Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ) has introduced the No New Drilling Act of 2010 which would prohibit new offshore exploration, development, or production of oil and natural gas. The proposed legislation is currently the ONLY bill in Congress that would ban all new offshore drilling in the United States. Despite the tragic lessons of the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the No New Drilling Act currently has only modest support in the House with a total of four co-sponsors. If you haven’t already, please participate in the Action Alert to ask your representatives to protect our oceans and coasts from drilling! Please also call your Congressman to ask them to co-sponsor the No New Drilling Act of 2010. Calling your congressional representative is the most effective way to have your voice heard on this issue and to help advance this legislation. Thank you for taking action!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
No New Drilling Act of 2010
Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ) has introduced the No New Drilling Act of 2010 which would prohibit new offshore exploration, development, or production of oil and natural gas. The proposed legislation is currently the ONLY bill in Congress that would ban all new offshore drilling in the United States. Despite the tragic lessons of the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the No New Drilling Act currently has only modest support in the House with a total of four co-sponsors. If you haven’t already, please participate in the Action Alert to ask your representatives to protect our oceans and coasts from drilling! Please also call your Congressman to ask them to co-sponsor the No New Drilling Act of 2010. Calling your congressional representative is the most effective way to have your voice heard on this issue and to help advance this legislation. Thank you for taking action!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Human health effects from gulf oil spill
Crude oil contains a brew of substances dangerous to human health, including chemicals such as benzene that are known to cause cancer in humans, and others that are toxic to the brain and central nervous system, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
“There is overwhelming evidence that many of the compounds found in crude oil are dangerous,” said James Giordano, director of the Center for Neurotechnology Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies in Arlington, Va.
A lot of the hazard will depend on the degree of exposure — placing cleanup workers, not surprisingly, at the highest risk. Brief contact with crude oil is not considered harmful, but sustained exposure or high enough doses of the chemicals can sicken people rapidly, said Dr. Cyrus Rangan, assistant medical director for the California Poison Control System.
“If you breathe them or ingest them or absorb them through skin they can cause headaches, fatigue, dizziness, even changes in mental status,” Rangan said. “The severity depends on how much you are exposed to. The longer you out there and being exposed, the higher the risk.”Read more...
If you are considering getting involved with any clean up activities associated with the Gulf oil spill, please read our Oil Spill Volunteer Toolkit first.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Oil Spill’s Effects on Life Underwater
Spill’s Effects Underwater
Efforts are under way to keep the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico from reaching birds, mammals and critical shoreline habitats, but some marine biologists worry about the effects of the oil slick and the use of chemical dispersants on life underwater.
Read more...
Friday, June 4, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
State of the Spill - Week 6
Spill Size/Extent
Size: 46,956,000 gallons (43 days)
Continuing rate of spill: 1,092,000 gallons per day.More details:
http://oilonthebeach.blogspot.com/2010/05/updated-oil-spill-counter-gulf-oil.html
http://blog.skytruth.org/2010/05/gulf-oil-spill-new-spill-rate.html
Analysis of satellite aerial photographs by Skytruth on May 27 showed the main body of the oil slick around the site of the leaking Macondo well, and also showed deep entrainment in the Loop Current. There were signs of thin surfactant - possibly oil from this spill - in the Loop Current where it moves past the Dry Tortugas and toward the Florida Straits. Indicated slicks and sheen covered an area of about 4,922 square miles.
Oil has come ashore on the beaches and marshlands along the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. The beaches along Florida’s panhandle and further down the west coast are bracing for impact at any time.
Scientists have reported finding a huge "plume" of oil extending miles east of the leaking BP well and a Louisiana scientist said his crew located another plume of oily globs in a section of the gulf 75 miles northwest of the source of the leak. These underwater plumes threaten deep corals and other seafloor habitat.
State of Efforts to Stop Flow
After the failure of the “top kill”, BP has started work on a procedure that involves cutting off the damaged riser pipe just above the blowout preventer and fitting a cap over the end of the pipe. The cap would be connected by pipe to a tanker to flare off the gas, collect the oil/water, separate the oil, and transport it to an onshore facility.
