[Niobaralegra]

That's one of the best ways to send oil companies a message. Not "boycotting" their gas stations for one day. Using less oil helps this country become more independent and keeps your hard earned money in your pocket and out of the hands of oil companies and the government.

Just got back from the grocery store and carted home about 60lbs of groceries on my bike. Take that, big oil! Getting rid of the car is not a possibility for all families, but thankfully it is for mine.

[Tryphadz]

Gulf oil spill: six lessons - CSMonitor.com

[IteseFrusty]

All under the watch of Obama and a Democratic majority.

[Lypepuddyu]

All under the watch of Obama and a Democratic majority.

If there is a link between the President and the Democratic Party get serious and present it. If the President is responsible for the BP Oil Spill why didn't the Oil Executives point the finger at him. The one party that BP, Transocean, Halliburton, and Cameron did not implicate was government regulation or lack there of.

Also, no serious Republican is saying this oil spill or any oil spill wouldn't have happened under a Republican President.

The tragedy of this Oil Spill is the loss of jobs and way of life. It's not a political football for partisan scoring. Democrats and Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives engineered this Oil Spill through greed, whether it was the love of money or the love of an SUV. Every oil user bears some responsibility.

[Ygd2qr8k]

Not sure how valid this is but it's plausible. It's not far fetched for the administration to engage in damage control....it would be the same with a republican administration. Unfortunately, as with Wall Street reform posturing and politicization has polluted actual governance to address major issues and systemic problems honestly and in any substantive manner.

In an exclusive for Oilprice.com, the Wayne Madsen Report (WMR) has learned from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sources that U.S. Navy submarines deployed to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast have detected what amounts to a frozen oil blob from the oil geyser at the destroyed Deep Horizon off-shore oil rig south of Louisiana. The Navy submarines have trained video cameras on the moving blob, which remains frozen at depths of between 3,000 to 4,000 feet. Because the oil blob is heavier than water, it remains frozen at current depths.

FEMA and Corps of Engineers employees are upset that the White House and the Pentagon remain tight-lipped and in cover-up mode about the images of the massive and fast-moving frozen coagulated oil blob that is being imaged by Navy submarines that are tracking its movement. The sources point out that BP and the White House conspired to withhold videos from BP-contracted submersibles that showed the oil geyser that was spewing oil from the chasm underneath the datum of the Deep Horizon at rates far exceeding originally reported amounts. We have learned that it was largely WMR's scoop on the existence of the BP videos that forced the company and its White House patrons to finally agree to the release of the video footage.

The White House is officially stating that it does not know where the officially reported 10 miles long by 3 miles wide "plume" is actually located or in what direction it is heading. However, WMR's sources claim the White House is getting real-time reports from Navy submarines as to the blob's location. We have learned that the blob is transiting the Florida Straits between Florida and Cuba, propelled by the Gulf's Loop Current, and that parts of it that is encountering warmer waters are breaking off into smaller tar balls that are now washing ashore in the environmentally-sensitive Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas.

Corps of Engineers and FEMA officials are also livid about the cover-up of the extent of the oil damage being promulgated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its marine research vessel in the Gulf, RV Pelican. NOAA stands accused by the aforementioned agencies of acting as a virtual public relations arm for BP. NOAA is a component of the business-oriented Department of Commerce.

Similarly, the Coast Guard, which takes its orders from the cover-up operatives at the Homeland Security Department, is denying the tar balls washing up on the Florida Keys are from the oil mass. WMR has been told the Coast Guard is lying in order to protect the Obama administration, which has thoroughly failed in its response to the disaster. The White House's only concern is trying to limit political damage to its image in the electorally-important state of Florida while the Pentagon has spent between $25 and $30 billion on oil spill operations in the Gulf and the Atlantic to date.

http://oilprice.com/Environment/Oil-...-Oil-Blob.html

[amimabremiBit]

Just got back from the grocery store and carted home about 60lbs of groceries on my bike. Take that, big oil! Getting rid of the car is not a possibility for all families, but thankfully it is for mine.

Now if you can only get that store to take delivery of all of those things that you bought via a bicycle delivery company, your contribution would be more substantive.

I'm not making light of your effort, I whole-heartedly support a reduction in oil consumption. But if you're buying tomatoes, and corn, and oranges, and everything else that's grown or produced a thousand miles from a store in Philadelphia, cutting the energy used in the final mile of transport to your house is little more than window-dressing...

