GULF OIL DISASTER
Officials Optimistic That Cement Will Kill BP Well
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/us/01spill.html
BP to Start Permanent Plugging of Damaged Gulf Well This Week
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-01/bp-will-begin-permanent-plug-of-macondo-well-in-gulf-of-mexico-this-week.html
Despite anger over BP spill, Washington might not act
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/30/1754254/despite-anger-over-bp-spill-washington.html#ixzz0vCxgVGRH
“Congress is considering stricter regulation of oil exploration, and the Obama administration has pledged to overhaul the disgraced federal agency that oversees oil drilling. Already, however, some of the toughest proposals are facing stiff opposition from Republicans and some Gulf Coast Democrats whose constituents rely on the oil industry for jobs. The oil industry also is likely to fight the changes. It contributed more than $35 million to federal political candidates and parties in the 2008 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan watchdog group.”
US House passes oil spill response bills
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jstnjKnpzibrugZe95yAohMW7DRw
“Both measures [The Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act and the Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act] approved as the House went into a six-week recess set to stretch to mid-September -- face an uncertain fate in the Senate.”
Also see: House approves oil spill legislation and Senate Aims To Pass Energy Bill Before Recess
Step One to Hold Big Oil Accountable
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-earl-blumenauer/step-one-to-hold-big-oil_b_665614.html
Feds set drilling safety forums
http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20100730/BUSINESS/7300320/1046
WILDLIFE, HUMAN AND ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS
Scientists: BP dispersants have made spill more toxic
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38415786/ns/nightly_news-nbc_news_investigates/
“Sawyer told NBC News that the findings are troubling. "We now have compelling evidence that the dispersant has enhanced and increased the toxicity from the spill," he said. Last week, a group of independent scientists called for an "immediate halt" to the use of dispersants. In what was called a "consensus statement," they warned that dispersants pose "grave risks to marine life and human health."”
Scientists Find Evidence That Oil And Dispersant Mix Is Making Its Way Into The Foodchain
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/29/scientists-find-evidence_n_664298.html
“Marine biologists started finding orange blobs under the translucent shells of crab larvae in May, and have continued to find them "in almost all" of the larvae they collect, all the way from Grand Isle, Louisiana, to Pensacola, Fla. -- more than 300 miles of coastline -- said Harriet Perry, a biologist with the University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. And now, a team of researchers from Tulane University using infrared spectrometry to determine the chemical makeup of the blobs has detected the signature for Corexit, the dispersant BP used so widely in the Deepwater Horizon [spill response.]”
Not Even Gulf Fishermen Buy The Government's 'Smell Test' Policy On Oil-Exposed Seafood
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/02/gulf-oil-spill-seafood-smell-test_n_667166.html
Coast Guard 'rubber-stamped' toxic dispersant use
http://blogs.chron.com/newswatchenergy/archives/2010/07/coast_guard_rub.html#more
Allen 'satisfied' with dispersant use in Gulf oil disaster
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/01/gulf.oil.spill/index.html
DEEPWATER DRILLING MORATORIUM
Salazar tours rigs, keeps drill ban
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hV64upZTXqPz9oNOH0ftwIl3RdgwD9HA26GO1
ALABAMA
65% in Alabama Support Offshore Oil Drilling, 59% Favor Deepwater Drilling
This is in stark contrast to polls in CA and NJ, where residents were strongly opposed to new offshore oil drilling.
FLORIDA
Poll: Voters want say over offshore drilling
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/30/1754744/poll-voters-want-say-over-offshore.html
Gulf oil spill town hall meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at USF St. Pete – Tuesday, August 3
The headline says Wednesday, but evidently the meeting is Tuesday,