Meanwhile, BP continues to drill two “relief wells” that are intended to intercept the blown-out well at a depth of about 16,000 feet. Drilling mud and cement would then be pumped into the well to seal it. The wells will take at least two more months to drill. Read more.
Volunteer Response Resources
Surfrider volunteer oil spill toolkit
Response websites:
http://www.oilspillvolunteers.com/
http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/
http://tinyurl.com/audubonvolunteer
Volunteer Phone numbers: (state-specific contact information below)
Deepwater Horizon Incident Volunteer Hotline: 866-448-5816Vessel of Opportunities Program - Fishermen should phone 425-745-8017
Fact sheets related to oil spills in general and this spill:
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doctype/2931/53023/
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon
http://gulfseagrant.tamu.edu/oilspill/index.htm
Official Response Resources
Deepwater Horizon Response
Twitter: http://twitter.com/usnoaagov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov
Podcasts: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/podcast.html
NOAA Roles and Tools: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/topics/oceans/spills/
EPA: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/
Phone numbers:
NOAA media inquiries: keeley.belva@noaa.gov or 301-713-3066
For response inquiries: Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985-902-5231 or 985-902-5240
BP Horizon Response Hotline: 281-366-5511
To report oil, or general Community and Volunteer Information: 866-448-5816
To report oiled or injured wildlife: 866-557-1401
Coast Guard officials say not to pick up any tar balls you find and to report them at (800) 424-8802.
Florida Specific Volunteer Information:
Oil spill related clean up: http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/
Opportunities will be posted as they become available.
If you live in these areas and want to help:
Okaloosa County call: 850-651-7150
Bay County call: 763-6587
Walton County: go to http://www.waltonso.org/
Florida Palm Beach/Treasure Coast area volunteers can email Surfrider's Florida Regional Manager Ericka Davanzo: edavanzo@surfrider.org
Florida Information Numbers and Websites:
DEP Related Media Questions: Amy Graham at 850-245-2112 or -2113
Florida Emergency Information Line: 800-342-3557
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) incident response website: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm
Resources in Other Gulf States:
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources - (228) 374-5000
Galveston Bay Foundation
Save Our Gulf
Ecological Damage
Louisiana officials have reported sheets of oil soiling wetlands and seeping into marine and bird nurseries, leaving a stain of sticky crude on cane that binds the marshes together. Billy Nungesser, president of Plaquemines parish, said he had seen dying cane and "no life" in parts of Pass-a-Loutre wildlife refuge. "Every fish and invertebrate contacting the oil is probably dying. I have no doubt about that," said Prosanta Chakrabarty, a Louisiana State University fish biologist.
In the six weeks since the leak started, wildlife officials say at least 491 birds, 227 turtles and 27 mammals, including dolphins, have been found dead along the US Gulf coast. Many of these were not related to the spill; only 28 of the dead birds were covered in oil. More marine creatures, including birds and mammals will be affected by surface oil, and scientists are also concerned about possible underwater clouds of dispersed oil.
NOAA’s Fisheries Service Gulf of Mexico commercial and recreational fishing closure area now measures 88,502 square miles, which is approximately 37 percent of Gulf of Mexico federal waters.
More Information & Call to Action
Help us track oil spill impacts at: http://oilspill.skytruth.org/
Urge Obama and Congress to ban new drilling: http://www.surfrider.org/nodrilling
Participate in the Hands Across the Sand Nationwide June 26th event.
State Action Alert for Special Session (FL Only) – Legislators are holding up Gov. Crist's request for a special session to make oil drilling a 2010 ballet item.
Walk your beaches daily to ensure no garbage or plastic debris is present. Do not disturb bird nesting areas!
Join the Surfrider Foundation: http://www.surfrider.org/join
Size: 46,956,000 gallons (43 days)
Continuing rate of spill: 1,092,000 gallons per day.More details:
http://oilonthebeach.blogspot.com/2010/05/updated-oil-spill-counter-gulf-oil.html
http://blog.skytruth.org/2010/05/gulf-oil-spill-new-spill-rate.html
Analysis of satellite aerial photographs by Skytruth on May 27 showed the main body of the oil slick around the site of the leaking Macondo well, and also showed deep entrainment in the Loop Current. There were signs of thin surfactant - possibly oil from this spill - in the Loop Current where it moves past the Dry Tortugas and toward the Florida Straits. Indicated slicks and sheen covered an area of about 4,922 square miles.
