"The report concluded that there was still a gap in sampling in near-shore areas evidenced by the continuing discovery of tar mats, and said a group of researchers is now targeting that problem.
Scientists also are awaiting the results of more complex toxicity studies of water and sediment samples that will be the subject of an addendum to the report in early 2011, Zukunft said in a letter accompanying the report."
"Was the catastrophic accident that spilled oil from the Deepwater Horizon across the Gulf of Mexico, and disrupted coastal economies in four states, an unprecedented exception to an industry-wide record for safety and competence?
Not according to the Wall Street Journal.
That newspaper's ongoing investigation of the spill and the oil industry indicates, instead, that only luck has prevented more such catastrophes.
It also paints a picture of an industry still in denial about the true risks of offshore drilling — especially the deepwater resources now the primary target of offshore exploration — and how well it is managing those risks."
"Since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded April 20, rescue officials say 2,079 birds, 456 sea turtles, some terrapins and two dolphins have been plucked from the oil.
Another 2,263 birds, 18 turtles and four dolphins were found dead with oil on them. All are being dissected to tell whether it was the crude from the BP well that killed them."
"On June 10, the Emerald Coast Chapter was one of the first local volunteer organizations to begin a Gulf Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program in response to the minimal efforts made by state and federal agencies to monitor against the dangers of the offshore oil drilling spill. Local surfers and swimmers have suffered from burning eyes and mouths, blistering noses and have developed acid-type rashes since the spill. They want to know what is in the water that might be causing these symptoms.
These samples are analyzed for the presence of several different hydrocarbons that are most likely to be found at Florida's beaches this far away from the original spill site given the amount of time that has passed since the spill. The samples are also being tested for propylene glycol and 2-butoxyethanol, which are common ingredients of chemical dispersants, such as those used to break up the BP oil spill in the Gulf. We have also performed some follow-up testing for Corexit specific chemicals."
"Real estate professionals began reporting lost income soon after oil hit the coast from the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion on April 20.
Mississippi got $1.5 million, while Alabama and Florida got $15 million and $16 million respectively. "
"Clearly, the oil and gas industry believes it can wield its tremendous influence in Congress to overturn needed precautions put in place by our federal authorities. And given the Senate's complete failure to pass any legislation responding to an oil disaster that killed 11 workers, injured 17 more, and led to a loss of livelihood for hundreds, if not thousands of families who depend on the now-poisoned Gulf waters, it is easy to understand why the industry feels so emboldened.
Already, key reforms to address the regulatory lapses that led to the Gulf tragedy, that previously had broad support, are now held out as too burdensome on the industry. On Tuesday, Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) sent a letter opposing a provision added to an appropriations bill that would give the Interior Department more time to review drilling permits for exploratory wells – the exact type of well that blew in the Gulf. "
The mat was about 600 feet wide and very narrow, Tim Tucker, Orange Beach public works director, said. Tucker said BP crews removed about 8,000 pounds of material today and would be back at work on Saturday."
"If opening more areas of the eastern gulf and Atlantic would, as proponents assert, help push the United States toward energy independence, then the benefits might outweigh the risks. It is just no so. These areas hold significant reserves, but they would produce a minuscule amount of fuel in comparison with U.S. demand.
The Energy Information Administration estimates the United States has less than 3 percent of the world's proven oil reserves. The nation uses 25 percent of the world's oil.
As the Obama administration finally concluded, in the absence of meaningful energy and conservation legislation, the off-limits supplies in the eastern gulf and near Atlantic are meaningless -- except for the risks that tapping them would create."
