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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Several hearings on the still-gushing oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico are set for this week.

Lawmakers who flew over the Gulf on Friday came away shocked at the magnitude of the problem. Now they want straight answers not only from the oil industry but also the relevant government agencies as to what went awry and why.

Officials from BP, Halliburton and Transocean are to appear before lawmakers.

Other witnesses will talk about the effect the spill is having on local economies, wildlife and the environment.

Meanwhile, BP says it may try the containment box idea again in an effort to stem the flow of gushing oil, but with a smaller box.

Read More:

BP says oil spill costs $350 million so far, shares hit (Reuters)

BP 'may stem oil with golf balls and tyres' (BBC News)

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