Oil has come ashore on the beaches and marshlands along the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. The beaches along Florida’s panhandle and further down the west coast are bracing for impact at any time.
Scientists have reported finding a huge "plume" of oil extending miles east of the leaking BP well and a Louisiana scientist said his crew located another plume of oily globs in a section of the gulf 75 miles northwest of the source of the leak. These underwater plumes threaten deep corals and other seafloor habitat.
State of Efforts to Stop Flow
After the failure of the “top kill”, BP has started work on a procedure that involves cutting off the damaged riser pipe just above the blowout preventer and fitting a cap over the end of the pipe. The cap would be connected by pipe to a tanker to flare off the gas, collect the oil/water, separate the oil, and transport it to an onshore facility.
Meanwhile, BP continues to drill two “relief wells” that are intended to intercept the blown-out well at a depth of about 16,000 feet. Drilling mud and cement would then be pumped into the well to seal it. The wells will take at least two more months to drill. Read more.
Volunteer Response Resources
Surfrider volunteer oil spill toolkit
Response websites:
http://www.oilspillvolunteers.com/
http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/
http://tinyurl.com/audubonvolunteer
Volunteer Phone numbers: (state-specific contact information below)
Deepwater Horizon Incident Volunteer Hotline: 866-448-5816Vessel of Opportunities Program - Fishermen should phone 425-745-8017
Fact sheets related to oil spills in general and this spill:
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doctype/2931/53023/
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon
http://gulfseagrant.tamu.edu/oilspill/index.htm
Official Response Resources
Deepwater Horizon Response
Twitter: http://twitter.com/usnoaagov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov
Podcasts: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/podcast.html
NOAA Roles and Tools: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/topics/oceans/spills/
EPA: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/
Phone numbers:
NOAA media inquiries: keeley.belva@noaa.gov or 301-713-3066
For response inquiries: Joint Information Center (JIC) at 985-902-5231 or 985-902-5240
BP Horizon Response Hotline: 281-366-5511
To report oil, or general Community and Volunteer Information: 866-448-5816
To report oiled or injured wildlife: 866-557-1401
Coast Guard officials say not to pick up any tar balls you find and to report them at (800) 424-8802.
Florida Specific Volunteer Information:
Oil spill related clean up: http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/
Opportunities will be posted as they become available.
If you live in these areas and want to help:
Okaloosa County call: 850-651-7150
Bay County call: 763-6587
Walton County: go to http://www.waltonso.org/
Florida Palm Beach/Treasure Coast area volunteers can email Surfrider's Florida Regional Manager Ericka Davanzo: edavanzo@surfrider.org
Florida Information Numbers and Websites:
DEP Related Media Questions: Amy Graham at 850-245-2112 or -2113
Florida Emergency Information Line: 800-342-3557
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) incident response website: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm
Resources in Other Gulf States:
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources - (228) 374-5000
Galveston Bay Foundation
Save Our Gulf
Ecological Damage
Louisiana officials have reported sheets of oil soiling wetlands and seeping into marine and bird nurseries, leaving a stain of sticky crude on cane that binds the marshes together. Billy Nungesser, president of Plaquemines parish, said he had seen dying cane and "no life" in parts of Pass-a-Loutre wildlife refuge. "Every fish and invertebrate contacting the oil is probably dying. I have no doubt about that," said Prosanta Chakrabarty, a Louisiana State University fish biologist.
In the six weeks since the leak started, wildlife officials say at least 491 birds, 227 turtles and 27 mammals, including dolphins, have been found dead along the US Gulf coast. Many of these were not related to the spill; only 28 of the dead birds were covered in oil. More marine creatures, including birds and mammals will be affected by surface oil, and scientists are also concerned about possible underwater clouds of dispersed oil.
