Implications of the “Deepwater Horizon” Disaster In the Gulf
May 26th 2010 15:26
Most every human-related disaster throughout history, no matter its origin or make up, could have been avoided. Even with mechanical failures, an inspection and repair that prevented the failure could have averted disaster.
Reportedly, two lawmakers released a memo stating that Oil giant BP PLC told congressional investigators that a decision to continue work on the oil well in the Gulf of Mexico after a test warned that something was wrong may have been a "fundamental mistake". Though the memo indicates there were a number of mistakes prior to the blast on Deepwater Horizon, it points to a "very large abnormality" in the well even though the work continued. The explosion occurred two hours after the abnormality was found.
Could the oil flow have been shut off while the “abnormality”was corrected? Why were federal inspectors not informed of the development immediately? If they were aware of the potential problem, why did they not require an immediate shut down? These are all questions that must be addressed in order to establish responsibility in the current crisis and to avoid a similar disaster in the future.
Any amount of public speculation does not serve to resolve the continuing flow of oil which is quickly becoming a major disaster both along the shore line and into the depths of the gulf. The Obama Administration is receiving considerable criticism for not being more proactive in shutting down the leak, but in their defense, this does not fall into their job experience or field of expertise. It is a disaster that exceeds the capacity of the government to tame to this point unless the disaster could have been avoided due to more stringent and frequent federal inspections.
Unfortunately, some have tried to turn the prevention issue into a political debate about less government versus more government; and more regulations versus fewer regulations. The Democrats are using this disaster as an opportunity to say to Republicans who are asking for federal intervention, “you cannot have it both ways.” Bobby Jindal (Gov-Louisiana) has been pleading for federal help, but some Democratic leaders have been criticizing him for doing so because he has been a supporter of limited federal intervention in regard to state issues. Clearly, this disaster is not a state issue; it is a federal issue.
This is not a time for the blame game to be played out. Every person and entity involved whether at the individual, corporate, state or federal level must work together assuming responsibility and blame where need be. Politics, positions and money are not the primary concern; this is about the saving of the ecosystem and livelihood of the entire gulf region. In this, our federal government is responsible for our protection.
Reportedly, two lawmakers released a memo stating that Oil giant BP PLC told congressional investigators that a decision to continue work on the oil well in the Gulf of Mexico after a test warned that something was wrong may have been a "fundamental mistake". Though the memo indicates there were a number of mistakes prior to the blast on Deepwater Horizon, it points to a "very large abnormality" in the well even though the work continued. The explosion occurred two hours after the abnormality was found.
Could the oil flow have been shut off while the “abnormality”was corrected? Why were federal inspectors not informed of the development immediately? If they were aware of the potential problem, why did they not require an immediate shut down? These are all questions that must be addressed in order to establish responsibility in the current crisis and to avoid a similar disaster in the future.
Any amount of public speculation does not serve to resolve the continuing flow of oil which is quickly becoming a major disaster both along the shore line and into the depths of the gulf. The Obama Administration is receiving considerable criticism for not being more proactive in shutting down the leak, but in their defense, this does not fall into their job experience or field of expertise. It is a disaster that exceeds the capacity of the government to tame to this point unless the disaster could have been avoided due to more stringent and frequent federal inspections.
Unfortunately, some have tried to turn the prevention issue into a political debate about less government versus more government; and more regulations versus fewer regulations. The Democrats are using this disaster as an opportunity to say to Republicans who are asking for federal intervention, “you cannot have it both ways.” Bobby Jindal (Gov-Louisiana) has been pleading for federal help, but some Democratic leaders have been criticizing him for doing so because he has been a supporter of limited federal intervention in regard to state issues. Clearly, this disaster is not a state issue; it is a federal issue.
This is not a time for the blame game to be played out. Every person and entity involved whether at the individual, corporate, state or federal level must work together assuming responsibility and blame where need be. Politics, positions and money are not the primary concern; this is about the saving of the ecosystem and livelihood of the entire gulf region. In this, our federal government is responsible for our protection.
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