GULF OIL DISASTER
Study finds massive flux of gas, in addition to liquid oil, at BP well blowout in Gulf
"A new University of Georgia study that is the first to examine comprehensively the magnitude of hydrocarbon gases released during the Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico oil discharge has found that up to 500,000 tons of gaseous hydrocarbons were emitted into the deep ocean. The authors conclude that such a large gas discharge—which generated concentrations 75,000 times the norm—could result in small-scale zones of "extensive and persistent depletion of oxygen" as microbial processes degrade the gaseous hydrocarbons."
Paying to fix Louisiana's coast: An editorial
"The authors of "Beyond Recovery: Moving the Gulf Coast Toward a Sustainable Future" -- which was done by Oxfam and the Center for American Progress -- urge Congress to direct 80 percent of fines under the Clean Water Act to coastal recovery."
Deep drills set for Gulf - Regulator says the first permits since BP oil spill about to be issued ENERGY: Blowout systems tested
"Five permits for new wells are pending, he said, but they are held up primarily by requirements that the industry finish building systems capable of responding to a subsea blowout like last year's.
An industry consortium, formed by oil majors including Exxon Mobil, Shell, ConocoPhillips and Chevron, is expected to conduct testing this month on a capping stack that could handle a blowout like the one at BP's Macondo well that triggered last year's disaster, Bromwich said."
Hearing focuses on environmental aspects of drilling
This is from one of a series of hearings along the Gulf Coast, in Alaska, and in Virginia. See the complete list of hearings here, as well as background information and some talking points.
