Gulf coast oil spill

[classicman]

For those that don't click on the links - this is from the article referenced by Wiki.

In applying for the lease, BP wrote in its "Exploration Plan" that it had "blowout prevention equipment" and that the "likelihood of a blowout was so remote that this possibility could be discounted entirely," the complaint states.
BP added that "in the event of an accidental release, the water quality would be temporarily affected by the dissolved components and small droplets" but that "(c)urrents and microbial degradation would remove the oil from the water column or dilute the constituents to background levels." BP anticipated "no adverse impact" to marine life, birds or beaches.
Defenders says that MMS granted "categorical exclusion" to BP, which meant it did not have to file an environmental impact statement. The MMS simply told BP to "(e)xercise caution when drilling." It did not explain why BP was given the exclusion, according to the complaint.