BP Suspended from Government Contracts
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JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — BP is being temporarily suspended from government contracts due to its “lack of business integrity,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The corporation pleaded guilty earlier this month to charges stemming from the 2010 explosion on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 workers. The counts include misconduct, violating the Clean Water Act, and lying to Congress about the amount of oil leaking into the Gulf. The resulting spill was the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history, according to the EPA.
“EPA is taking this action due to BP’s lack of business integrity as demonstrated by the company’s conduct with regard to the Deepwater Horizon blowout, explosion, oil spill, and response,” the agency said in a statement.
The suspension means BP cannot receive federal contracts or grants until the EPA deems its business practices acceptable.
The petroleum giant agreed to pay a $4.5 billion in penalties on Nov. 15. The Justice Department has also filed criminal charges against three BP employees in connection with the explosion.
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