[sztc38tg]

For those willing to "drill" deeper into this affair and who want to avoid the politics of it all...here is a very very important study that was done back in 2001. It provides pretty conclusive evidence that BP knew the oil field was extremely dangerous with high pressures and they even discussed how a rig disaster as we just witnessed was a high probability..not just some freak accident. Again..we can see there is a huge element of criminal negligence on the part of BP as they didn't have a full understanding of how to tap the ultra deepwater deposit safely but they did so anyway without the proper clearance and permits....

Any wonder why there is so much damage control between industry and the gov't just like with the financial crisis? Like they say honor among thieves...too bad the common folk are always the victims

http://leanenergy.ldeo.columbia.edu/...2010-22-02.pdf

[MiniBoy]

Its a damn shame. They are destroying the entire world to line their wallets and there isn't a damn thing we can do about it. Even death by firing squad to the entire board of directors wouldn't be payment enough for the permanent damage they have done to the ecosystem.

[Britfunclubs]

Now if you can only get that store to take delivery of all of those things that you bought via a bicycle delivery company, your contribution would be more substantive.

I'm not making light of your effort, I whole-heartedly support a reduction in oil consumption. But if you're buying tomatoes, and corn, and oranges, and everything else that's grown or produced a thousand miles from a store in Philadelphia, cutting the energy used in the final mile of transport to your house is little more than window-dressing...

Ah, but the fruit and veggies, etc, were moved to the store efficiently with trains, trucks, running on diesel, etc. The gas powered car is the least efficient ways to move some groceries a couple of miles.

Also, fewer miles on the car means better resale, less wear on tires (which use oil), and less oil used in general leads to fewer deaths on oil rigs and fewer oil spills. Use the car when you need it. When you don't, bike it.

[Sipewrio]

Kevin Costner oil spill cleanup idea interests BP - CSMonitor.com

[CarrieSexy]

The “top kill” procedure follows a series of failed containment efforts the company has tried since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig collapsed following an April 20 explosion. The process will involve pumping heavy fluids down two three-inch lines placed inside the wellhead. If successful, the fluids will temporarily stop the oil rush, which would then allow operators to seal the opening with cement. The wellhead, officials say, will never be used again for oil drilling.

The procedure will take place Sunday, officials say, and it appears to mark the company's last best chance to seal the well in the short term. Though BP officials say they will try other procedures if the "top kill" fails, those options are seen as less promising.Gulf oil spill: 'top kill' could be last best chance to stop leak - CSMonitor.com

[ggandibazz]

The procedure will take place Sunday, officials say, and it appears to mark the company's last best chance to seal the well in the short term. Though BP officials say they will try other procedures if the "top kill" fails, those options are seen as less promising.

So now the question is, WTF are they going to do if none of these containment efforts work? Just let the well drain?

No lawsuit in the world is enough to pay for the environmental damage they've done, and will continue to do for decades.

Where's Sarah Palin now, I wonder?

[Ndptbudd]

Apparently it's coming out now that Transocean held the surviving rig workers without outside contact until they agreed to sign away transocean's liability. If that turns out to be true, someone is going to prison.

Link

[spapsinee]

Consumers can take action

Now it’s time to turn that ache into action. We live in a consumer culture where, theoretically, buyers have all the power. It’s time to test that theory by switching to sustainable products and using our dollars to demand and support the development of better petroleum alternatives.

Gulf spill: What oil habits will you change? - CSMonitor.com

[15Praxanant]

As I went to BP & Transoceanic's website neither explained the purpose of the extra drilling which was to relieve pressure in the oil reservoir. However, this relieve drilling has the same potential of mishap as the drilling site that is now leaking.

As to the money, $75M is way too low for this. In 2000 a PEPCO power plant spilled oil in to the Patuxent River, that cost $67M and it was much smaller than BP's spill.

Frankly, I hope that the damage is not that bad so that the fishermen, and others that make life's work in the Gulf can continue shortly. However, as it drags on without BP achieving any success in restraining the oil flow to the water's surface it seems unlikely that the traditional industries of the Gulf will resume any time soon.

I should point out that BP assuredly has enough money to pay the amount they will be required to pay under the oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990. Their liability should be capped at $75million.

To the extent that they pay for clean-up beyond that statutory limit, they should be reimbursed by the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSTLF), under US law.

Basically, you need not worry that taxpayers will be hit for the clean-up costs. Those costs which exceed BP's $75 mil limit will be paid by the OSLTF, which is in turn funded by a 5 cents/barrell fee on oil production.

