National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling
May 26, 2010
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: May 21, 2010
Published on: May 26, 2010
May 26, 2010
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: May 21, 2010
Published on: May 26, 2010
Summary
Creates a group to study the causes of the BP oil spill and suggest ways to prevent future offshore drilling accidents.
What problem does this solve?
The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill was a major disaster with unknown causes and widespread effects. This order creates a special group to find out what went wrong and recommend new rules to make offshore drilling safer.
What does this order do?
Establishes a national commission
Creates the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to investigate the disaster.
Defines the commission's mission
Requires the commission to examine the root causes of the spill and develop options to prevent and lessen the impact of future spills.
Requires a final public report
Mandates that the commission submit a final public report with its findings and recommendations to the President within 6 months of its first meeting.
Sets commission membership
Specifies that the commission will have up to 7 members appointed by the President, with two serving as Co-Chairs.
Grants authority to hold public hearings
Allows the commission to hold public hearings and request information from government officials, private companies, and others to carry out its mission.
Who does this affect?
- Oil and gas industry
- Coastal communities
- Federal regulatory agencies
What is the real world impact?
•
Provides an independent review of the disaster
Creates an expert panel to investigate the root causes of the oil spill, separate from ongoing government and industry responses. This ensures a focused, public-facing examination of what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again.
When does this start?
This order was effective on May 21, 2010, and sets specific deadlines for the commission's work.
Final report submission
The commission must submit its final report to the President within 6 months of its first meeting.
Commission termination
The commission will officially end 60 days after submitting its final report.