The news that BP has at least for the time being shut down the flow of oil at the Deepwater Horizon site in the Gulf of Mexico prompted responses from a number of officials. Among the comments:

National incident commander Thad Allen:

"We're encouraged by this development, but this isn't over. Over the next several hours we will continue to collect data and work with the federal science team to analyze this information and perform additional seismic mapping runs in the hopes of gaining a better understanding on the condition of the well bore and options for temporary shut in of the well during a hurricane. It remains likely that we will return to the containment process using this new stacking cap connected to the risers to attempt to collect up to 80,000 barrels of oil per day until the relief well is completed."

Mobile, Ala., Mayor Sam Jones:

"We are excited and cautiously optimistic that the wellhead has been capped temporarily. However, there is still a lot of oil that has flowed into the Gulf. While the oil has stopped flowing for now, our coastline has already been significantly damaged, an effect we will feel along the Gulf Coast for years to come."

American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard

"The apparent success of BP's cap on the Deepwater Horizon well is an important accomplishment, and we welcome news that the oil spill has been stopped. We applaud the dedicated men and women who have worked tirelessly over the past 85 days, even as BP continues to work on a relief well, which will permanently cap the leak.

"The oil and natural gas industry remains committed to safe and environmentally responsible operations and we will continue to support BP and the crews who are working to clean up the oil in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Gulf Coast. We hope the administration can move forward quickly to resume deepwater offshore drilling activity, which would bolster economic development and reduce unemployment in the already hard-hit Gulf Coast communities."

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, who was meeting with BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles on Dauphin Island Thursday afternoon when the news broke:

"This is obviously good news and the answer to a lot of prayers, but this disaster is not over. It's not over for those whose livelihoods have been harmed and it's not over for our delicate coastal environment. Alabama, like the other states along the Gulf Coast, has suffered tremendous economic and environmental damage from this catastrophe. It will be years before our recovery is complete. Stopping the leak is merely the first step."