Environment
May 8, 2010, 3:44 pm
Problem for Containment Dome in Gulf
By LIZ ROBBINS
Dr. Alan Phillips, Response
NO ADDITIONAL OFF SHORE DRILLING, WITHOUT STRICT ACCOUNTABILITY
The Gulf of Mexico, even after the initial dome fix effort, continues to bear mute testimony to a pathetic lack of corporate accountability when it comes to drilling for oil along some of the most valuable wildlife areas in the world. Whether viewed from the sea or air the value of the Gulf of Mexico and its ultimate destruction is simply too high a price to pay for unsupervised corporate drilling.
When sloppy drilling is added to the wildlife habitat along with some of the world's most beautiful beaches and their possible destruction from many months of pollution a perfect environmental storm is arising. We are now more aware of the BP governmental lobbying efforts and the dollars expended to obtain waivers from those genuine safe guards required to protect the environment. This lobbying campaign has resulted in a disgraceful series of horrible compromises allowing the Gulf to be threatened. We must say to politicians and agencies, never again will we permit any corporate lobbying to compromise the gulf's environment.
Many are explaining that BP will pay the price for the gigantic spill cleanup effort. In the arena of massive environmental deception and destruction dollars alone do not comprise a cogent or meaningful recovery plan. It is only government and volunteer resources that can provide the muscle and effort to stop a future cataclysm. We must demand of corporations planning to drill in the Gulf a detailed thoroughly documented corporate drilling plan.
Starting today, May 8, 2010, prior to any new deep water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico an extensive plan must be presented and reviewed by the EPA. This type of corporate plan can be fast tracked and checked for various provisions including drilling safety, well blow out protection, personnel, immediate plans for oil spill containment and recovery, as well as corporate reporting to the government, public. Any drilling plan must include a truth in telling provision which accommodates any realistic assessment of potential damage to the environment. We must make it clear to the companies concerned that we will no longer waive safety requirements for their lobbyists and dollars.
In addition to strict accountability for corporations it is necessary for the federal government to supervise drilling by other countries in the Gulf region. The idea that Russia, China, Vietnam and others are drilling in the Gulf of Mexico without state and federal supervision is at best alarming and at worst potentially disastrous. The Gulf of Mexico has far more value to our nation than strictly the oil held deeply beneath its waters.
This growing national tragedy serves as a wakeup call to each of us that without strong supervision and accountability accidents and spills will spoil and may well destroy the Gulf of Mexico's pristine resources. The seafood industry, tourism, and beauty of the area must not permit any additional poorly supervised deep water drilling. The nation can ill afford another of these massive uncontrolled oil spills. If there is to be drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, it must be strictly supervised and monitored by all entities concerned with the process or we will lose an aquatic gem which can never be replaced.
We as Americans have the will power to make absolutely certain that the Gulf is protected from shoddy drilling. Drill baby drill, will need to be tempered by chill baby chill, until we get to the bottom of this tragedy. We simply cannot afford to ignore the Gulf of Mexico.
Dr. Alan Phillips
Bloomington, IL
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