Transocean argue that Chemical Safety Board does not have jurisdiction to investigate the case
Transocean’s challenge to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s ability to investigate the 2010 Deepwater Horizon rig explosion and resultingGulf oil spill gets a hearing in a Houston court on Wednesday. Transocean, the owner of the rig has argued that the Chemical Safety Board does not have jurisdiction to investigate offshore chemical spills.
The safety board contends it can investigate chemical releases and explosions both onshore and on the offshore outer continental shelf, which is where the Transocean rig was located when it exploded the night of April 20, 2010, killing 11 men onboard and beginning the largest accidental offshore oil spill in history.
Transocean has refused to honor the board’s investigative subpoenas and other requests for information, while other responsible parties, most notably BP, have not challenged the board’s authority, the board said. The board contends its investigation is seeking to cover ground not addressed by already completed investigations by the Interior Department, Coast Guard, Marianas Islands, a presidential panel, BP and others.
U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal will hear motions on the case Wednesday in Houston.
Source: David Hammer, The Times-Picayune
