Whistleblower: BP aware of Cheating on Blowout Preventer Tests

I am following the probes into the causes of the Gulf oil rig explosion and this past week at a hearing before a House subcommittee, Henry Waxman said that the “blowout preventer” had a leak in a hydraulic system and had failed a negative pressure test hours before the explosion. Also, an oil rig whistleblower said BP had been aware for years that tests of blowout prevention devices were being falsified in Alaska. Here’s what’s irksome and curious about this information–this is perfect whistleblower fodder. Why the heck didn’t these people come forward sooner? The spill, which may continue to spew millions of gallons of oil into the precious waters off our southern coast will undoubtedly have a significant effect on our economy and long term damage to our environment. We need to create an environment where people aren’t afraid to report corporate wrongdoing and know they will be protected. More on this to come and creating the means to prevent government fraud.