GULF OIL DISASTER
Scientists Clash Over Amount of Oil in Gulf
BP official: Industry, government not prepared for oil spill
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/09/27/101212/bp-official-industry-government.html#ixzz10w2qO6bm
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/09/27/101212/bp-official-industry-government.html#ixzz10w2qO6bm
Why didn't BP oil hit East Coast?
"According to ocean scientist Nick Shay of the University of Miami, the Loop Current shed an "eddy" (nicknamed "Eddy Franklin"), in late June that pulled the northernmost point of the current far south of the spill site: "Certainly it was a good thing for South Florida. The Loop Current was an express train that would have brought oil our way.""
Four lessons from BP oil spill
Legislative Summary from NRDC
"A vote on the oil spill legislation that stalled in the Senate before the August recess (S. 3663) is also unlikely to occur before the November elections, but senators continue to introduce new proposals to address the spill. On 9/16, Senate Finance Committee chair Baucus (D-MT) introduced a package of tax-cut extensions to renew dozens of provisions that expired at the end of last year (S. 3793); the legislation would increase the 8-cent per barrel fee that oil companies pay into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to 78 cents per barrel. The bill also would increase the amount the fund could spend on any spill from $1 billion to $5 billion. In late May, the House passed a measure (H.R. 4213) that would have raised the per barrel fee to 34 cents, but the provision was dropped before that bill became law."
WILDLIFE, HUMAN AND ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS
Report -
"America's Gulf Coast: A Long-Term Recovery Plan After The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill"
Highlights:
- The report recommends Congress dedicate a "significant amount" of the Clean Water Act penalties that will be paid by BP and others to the Gulf region. Normally, these penalties would be paid into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for use in future disasters.
- The report recommends the establishment of a Gulf Coast Recovery Council to administer the restoration funds. The Council would have a federal and state chair and consist of federal, state, tribal, and local representatives. The Council would coordinate its activities with the Natural Resources Damage Trustee Council.
- The report recommends dedicating a portion of the Clean Water Act penalties directly to the states.
Stress of oil spill still lingering in Orange Beach, Alabama
La. coast hit by more oil
ALASKA
Begich eyes hardball with White House to push Alaska drilling
"Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) might use Sen. Mary Landrieu's (D-La.) playbook to force the White House to clarify its policy on oil-and-gas drilling off his state's coast, telling reporters he hasn't ruled out blocking an administration nominee over the issue."
ALTERNATIVES TO OIL
