White House Takes a Bigger Role in the Oil Spill Cleanup

[babylonsister]

White House Takes a Bigger Role in the Oil Spill Cleanup

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

A boat collected crude oil that had leaked from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico.

By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON
Published: April 29, 2010


NEW ORLEANS — The response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico intensified abruptly on Thursday, with the federal government intervening more aggressively as the rapidly growing slick drifted ever closer to the fragile coastline of Louisiana.

Resources from the United States Navy were marshaled to supplement an operation that already consisted of more than 1,000 people and scores of vessels and aircraft.

Calling it “a spill of national significance” which could threaten coastline in several states, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the creation of a second command post in Mobile, Ala., in addition to the one in Louisiana, to manage potential coastal impact in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar ordered an immediate review of the 30 offshore drilling rigs and 47 production platforms operating in the deepwater Gulf, and is sending teams to conduct on-site inspections.

The oil slick was only three miles offshore on Thursday afternoon and was expected to hit coastal Louisiana as early as Thursday night, prompting Gov. Bobby Jindal to declare a state of emergency and to request the participation of the National Guard in response efforts. About 40,000 feet of boom had been placed around Pass-a-Loutre, the area of the Mississippi River Delta where the oil was expected to touch first, a spokesman for Mr. Jindal said.

The Navy provided 50 contractors, 7 skimming systems and 66,000 feet of inflatable containment boom, a spokesman said. About 210,000 feet of boom had been laid down to protect the shoreline in several places along the Gulf Coast, though experts said that marshlands presented a far more daunting cleaning challenge than sandy beaches.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/us/30gulf.html?hpw

[Clio the Leo]

1. kick. NT

[Jennicut]

2. Funny how Bobby Jindal wants the federal govt.'s help now.

[babylonsister]

7. It's also 'funny' that Jindal claims he hasn't been informed of what's

going on by the gov't, yet I just saw Bill Nelson on teevee, and he seems to be up-to-date on what's happening. I think Jindal protests too much?

[Jennicut]

12. Ha. Perhaps Piyush should simply watch the news.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

3. Maybe President Obama will rethink his inane offshore drilling idea now n/t

[freddie mertz]

4. A bit late. We have been warned of this possibility for many years now.

The current administration could not have prevented this.

But they could have chosen a different path on the policy in general.

That decision is now exposed for all to see as the cynical miscalculation that it was.

[babylonsister]

5. I welcome a president who has the ability to change his opinion

as the situation warrants. I suppose you'd prefer the 'stay the course' kind of guy?


Oil Spill Could Delay, Alter Obama Plans for More Offshore Drilling
Reporting from Washington

April 29, 2010 | 3:06 p.m.


The massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could trigger changes in President Obama's recently announced plans to open new coastal areas for offshore drilling, administration officials said Thursday.

Earlier this month Obama unveiled a draft plan designed to open the way for to new drilling off the Atlantic Coast, in Alaska and in the Gulf of Mexico. But on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and other administration officials, including top energy and climate advisor Carol Browner, said the plan was entering a public comment phase and could undergo modifications as a result of the oil spill and possible public reaction.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-oil-politics29.-20100429,0,2691479.story

[freddie mertz]

8. Even better is a president who makes good decisions.

The drilling decision was a terrible one.

Obama gained nothing, and gave political cover to the Palin-puke "drill-baby" brigade in the process.

One of his worst moments.

[babylonsister]

10. freddie, with you, everything he does is his 'worst moment'. Sorry,

but your credibility is lacking.

[freddie mertz]

11. Personal attack notwithstanding, you have not defended the original decision.

You can say what you want about me, I could care less.

But this was a big policy and strategy miscalculation.

Do you deny it?

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[freddie mertz]

14. We have a responsibility to hold our leaders responsible.

Same goes for Dems as goes for Republicans.

As a voting constituent, I expect more from the current administration than I ever did from the Pubs.

I hope they learn from their mistakes, but denying or ignoring them is no way to accomplish this.

[Kdillard]

6. Good hopefully everyone working together will help contain the damage.

Also I am happy that allowing offshore drilling is being reconsidered.

[Enrique]

9. i pictured Rahm Emanuel scrubbing otters

:crazy:

[Peacetrain]

15. Just amazing what a mess this is.. glad to see the the White House is on this

[freddie mertz]

16. Eternal optimist....

Sigh!

[BlooInBloo]

17. Good.