Chilly reception from lawmakers expected for BP CEO who says he’s devastated by Gulf oil spill

BP CEO telling Congress he’s ‘devastated’ by spill

WASHINGTON — BP’s humbled CEO told Congress on Thursday he was “deeply sorry” for the company’s catastrophic oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. But a House panel chairman accused him of being oblivious to the risks of the company’s deepwater operations.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., told a grim-faced BP executive Tony Hayward that in his committee’s review of 30,000 items, there was “not a single e-mail or document that you paid even the slightest attention to the dangers at this well.”

A day after agreeing to a $20 billion victims’ compensation fund, Hayward told Congress in prepared testimony that he was “personally devastated” by the April explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that triggered the giant spill — and that he understands the anger that Americans feel toward him and his company.

Before beginning his own testimony, Hayward was buffeted by scathing criticism from lawmakers from both parties.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an atmosphere of high tension, a House panel has opened Congress’ first hearing with BP CEO Tony Hayward answering questions about the catastrophic Gulf Coast oil spill.

Hayward, sitting by himself at the witness table, is expected to be interrogated sharply by lawmakers about BP’s preparedness for such a massive spill and its failure to stop oil from spewing into the Gulf.

Lawmakers also want assurances that BP will compensate Gulf coast residents and businesses for oil spill damage.