"Panel: Gov't Blocked Worst-Case Oil Spill Figures"

"The White House blocked efforts by federal scientists to tell the public just how bad the Gulf oil spill could have been, according to a panel appointed by President Barack Obama to investigate the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history.

In documents released Wednesday, the national oil spill commission's staff reveals that in late April or early May the White House budget office denied a request from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to make public the worst-case discharge from the blown-out well. The Unified Command — the government team in charge of the spill response — also was discussing the possibility of making the numbers public, the report says, citing interviews with government officials.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment."

Dina Cappiello reports for the Associated Press October 6, 2010.

SEE ALSO:

"White House Blocked BP Oil Spill Estimates: Panel" (Reuters)

"Spill Commission Report Details Failures of Administration's 'Oil Budget'" (Washington Independent)

"'Not an Incidental Public Relations Problem'" (Mother Jones)

"White House Suppressed Oil-Flow Estimates, Federal Commission Reports" (NPR)