Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB NHL Golf Horse Racing Tennis Col. Football Col. Basketball
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features Archives
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Archive Almanac
About Feedback
About Feedback
Search
Trending
National emergency
Netflix
SpaceX
Venezuela
Mark Consuelos
Jussie Smollett
Michael Cohen
Biggest bee
Dog church
TXT
JAXA
Slideshow
Thumbnails
View all
News Photos News Photos
Updated: June 16, 2010 at 3:18 PM

President Obama responds to Gulf oil crisis(10 images)

WASHINGTON, June 16 (UPI) -- Although the heart of U.S. President Barack Obama's Tuesday speech was the gulf oil spill, there was room to seek support for parts of his legislative agenda.

Obama used his prime-time address from the Oval Office to plug an energy bill before the U.S. Senate (similar legislation passed the House of Representatives last June), saying, "The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean-energy future is now."

The president also said he appointed a former Justice Department official to lead the Minerals Management Service and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to develop a "long-term strategy for the gulf."

Before the speech Republicans warned it shouldn't be used as a political platform but Obama, nonetheless, used the opportunity to demand action on the energy bill.

"The one approach I will not accept is inaction," the president said.

On Wednesday, President Obama announced BP has agreed to set up a $20 billion fund to compensate those affected by the gulf oil spill.

Obama met with BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg at the White House to discuss the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico since the Transocean oil rig operated by BP exploded April 20, killing 11, and sank two days later, spewing as much as 60,000 barrels of oil a day every since.

BP said in a statement Tuesday: "We share the president's goal of shutting off the well as quickly as possible, cleaning up the oil and mitigating the impact on the people and environment of the Gulf Coast."

BP announced Tuesday it sped up commercial large-loss claims and approved checks totaling more than $16 million to businesses that have filed claims of at least $5,000.

U.S. President Barack Obama is pictured moments after addressing the American people about the Gulf of Mexico oil crisis, his first prime time address from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC, on June 15, 2010. Obama used the speech to demand accountability from BP and to call for a comprehensive energy bill. UPI/Jim lo Scalzo/Pool
License photo | Permalink

U.S. President Barack Obama is pictured moments after addressing the American people about the Gulf of Mexico oil crisis, his first prime time address from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC, on June 15, 2010. Obama used the speech to demand accountability from BP and to call for a comprehensive energy bill. UPI/Jim lo Scalzo/Pool
License photo | Permalink


Carl-Henric Svanberg, BP Chairman, speaks to the media following his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington on June 16, 2010. Behind him are BP CEO Tony Hayward, BP Managing Director Bob Dudley and BP America CEO Lamar McKay (R to L). UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg
License photo | Permalink

Carl-Henric Svanberg, BP Chairman, speaks to the media following his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington on June 16, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg
License photo | Permalink


U.S. President Barack Obama makes statement to the media regarding his meeting with top BP officials in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on June 16, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg
License photo | Permalink

U.S. President Barack Obama makes statement to the media regarding his meeting with top BP officials in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on June 16, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg
License photo | Permalink


BP CEO Tony Hayward (C), BP Managing Director Bob Dudley (R), and BP America CEO Lamar McKay (L) depart after their meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington on June 16, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg
License photo | Permalink

Most Popular

Jussie Smollett released on $100K bail after arrest
Netflix: What's coming and going in March 2019
Pope Francis lays out 'concrete measures' to stop church sex abuse
Kim Jong Un visit could restore old ties with Vietnam
Peter Tork, bassist for the Monkees, dead at 77

Latest News

Duke Blue Devils' Zion Williamson day-to-day with Grade 1 knee sprain
Judge: Prosecutors broke law by concealing Jeffrey Epstein plea deal
Warriors' DeMarcus Cousins rips NCAA, offers Zion Williamson advice
Baltimore Ravens, DB Tavon Young agree to contract extension
New Orleans Saints releasing veteran safety Kurt Coleman
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
Sections
Top NewsWorld NewsU.S. NewsEntertainment NewsSports News
News PhotosOdd NewsDefense NewsEnergy News
Science NewsHealth NewsUPI Archives UPI Espanol
United Press International
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy