In May 2010 , Reilly was appointed co-chair of the body formed to study the British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon oil spill and related issues of offshore drilling , with former Florida governor and U.S. senator Bob Graham , a Democrat , as the other co-chair . President Obama met with the co-chairs for the first time June 1 . At that time , the president was quoted as saying of the co-chairs : " They have my full support to follow the facts wherever they lead , without fear or favor . " Appearing on the Diane Rehm Show the same day , congressman Ed Markey ( D-MA ) responded to the suggestion that an oil industry representative be appointed to the commission by pointing to Republican Reilly 's position with Conoco . The suggestion had been forwarded by John Breaux , former Democratic U.S. senator from Louisiana and lobbyist more recently for among others Shell Oil Company . Markey also opined that Congress ought to give subpoena power to the commission
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
William K. Reilly