Scrutiny meanwhile is increasing on the ties between BP and Energy Secretary Steven Chu. In 2007, BP awarded the bulk of a $500 million grant to the University of California, Berkeley laboratory where Chu was then director. Chu has worked closely with BP executives in the aftermath of the spill. BP’s former chief scientist, Steven Koonin, now works directly with Chu as undersecretary of energy for science. Koonin has been recused from any involvement with the spill response because of his BP ties.