President Barack Obama promised to hold BP Plc accountable for their actions in causing the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and called for a national effort to reduce US reliance on fossil fuels. In a televised address, Obama stated that the government would do everything necessary to address the spill and make BP compensate for the damage. Obama's speech, which focused on the crisis, aimed to restore confidence in his leadership amidst concerns that it could overshadow his efforts to address unemployment and financial reform. The way Obama handles this disaster will impact BP, offshore drilling policies, and climate change legislation in Congress. Obama called on Americans to take advantage of the current opportunity to end their reliance on fossil fuels, but did not provide a detailed plan or timeline for achieving this goal. He expressed support for comprehensive energy legislation that addresses greenhouse gas emissions and believes putting a price on carbon pollution is crucial. However, he did not specifically mention climate change in his speech, likely due to political challenges. Obama is open to suggestions from both Democrats and Republicans to reduce America's dependence on oil, but stated that inaction is not an acceptable approach. Obama's decision to address the nation from the Oval Office highlighted the seriousness of the situation, a tradition followed by past presidents in response to national tragedies. The upcoming congressional election year raises the question of whether Obama can satisfy frustrated voters while his party's control is at stake. Polls indicate that many Americans believe Obama has been insufficiently engaged and firm in his handling of the crisis and BP. In an effort to counter criticism of his leadership, Obama took a tough stance towards BP, though he stopped short of repeating his previous statement about wanting to hold someone accountable. He stated that he would be meeting with the chairman of BP the following day to instruct him to allocate the necessary resources to compensate those who have been affected by the company's negligence. The fund for compensation will be managed independently to ensure that all valid claims are paid out fairly and promptly. Oil company executives acknowledged at a congressional hearing that BP did not follow industry standards in constructing the deep-sea well that caused the massive oil spill on April 20. Despite attempts by other oil companies to distance themselves from BP, Democratic lawmakers criticized industry plans for handling deepwater oil disasters as inadequate. Investors were hoping that Obama would kick-start alternative energy initiatives like solar, wind, and geothermal that are currently stalled in Congress. Prior to his speech, shares in US solar companies increased. During his first televised address from the Oval Office, Obama aimed to demonstrate his control over the oil spill crisis that has challenged his presidency and overshadowed his efforts to address US unemployment and Wall Street reform. Recent public opinion polls suggest that many Americans believe Obama has not been sufficiently engaged in handling the spill, prompting him to face significant pressure to exhibit stronger leadership. Furthermore, a team of US scientists recently raised their estimate of the amount of crude oil flowing from the well by 50 percent, emphasizing the need for immediate action.