Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and the attorneys general from four other states affected (or potentially affected) by oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico are looking for clarification of responsibility from all involved parties. Yesterday, the group of five state "top cops" sent letters to three British Petroleum executives and to the general counsels at Transocean, Halliburton Energy, and Cameron International, corporations directly associated to the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded and sank April 20 killing 11 workers.

The former oil drilling site continues to jet 210,000 gallons of crude into the Gulf daily, threatening the delicate ecosystem of the waters and shores of five states—Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas—and the livelihoods of thousands dependent on the Gulf's fishing and tourism industries. The attorneys general have requested that each of the companies detail its financial commitment to the current situation, and its plans to prevent future environmental, ecological and economic damage.

" At a time when local communities are struggling with budget shortfalls, coastal towns and cities cannot afford to fund the necessary mitigation and clean-up efforts. The same is true for each of our states. Yet without the necessary financial resources it will be impossible to both protect and restore the Gulf. As a result, we are focused on working—hopefully cooperatively—with BP and others to ensure that our state and local governments, as well as our citizens and communities, have access to the financial resources necessary to prevent further environmental degradation, mitigate future ecological damage, and fully restore the Gulf to its natural state, as well as to compensate for any economic losses suffered on an individual, corporate, and governmental level," the attorneys general wrote in the letters.

Hood is also hosting a meeting with BP United States General Council and his four fellow Gulf state attorneys general today.

"I want to make sure that I have a clear understanding with BP about how we are paid for all costs incurred by the State, local municipalities and governments and our citizens," Hood said in a statement. "I have already contacted the affected state agencies, municipalities and counties and requested that they advise us of any questions they may have, so we can get them some answers."

AGs letter to BP
AGs letter to Halliburton and Cameron
AGs letter to Transocean

Previous Comments

ID

157686

Comment

Potential damage? What potential damage? Remember what Rush Limbaugh said?: “The ocean will take care of this on its own if it was left alone and left out there,” Limbaugh said. “It’s natural. It’s as natural as the ocean water is.” Come on Jim Hood. What the hell is wrong is with you?! Didn't you hear what Rush said? It's natural! Stop pandering to the radical communist Obama-loving left! I bet that oil will be good for the fish. I mean, we cook the fish in oil don't we? Now we can have them pre-oiled! They'll probably wash up on the shore dead too, so everyone can just go pick them up and put them in their pot. No need to waste money on fishermen.

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-05-06T18:17:39-06:00

ID

157702

Comment

It's abut time for someone to start looking out for the interest of those who will be the most effected by this tragic occurance. People have lost lives, businesses and the "trickle down theory" from Reganomics is about to be actualized. DrumminD21311, your humor is amazing: "We cook the fish in oil, don't we." Yes we do. Have you applied for a try-out on Saturday Night Live? You would also make an excellent guest for the Bill Maher Show.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-05-07T12:16:10-06:00

ID

157703

Comment

Finally, my genius is acknowledged!!

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-05-07T13:11:46-06:00

ID

157738

Comment

All jokes aside: Did anyone see the ED Show last Friday? He talked about Gov. Barbour and Rush Lumbaugh. Ed said that both men were ignorant for there response to the oil spill.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-05-10T14:23:35-06:00

ID

157743

Comment

ED Show? What's that, the erectile dysfunction show? Something you're not telling us?

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-05-10T14:59:05-06:00

ID

157747

Comment

It's called the Ed Schultz Show. It's a talk show that comes on daily on MSNBC. DrumminD21311 you are soooooo funny!

Author

justjess

Date

2010-05-10T15:47:28-06:00

ID

157842

Comment

Somebody stole my freaking idea! click to view cartoon image When was this published?! It's mine!! Oh yeah, and Jess, are you single? I never got a response.

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-05-14T11:57:29-06:00

ID

157862

Comment

DrulmminD21311, Yes, I am single after many years of marriage. My spouse died of cancer seven years ago. I have 3 wonderful (grown) sons and five grands who keep me pretty busy. Thanks for asking. The cartoon is halarious! I can't remember the comedian now but he said, "Don't worry about the fish being pre-oiled, all you have to do now is add the meal."

Author

justjess

Date

2010-05-18T08:53:55-06:00