US oil spill commission takes shape

 

 

The oil leak began more than a month ago, when a rig leased by BP exploded

Two political veterans are expected to head a US commission investigating a huge oil spill, amid criticism of the government's response.

Reports say former Democratic Senator Bob Graham and William Reilly, who once served as environment chief for the Republicans, will lead the inquiry.

President Barack Obama's administration has been forced to defend its record in dealing with the spill.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs said the government was doing all it could.

Growing anger

The oil leak began more than a month ago, when a rig leased by BP exploded.

The spill has reached Louisiana and is threatening Florida and Cuba.

So far, BP has borne the brunt of public outrage over the spill, but analysts say there is now also a growing sense of anger towards the government.

During a heated news conference, Mr Gibbs denied that the government had "just stood there and hoped for the best".

"There's nothing that we think can and should be done that isn't being done. Nothing," he said.

But he acknowledged that only the oil company had the technology to address the emergency 5,000ft (1,500m) beneath the waves.

Familiar model

The inquiry, which was announced earlier in the week, is expected to range from what caused the leak to the safety of drilling for oil offshore more generally.

With the choice Mr Graham and Mr Reilly, President Obama has chosen a model similar to other investigative commissions, such as the one that probed the 1986 Challenger space shuttle explosion.

Mr Reilly was the Environmental Protection Agency administrator under President George Bush Sr, while Mr Graham served in the senate from 1987-2005.

The White House is expected to make an official announcement on the commission Saturday.