WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- British petroleum giant BP is ordered to provide more detailed information on claims from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, U.S. officials said.
U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, national incident commander for the Deepwater Horizon response, called for more transparency from BP in a letter to Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward.
The White House is backing legislation that would raise the cap on damages from oil spills from $75 million to $10 billion. That extension would cover claims from fisherman in the U.S. gulf and state revenue losses from the tourism industry, National Public Radio reports.
Allen in his letter to Hayward said the Deepwater Horizon spill was having a "devastating" effect on the coastal environment and regional economy.
Allen said he needed "complete, ongoing transparency" from BP on claims stemming from the oil spill.
"To that end, I am directing that you provide the NIC and appropriate representatives of state governments with information we need to meet our responsibilities to our citizens," the letter read.
The Coast Guard admiral said he needed more information from BP regarding compensation and how the company was working with state and local officials.
"We need more detail and openness from BP to full our oversight responsibilities to the American people and ensure that you are meeting your commitment to restore the Gulf Coast," he said.
