Specifically, the newly-formed Gulf Coast Restoration Organization will:

• continue executing clean-up operations and all associated remediation activities;
  
• coordinate with government officials, including with the National Incident Commander, Admiral Thad Allen, and the governors and local officials in the Gulf States, to meet BP's commitments as effectively and efficiently as possible;
  
• keep the public informed of BP's clean-up and remediation activities;
  
• implement the $20 billion escrow account that BP announced as evidence of its commitment to compensate those individuals, businesses, and others who have been impacted by the spill; and
  
• continue to evaluate the spill's impact on the environment.

Under this structure, BP's Gulf States response activities, which are centered in the Unified Command with the Coast Guard in New Orleans, will now report directly to Mr. Dudley.

''The response to the incident in the Gulf of Mexico continues to be BP's highest priority,'' said Mr. Hayward. ''Our commitment to the Gulf States is for the long-term. And that requires a more permanent sustainable organization to see it through.'' On his selection of Mr. Dudley to lead the new organization, Mr. Hayward commented, ''having grown up in Mississippi, Bob has a deep appreciation and affinity for the Gulf Coast, and believes deeply in BP's commitment to restore the region.''

''I look forward to engaging immediately with the Unified Command and with stakeholders across the region,'' said Mr. Dudley. ''In the near term, my focus will be on listening to stakeholders, so we can address concerns and remove obstacles that get in the way of our effectiveness. And we'll build an organization that over the longer term fulfils BP's commitments to the restore the livelihoods and the environment of the Gulf Coast.''