On June 15th, when Obama gave his speech about the BP oil spill catastraphuk, he said the following: “…It’s also clear we need a long-term plan to restore the unique beauty and bounty of this region. The oil spill represents just the latest blow to a place that’s already suffered multiple economic disasters and decades of environmental degradation that has led to disappearing wetlands and … Continue reading A Plan to Save The Wetlands…
As I put up in a previous post, the Telegraph previously reported BP was set to announce a $5 billion dollar profit, but according to the morning Chicago Tribune, this is anything but the case: BP said the $32.2 billion charge for the cost of the spill led it to record a loss of $17 billion for the second quarter, compared with a profit of … Continue reading Turns Out The Telegraph was Wrong…BP – Record Loss for 2nd Quarter…kind of.
Now that the well is reportedly capped…reportedly…it would seem a collective sigh of relief is in order. That is if you don’t stop to think about the damage already done. In the past few days, I had the grand opportunity to survey some of that damage. I have had the good fortune of being able to fly out over the BP/Macondo site, and over other … Continue reading American Zombie Visits the Spill…Anatomy of an Oil Spill, Part I
Thad Allen, National Incident Commander said today at a press briefing, “There are hundreds of thousands of patches of oil in the Gulf of Mexico,” as a result of British Petroleum’s catastraphuk. He went onto say, “The ultimate impact of the spill, the amount of tarballs…will be the subject of long-term surveillance. Our goal would be to keep as much of it off the beaches … Continue reading Hundreds of Thousands of patches of oil…skimmers?
Ken Feinberg said today he hasn’t been able to start writing claims checks because BP PLC has not yet deposited any money into the $20 billion escrow fund it promised to create. “I don’t want the check to bounce,” Feinberg said. BP spokesman Justin Saia said the company’s agreement with the White House is still being finalized. “Funds will be made available immediately upon the … Continue reading Feinberg: The Money isn’t in Escrow Account Yet, plus: How the Reparations Payment Will Work, Problems?
From the Telegraph: This week is likely to see the start of BP’s fightback, beginning with the announcement of $5bn in profits for the second quarter of 2010 and the resignation of Hayward – a symbolic break with the steady drip of bad news that has bombarded the company since April 20. While I do understand the necessity of British Petroleum staying afloat so they … Continue reading Some Perspective…BP Set to Announce 5 Billion Dollar Profit in 2nd Quarter
British energy giant BP is holding up payments to economic victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Kenneth Feinberg, administrator of a $20 billion compensation fund, said on Saturday. “I have a concern that BP is stalling claims. Yes, BP is stalling. I doubt they are stalling for money. It’s not that. I just don’t think they know the answers to the questions (by … Continue reading Feinberg says “BP delaying relief payments”
It seems that as everyone is focused on Tropical Storm Bonnie and her impacts on the cap over the Macondo Well, forgotten is what the oil already spilled is doing to the wildlife of the Gulf Region. The largest Brown Pelican rookery exists on Raccoon Island and the oil has come ashore. British Petroleum is trying to keep photographers away from this island, to keep … Continue reading Raccoon Island BP Oil Pelican Die-off – the photos
Used to be in Southern Louisiana, nobody ever had to worry about hunger or a lack of protein, just go catch something out of the water. But as this AP article points out, those days have been suspended and for families, at the worst time of the year – their children are home from school. During the summer, everybody eats at home, there are no reduced price … Continue reading Fishing Families…rising stress, rising grocery bills…
British Petroleum, finally addressing calls for funding to provide mental health assistance to residents of the Gulf Coast has requested that Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi rewrite their requests. The company says it is not qualified to review multiple grant applications for programs that vary in scope and duration, in addition to separate requests from some local governments and nonpublic entities. Federal Health and … Continue reading Due to lack of response, states tweak requests for mental health aid in the Gulf…wait, whadda ya mean, “if?”
Drake Toulouse: Photography and Words 