Oil spill tourism losses might be denied, says BP oil claims chief

On day 72 of the disaster Thursday, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 became the worst oil spill ever within the region. Cleanup efforts came to a halt his week as Hurricane Alex increased the amount of oil washing ashore. Tourism within the gulf, normally booming on 4th of July weekend, isn't expected this year. To make matters worse, government overseer Kenneth Feinberg warned that BP oil claims for oil spill tourism losses may be denied. On the scene, the oil spill cap continues to function in the storm, but only about 25 percent of the gushing crude is being contained.

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BP claims – oil spill tourism losses in question

The head of the $ 20 billion BP oil claims program had more bad news as 4th of July tourism was declared dead for 4th of July weekend. USA Today reports that companies hurt because tourists have stayed away from the Gulf may not be eligible for reimbursement as outlined by Kenneth Feinberg, the man appointed by the Obama administration to deal with the claims. People in the gulf tourism industry argue the BP oil spill has scared away tourists and already cost billions. In a statement to the House Small company Committee, Feinberg said that claims made by companies that say tourists are staying away because they think beaches are ruined "may be non-compensatory".

Feinberg's priorities are bigger checks and better claims process

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continues to gush up to 60,000 barrels a day, a team of U.S. scientists has estimated. About 6,000 oil skimming ships are languishing in port thanks to Hurricane Alex. As the environmental and economic disaster spreads with no end in sight, CNN reports that Feinberg said his priorities could be to cut bigger checks and send them out faster to the oil spill’s economic victims. The oil company has paid out almost $ 130 million so far on 41,000 claims — but more than 80,000 claims are submitted. Instead of the month-to-month emergency checks going out now, Feinberg plans to have his new entity, the Gulf Spill Independent Claims Fund, send out six-month lump sum payments “to give small companies more certainty”.

Worst oil disaster warrants biggest fine

As the oil that has spilled for two and a half months turns the Gulf of Mexico's white beaches brown and kills both wildlife and also the fishing industry, The Associated Press reports that BP's blowout has passed the 140-million gallon Ixtoc 1 spill off the coast of Mexico 30 years ago. Keeping track of the growing total is very important, according to Larry McKinney, director of Texas A and M University at Corpus Christi’s Gulf of Mexico research institute, who told AP that BP's fine grows along with the gallons.

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