The oil giant responsible for the largest spill in U.S. history has announced that it will give the state of Louisiana millions to be used for clean-up efforts.
Louisiana Congressman Joseph Cao (R) said on Monday night that BP has agreed to give various state agencies a total of $218 million. According to Cao, the state’s Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism will get $30 million, while $48 will go to seafood safety and promotion programs. The remaining $140 will fund the future construction of barrier islands and other coastal restoration programs.
Cao called the announcement by BP a “step in the right direction.”
“Having pushed BP for months to expedite recovery of the oil spill, I am delighted that BP will help with rebuilding efforts here at home, especially in regards to travel and tourism in Louisiana…BP’s allocation of funds is a step in the right direction.”
The news follows a report that BP earned a $1.7 billion profit in the third quarter of this year. BP officials recently divulged that the spill’s cost to the company has already exceeded $40 billion.