NOAA’s Fisheries Service Gulf of Mexico commercial and recreational fishing closure area now measures 88,502 square miles, which is approximately 37 percent of Gulf of Mexico federal waters.
More Information & Call to Action
Help us track oil spill impacts at: http://oilspill.skytruth.org/
Urge Obama and Congress to ban new drilling: http://www.surfrider.org/nodrilling
Participate in the Hands Across the Sand Nationwide June 26th event.
State Action Alert for Special Session (FL Only) – Legislators are holding up Gov. Crist's request for a special session to make oil drilling a 2010 ballet item.
Walk your beaches daily to ensure no garbage or plastic debris is present. Do not disturb bird nesting areas!
Join the Surfrider Foundation: http://www.surfrider.org/join
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Top Kill turns out to be Buzz Kill
According to the Christian Science Monitor and other news outlets, BP's third attempt to stem the flow of oil from the Macondo wellhead by pumping copious amounts of drilling mud down the shaft - a.k.a. top kill - has failed.
Apparently engineers were unable to match the overpowering flow of oil, which is surging out of the mangled pipeline at an estimated 26,000 psi.
On Saturday, President Obama issued a statement "While we initially received optimistic reports about the (top kill) procedure, it is now clear that it has not worked. Rear Admiral Mary Landry today directed BP to launch a new procedure whereby the riser pipe will be cut and a containment structure fitted over the leak."
The danger of course is that once the riser pipe is cut the oil, which is currently flowing out several small breaches, will now be shooting out at a much higher flow. Should the containment structure fail to seat or function, the increased amount of oil being discharged into the Gulf could dwarf anything we've seen thus far.
Apparently engineers were unable to match the overpowering flow of oil, which is surging out of the mangled pipeline at an estimated 26,000 psi.
On Saturday, President Obama issued a statement "While we initially received optimistic reports about the (top kill) procedure, it is now clear that it has not worked. Rear Admiral Mary Landry today directed BP to launch a new procedure whereby the riser pipe will be cut and a containment structure fitted over the leak."
The danger of course is that once the riser pipe is cut the oil, which is currently flowing out several small breaches, will now be shooting out at a much higher flow. Should the containment structure fail to seat or function, the increased amount of oil being discharged into the Gulf could dwarf anything we've seen thus far.
"Unprecedented"
Several times this week, we've heard President Obama and others refer to the Deepwater Horizon / Macondo spill as "unprecedented." But as we've mentioned previously on this blog and elsewhere that is hardly the case...
One only need to go back to August of last year and the Montara spill in Australia's ecologically sensitive East Timor Sea - which lasted 72 days - to appreciate how hard it is to control these situations.
Of course many critics are going back even further; 31 years ago to be exact - and another spill that is eerily similar to the current situation in the gulf. We're talking of course about the Ixtoc I oil spill, which took place in 1979 off the coast of Mexico. Currently listed as the second largest spill in history, oil from the Ixtoc I poured into the Gulf of Mexico for nearly 10 months until it was finally capped.
In fact, a simple search on Google or Wikipedia will produce a lengthy list of oil spills of varying size and scale, some dating back as far as the 1940's.
So let's be honest here people... NO ONE should be surprised at what we are seeing transpire in the Gulf of Mexico.
Let us close this post with a quote from the Spanish novelist George Santayana:
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
One only need to go back to August of last year and the Montara spill in Australia's ecologically sensitive East Timor Sea - which lasted 72 days - to appreciate how hard it is to control these situations.
Of course many critics are going back even further; 31 years ago to be exact - and another spill that is eerily similar to the current situation in the gulf. We're talking of course about the Ixtoc I oil spill, which took place in 1979 off the coast of Mexico. Currently listed as the second largest spill in history, oil from the Ixtoc I poured into the Gulf of Mexico for nearly 10 months until it was finally capped.In fact, a simple search on Google or Wikipedia will produce a lengthy list of oil spills of varying size and scale, some dating back as far as the 1940's.
So let's be honest here people... NO ONE should be surprised at what we are seeing transpire in the Gulf of Mexico.
Let us close this post with a quote from the Spanish novelist George Santayana:
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
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