While I share your sentiment that BP should be made to pay for its responsibility, it is fairly clear that US law dictates the proportion that they will have to bear. In return for this limited liability, they (and all oil producers) pay into what basically amounts to an insurance fund to which the US and other damaged parties can apply to recieve reimbursement for clean-up costs and damages.

All this to say that you neednt be concerned that the public will be hit for those costs. The cost will be paid, in the first instance, by BP, and then likely by Transocean. The remainder will come from a fund that BP contributed to.

FWIW, the reason that BP's response includes drilling another well into the reserve is that doing so will help prevent the uncontrolled extraction of oil - ie, the current spill.

If you are still concerned that BP will not pay enough for its actions, wait until you see its legal bill.

[nerrttrw]

Frankly, I hope that the damage is not that bad so that the fishermen, and others that make life's work in the Gulf can continue shortly. However, as it drags on without BP achieving any success in restraining the oil flow to the water's surface it seems unlikely that the traditional industries of the Gulf will resume any time soon. Oh it's bad......

YouTube - Amateur Video Of Gulf Oil Slick - Worse Than BP Admits

[Bwvapays]

Well, it looks like BP may be more honest about this than the Obama Administration:

FOXNews.com - Napolitano Sounds Hopeful Note on Oil Leak, but BP Says She Has Wrong Info

[interbaoui]

BP has already stated flat out that they're going to pay for all costs of the cleanup. We'll see if they do, of course, but it will barely effect their bottom line. Cleanup won't cost more than $25 Billion, which is one years profit for them. The legal fees will cost them maybe a few billion more. They'll be fine and dandy.

They are only liable for $75 million, of course, due to current legislation. If they keep their word they'll be paying out a lot more. As far as oil companies go, BP probably is the "greenest" of the bunch, so it very well may be the case. As of right now the spill isn't "bad" in terms of size of oil spills, but it will impact more industries than other spills. In fact, it's nowhere near the worst spill that's hit the Gulf. I agree the government should take a long and hard look at compliance with regulations, and should halt all new drilling until they're done.

I was really hoping the dome idea they had would work. If it had this would have been a relatively small incident in the grand scope of things.

[RIjdrVs3]

BP has already stated flat out that they're going to pay for all costs of the cleanup. We'll see if they do, of course, but it will barely effect their bottom line. Cleanup won't cost more than $25 Billion, which is one years profit for them. The legal fees will cost them maybe a few billion more. They'll be fine and dandy.

They are only liable for $75 million, of course, due to current legislation. If they keep their word they'll be paying out a lot more. As far as oil companies go, BP probably is the "greenest" of the bunch, so it very well may be the case. As of right now the spill isn't "bad" in terms of size of oil spills, but it will impact more industries than other spills. In fact, it's nowhere near the worst spill that's hit the Gulf. I agree the government should take a long and hard look at compliance with regulations, and should halt all new drilling until they're done.

I was really hoping the dome idea they had would work. If it had this would have been a relatively small incident in the grand scope of things.

Regulation doesn't seem to be the problem with this oil spill, if we are to believe BP. However, is the possibility of losing food supplies and livelihoods a worthwhile trade for energy when better alternatives are available?

[Goodwin]

I should clarify my earlier post. I had hoped to do so shortly after I made it, but the site went down for so long that I forgot about it.

Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, BP is responsible for [I]all[I] of the clean-up costs. Thier liability is limited to $75M with respect to damages suffered by fishermen, property owners, etc. for economic losses caused by the spill. The mst recent figure I have seen is that BP has already incurred $315M in clean-up/response costs.

Nonetheless, BP should have more than sufficient resources to pay for clean-up. I can't imagine they will go under b/c of this spill any more than Exxon did after the Valdez spill.

Colin: I wouldnt believe too much of what BP says about regulation. It seems clear to me that regulations could help. The offshore fields in Europe require that the BOP's be fitted with with remote operation, unlike those in the Gulf. And a requirement that these "domes" and "tophats" be pre-constructed seems a reasonable regulation. BP has had to construct these implements only after the incident - taking weeks to do so.

While I agree that every reasonable effort should be made to replace the need for oil, the fact remains that we need oil and will continue to for decades, at least.

Finally, the purpose of the relief well is to intercept the casing b/t the reserve and the surface and plug the leak there. Whatever remains above it will continus to leak out, but at a much reduced reate b/c there is no longer pressure behind it.