British Petroleum released a video of the Gulf oil leak 23 days after the disaster began. AP Photo
British Petroleum is still trying new methods in an attempt to cap the Gulf oil leak, but so far nothing has worked. The leak continues to spew out approximately 5,000 barrels of oil each day. The environmental impact of the spill is being debated. Liberals argue the long term effects will be disastrous as the spill begins to wash ashore in the Gulf Coast states. Some conservatives are arguing the environmental effects are overblown and will go away in time. The economic impacts, on the other hand, are certain. The Gulf Coast fishing and shrimping industry has already taken a huge hit from the spill. Here are the latest updates on the Gulf oil spill. Pictures can also be seen below.
- British Petroleum released the first underwater video of the actual leak 5,000 feet below the surface. The video can be seen here. Environmentalists are accusing BP of withholding the video over the last 23 days in an attempt to try and lessen the public relations damage from the spill.
- BP is now lowering a second, smaller containment rig over the major leak. The rig is called a "top hat." If it works BP will then connect it to a pipeline which will pump the oil to a surface ship to be processed. The first, larger containment rig failed when gas hydrates collected at the top of the rig.
- BP has promised to pay for the damages from the oil spill. What damages are connected to the oil spill will likely become a contested issue over the following months and years. The New York Times has an excellent piece detailing the costs of the spill and who will be forced to pay.
- More and more details are emerging concerning what exactly caused the spill. A series of failures seem to be emerging including faulty wiring, a malfunctioning blowout preventer, bad cementing of the well, and a poor drilling plan overall.
- Many lawsuits are already being filed against the companies involved in the spill as lawyers rush to get their claims in before others. BP said over 70 lawsuits were filed just last week. One group that will surely benefit from this disaster are personal injury attorney for plaintiffs and corporate defense lawyers.
- So far water and air samples taken by the EPA have show normal levels of quality. Sediments tests did show some pollutants that were deemed a risk to aquatic life, but it is unknown if this pollution occurred before or after the spill.
- The latest map of the oil spill, and projection of where it is expected to go, can be seen here. The spill is projected to start coming ashore on Louisiana on both the east side and west side of the Mississippi River.
Comments
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
this isnt funny. Im not too happy that this happened just days before US was about to start drilling from delaware south! there is 200,000 gallons a day gushing into our precious ocean. Why is this not contained yet? After all these years of drilling you would think they would have a sure thing by now. This is bs
This is freaking terrible! It's killed out 8 species of fish!!!! they need to have a plan forehand! way to go america
!
ok i really think it is serious the animals r dying out and we should all do something adout it but if u laugh than it os not going to get us any wear
Yeah folks.....the Gulf is in the throes of death now. This leak cannot be stopped, This is going to go all the way around Florida, up the east coast, and all the way down to Cancun and beyond. Way to go rich and highly educated leaders and scientists, bunch of miserable failures....the lot of you!!!!!!!
I'm so disgusted about this catastrophe. This man-made disaster is worse than any natural disaster (hurricanes and tornadoes combined) because it will affect the livelihood of people and animals, including the coastlines of many states for YEARS to come. Way to go rich, greedy, and selfish people. Let this be a lesson to you. We're disgusted.
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