Lawmaker seeks BP, other oil companies for hearing on oil spill

Lawmaker seeks BP, other oil companies for hearing

WASHINGTON — The chairman of a House committee has asked the heads of BP PLC and four other oil companies to testify at a hearing on the massive oil spill in the Gulf Coast.

Massachusetts Democrat Edward J. Markey, who chairs the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, sent a notice to the nation’s five largest oil companies. In addition to the spill, the hearing will look at energy policy and gas prices.

The oil spill is now expected to reach the Gulf Coast within a day.

Besides BP, the notices were sent to Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, Shell and Chevron.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., introduced legislation blocking the Interior Department from conducting seismic tests in the Atlantic Ocean as part of its plan to expand offshore drilling.