WASHINGTON - September 15 - “Yesterday, the U.S. government released a report in part faulting BP’s cost cutting measures for the safety hazards that led to the Deepwater Horizon explosion last year. This is further proof we must shut down BP Atlantis, another disaster waiting to happen in the Gulf of Mexico.

“What’s more, citizens who are concerned about hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, should be aware that BP is the fifth largest player in the U.S. natural gas industry, which is dominated by the largest oil and gas industry interests, including Exxon Mobil, Conoco Phillips, and Chevron. These are the companies that are insisting that fracking is safe. Furthermore, BP has invested in Reliance Industries, an Indian company with its sights set on the Marcellus Shale. According to our recent analysis, fracked gas—and the profits from it—will increasingly flow oversees, especially to huge energy markets in China and India.

“Regulation of deepwater drilling failed, and continues to fail, when it comes to ensuring safety. We can anticipate more of the same with fracking. Do we want the same people who brought us Deepwater Horizon to frack our rural communities? President Obama and Governor Cuomo must ask themselves this question as they make critical decisions about whether or not to allow fracking near key drinking water sources.”