EPA Temporarily Suspends BP From New Federal Contracts

More post-2010 spill spill over

The hammer continues to fall on British oil giant BP following the 2010 Gulf of Mexico rig explosion and oil spill as the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that the company has been temporarily suspended from  getting new contracts with the federal government — a move that could impact billions of dollars.

The EPA's move will affect at least some of BP's activity on the outer continental shelf, where it is among the largest oil and gas producers. For instance, while the suspension is in place, the government will not award the company any offshore drilling leases, including any that would have gone to BP during Wednesday's auction in New Orleans, an administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.