Hurricane Alex (pictured above) is having an indirect impact on the Gulf oil spill. AP Photo
Even though Hurricane Alex is hundreds of miles away from the Gulf oil spill, it continues to hamper containment efforts as outlined below. The hurricane is just the most recent chapter in a series of negatives stories on the spill. The disaster has now been ongoing for over 70 days with seemingly no end in sight. Here are the latest updates on the BP oil spill. Pictures from the disaster can be seen below.
- The most recent projected path for Hurricane Alex has it turning in a more southerly direction and impacting the coastline of Mexico. While the Hurricane will not almost assuredly not directly hit the oil spill, the spin created by the giant storm has had an impact on relief efforts. First, BP has delayed the arrival of a third vessel to the source of the leak because of the rough seas. The third vessel could double the capacity of current containment efforts. Secondly, the powerful storm has created wind patterns that have generally pushed oil north and west. This has kept oil largely away from Florida, but more oil is now impacting Louisiana and Mississippi. Finally, the rough seas created by the storm have further reduced the effectiveness of boom along the shore and suspended the operation of many skimmers.
- British Petroleum contained or flared a little over 23,000 barrels on Monday. The company captured or flared about 12,000 barrels of oil in the first 12 hours of Tuesday's operation. BP is now consistently collecting around 23,000 to 25,000 barrels each day out of the 35,000 to 60,000 estimated to be leaking in the Gulf.
- The most recent projection map for the oil spill has more heavy oil continuing to impact Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida over the next few days. As mentioned above, Hurricane Alex seems to be pushing the oil spill in the wrong direction for Gulf Coast residents. CNN has compiled an updates list of closed and open beaches in each state.
- In response to the crisis, President Obama continues to push for an energy bill to reduce petroleum independence. Democrats signaled a willingness to skim down the bill in order to gain the support of one or two moderate Republicans.
Comments
DAY 70
"WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States is accepting help from 12 countries and international organizations in dealing with the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The State Department said in a statement Tuesday that the U.S. is working out the particulars of the help that's been accepted.
The identities of all 12 countries and international organizations were not immediately announced. One country was cited in the State Department statement -- Japan, which is providing two high-speed skimmers and fire containment boom.
More than 30 countries and international organizations have offered to help with the spill. The State Department hasn't indicated why some offers have been accepted and others have not."
True leadership.
" In response to the crisis, President Obama continues to push for an energy bill to reduce petroleum independence."
I was hoping we would reduce our petroleum dependence instead!
that su so sad how BP can just let the animals die and be washed up by shore. they make a hell of a lot of money to pay everyone back in the costs in all the damages.and another thing they need to have all of the animals washed and taken to another part of the ocean. but no they are too money greedy and dont do nothing... and somehow its obamas fault. I DONT THINK SO..........
Brooke is obviously an English Major. Now we know who is still stupid enough to back the Obummer.
And now THIS: From Politico.com
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) wanted to fly 10 lawmakers down to the Gulf of Mexico to see the damage caused by BP’s gigantic oil spill first hand.
House Democrats said no.
Scalise’s trip was rejected for a variety of bureaucratic and logistical reasons, but it has also opened a new vein of partisan squabbling over who should be allowed to arrange a trip to view the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Republicans want to be able to take trips using their office spending allowance. But Democrats have heard from the Department of Homeland Security, which has asked that Congress organize trips through committees of jurisdiction, to avoid having to cater to a ton of individual lawmakers in a disaster zone, Democratic aides say. GOP leaders say they’ve heard nothing of this.
DRH says: And now THIS: From Politico.com ...
This fits with the governments media blackout, where only certain images and story lines are approved for publication.
The energy bill is a scam and a distraction of inaction.
Wow these picture make me sick.... As 2012 nears things just keep getting worse and worse....
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