Allen considers late Sept. exit from oil spill duty as long as well is killed and oil is gone

Oil spill’s top man considering late Sept. exit

NEW ORLEANS — The federal government’s point man on the oil spill in the Gulf is starting to finalize his plans for leaving the post.

Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said Wednesday he wants to get several things done before he leaves and hopes to turn the job over to someone else by the end of September.

Allen says first the oil well must be permanently sealed and there must be no oil on the water for some time.

He also wants to see a long-term report on how the recovery will take place and have someone in place to take over immediately.

Allen took over as national incident commander for the oil spill on May 1.