BP CEO Tony Hayward appeared before Congress on Thursday for the first time since the BP oil rig explosion that sparked the worst environmental disaster in US history. Testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Hayward repeatedly denied personal responsibility for the decisions that led to the explosion and the subsequent environmental catastrophe. Questioned by Democratic Congress member Ed Markey, Hayward also continued to downplay findings of large oil plumes in the Gulf sea.

Rep. Ed Markey: “Are there plumes of oil beneath the ocean surface?”

Tony Hayward: “There are concentrations of oil of about 0.5 parts per million in the water column. Some of it is related to this spill. Other samples have been typed to other oil.”

Rep. Ed Markey: “So you do not define that as a plume?”

Tony Hayward: “I think —- I’m not an oceanographic scientist, but what we know is that there is low concentration -—”

Ed Markey: “I’m going to take it as a continuing 'no' from you, and your testimony continues to be at odds against all independent scientists.”