May 23, 2010
Oil spill postsAPRIL 20, rig explosion, kills 11.
APRIL 22 rig sank, fire extinguished.
MAY 2 POTUS shows up.
All the while, BP refused to release video of the leak – even though they have always had a LIVE feed – so they could continue to mislead folks about the magnitude of the leak.
Once the initial video was released (MAY 11), Professor Wereley came forward and challenged the veracity of BP’s estimate (5K), which forced BP to admit their estimate was too low. Which led to the selection of a team of non-involved scientists to come up with as accurate a flow rate as possible based on the LIVE feed that was made available on MAY 20. An entire month after the explosion.
And what exactly has the federal govt been doing besides nothing?
Here’a a “Summary of the Federal Government’s Role in BP’s Effort to Stop the BP Oil Leak” from the WH blog, posted on MAY 21 by HEIDI AVERY, WH Deputy Homeland Security Advisor. Note how she used “BP” in the title twice.
Specifics?
AVERY: Nobody in this government will be satisfied until BP stops the leak, the oil is cleaned up and the affected people along the Gulf are fully compensated.
BP’s responsibility:
BP, as a responsible party, is charged with capping their leaking oil well and paying for the response and recovery. After Exxon Valdez, and through the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, no longer can a company cause a disaster like this and then expect the taxpayers to clean up their mess.
Who, what, where and when?
However, the USG, as led by the Department of Homeland Security with Admiral Thad Allen serving as the National Incident Commander, is overseeing these actions.
What actions where?
In addition, the Federal On Scene Coordinator Rear Admiral Mary Landry coordinates the response on the front line, oversees BP’s efforts, and directs additional actions where necessary.
Specifics?
Since the Deepwater Horizon exploded on April 20th, the United States government has taken and will continue to take an all hands on deck posture to ensure we are doing everything we can to help BP stop this leak.
Why haven’t they done anything?
With the source being 5,000 feet under the ocean’s surface, this has been extremely difficult and the oil companies are the only ones who have the equipment for this.
A month in:
Government scientists and engineers are currently working with BP to use the best, most advanced technology that exists to try to stop the flow of oil as quickly as possible.
Thinking vs DOing:
The Department of Energy has engaged some of the world’s top scientific and engineering minds from Sandia, Los Alamos and Livermore Labs—to lend their expertise. These government scientists are reviewing every plan on the table, validating those that are moving forward and providing additional expertise and input on new tactics.
Can you now name what the federal government did/is doing and why they waited so long to provide this “summary”?
