BP Claims Fund Chief to Visit Alabama

The fund czar overseeing the payment of claims for damage caused by the Gulf oil spill is headed to Orange Beach next week for a town meeting.

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon told WKRG-TV that fund administrator Ken Feinberg will appear Tuesday at the town’s recreation center. A meeting time hasn’t been set.

Feinberg has other meetings scheduled next week in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley has called the oil spill claims process “extortion.” Riley said he was concerned that underpayments will force businesses to sign away the right to sue BP PLC.

The spill began after an April 20 explosion destroyed a BP-leased drilling rig, killing 11 workers. The U.S. government estimates the well leaked more than 200 million gallons of oil.