Saturday, May 15, 2010

BP Trying Again to Stop The Disaster They Caused

British Petroleum continues their quest to stem the geyser of oil polluting the Gulf of Mexico.  The latest scheme is to insert a pipe inside the broken pipe to siphon off the oil.  That hasn't been easy using robots at the bottom of the sea.  Meanwhile, at the surface oil soaked wildlife is starting to show up along the US coastline in alarming numbers. 

Personally, I think everyone has been soft peddling this disaster.  The sheer volume of oil bubbling up into one of the world's most productive fisheries is going to have a big impact on the US economy and the lively hood of not only fishermen, but the entire gulf coast.  I have heard harsh words from Washington, now if they will only follow them up with action. 

First stop the leak.  Then once a relief well is drilled by BP to siphon off the oil and essentially dry up the gushing broken well head, the government needs to either confiscate the entire operation as a criminal enterprise since they did not have a permit and were knowingly using defective equipment or fine BP enough to pay for the damages. That is going to be a LOT of money, maybe even enough to put them out of business.

Offshore drilling needs to be reevaluated and monitored much more closely.  Otherwise the Gulf of Mexico will end up as a stinking dead cesspool of petroleum waste.

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