BP v. EPA

Following BP’s indictment and guilty pleas for criminal offenses relating to the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suspended BP as a federal contractor as permitted by federal laws that provide for suspension and debarment of contractors who engage in crimes or other misconduct. BP filed suit in a federal district court, challenging EPA’s actions, including its extension of the suspensions to BP affiliates. Public Citizen filed an amicus curiae memorandum supporting EPA’s arguments that the scope of the suspension was proper under the clear terms of governing laws and regulations. EPA ultimately reached an agreement with BP to lift the suspension, and the issues were never resolved by the court.