Is BP really environmentally friendly?

Everyone's seen the commercials and the blinding yellow and green signs outside this popular gas station BP. BP is known to be environmentally friendly, a "green" gas station. I went to their official Website to take a look at what makes them so environmentally friendly. Under their goals and values, the first one I saw was "business and to maximize long-term shareholder value by selling goods and services." Sounds like just another fuel company to me. Toward the bottom of their goals and values, they mention "Our values include aspirations to conduct environmentally sound operations and to overcome the perceived trade-off between global access to heat, light and mobility and the protection and improvement of the natural environment."

Something that caught my eye was a CBS news article titled "Former BP Exec Pleads The Fifth
Amid House Probe On Alaskan Oil Spill, Pipeline's Monitor Stays Silent." I couldn't pass this up. I am a BP customer mainly for the embarassing reason that I like the gas station's colors. As you can see above, I also found gas at a Fort Lauderdale BP for $2.71 per gallon the other day. Talk about a deal.

However, the article above discussed how former BP executive Richard C. Woollam refused to answer questions under oath to a House subcommittee that is investigating the largest oil spill this year in North Slope, Alaska allegedly due to lack of pipeline corrosion monitoring. "Lawmakers said BP's mistakes in Alaska — as well as its responsibility for a deadly refinery fire last spring — were particularly unacceptable given the industry's record profits and the relatively inexpensive measures that might have prevented the oil spill."

Many BP employees were claiming that they warned Woollam at the time that the pipes needed refurbishment since he was in control of their monitoring. Many were afraid of Woolam's authoritative attitude, CBS said. BP is planning investigations of corroded pipelines and the estimated cost of maintenance will be $195 million. Woollam is currently on paid leave and is undergoing counseling, CBS news reported.

I find it ridiculous that this man is still affiliated with this company, even if he is not supervising anymore. He did not perform his job and it resulted in an oil spill, which affects the environment and costs to consumers. If BP has to come up with almost $200 million, it is sure to be from a hike in gas prices.

My point? Gas prices are part of a much larger political and social environment. What happens in South Florida can be a result of actions in Alaska or Iraq.