Feds Press BP on Funding Gulf Cleanup

BP is not doing enough to remedy the effects of the oil spill created when one of its offshore drilling facilities exploded, and the federal government plans to pressure the company to fund and complete the cleanup of the crude-choked Gulf of Mexico. "We cannot rest and will not rest until BP permanently secures the well head and cleans up every drop of oil," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said today after taking an aerial tour of the affected area with Janet Napolitano.

"BP as the responsible party must fund cleanup costs," the Homeland Security secretary told the TImes-Picayune. "We will continue to push BP to engage in the strongest possible response to ensure protection of wildlife and lands." Gov. Bobby Jindal said the company and the state and federal governments face "three challenges: stopping the leak, protecting the coast and cleaning the coast."