"EPA Halts Federal Contracts For BP"

"The Obama administration put a temporary stop to new federal contracts with British oil company BP on Wednesday, citing the company's 'lack of business integrity' and criminal proceedings stemming from the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010. The action by the Environmental Protection Administration won't affect current contracts, but prevents BP and its affiliates from new government contracts 'until the company can provide sufficient evidence to EPA demonstrating that it meets federal business standards,' the agency said."



"'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.

In London, BP said it had no immediate comment but expected to make a statement later Wednesday."

Josh Lederman reports for the Associated Press had the story November 28, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"EPA Suspends BP From Government Contracts" (E2 Wire/The Hill)

"In Suspending BP, EPA Does What Drilling Regulators Would Not" (Houston Chronicle blog/Loren Steffy)

"BP Is Barred From Taking Government Contracts" (New York Times)

"U.S. Bans BP From New Government Contracts After Spill Deal" (Reuters)
 

Source: AP, 11/29/2012