Thursday, April 29, 2010

Oil Platform in the Gulf of Mexico

An oil platform exploded. 11 people were lost. They reported a large oil leak. 1000 barrels per day -- or about 42,000 gallons per day.

NOW, it's being reported the leak is about FIVE (5) times as large -- about 210,000 gallons per day.

There is very little reporting on this -- an article here, another there. There is no hue and cry. No demands to stop the proposed drilling.

There seem to be no comments from the "drill baby drill" folks. I guess it's similar to the idea you have to "break a few eggs to make an omelet" -- except here, you have to destroy a planet to ensure there's "enough" energy. Where we will live never seems to be mentioned by these "warriors".

An oil spill of this sort will affect the Gulf for MANY years.

Back when I was a kid, there was a fairly small spill in the Long Island Sound -- near Riverhead, around near Roanoke Point. It covered much of the bottom, sank into the sand, and covered many rocks. It affected swiming for a couple of years, and affected fishing for over five years. A lot of clam beds were lost, habitat was lost, many species never fully recovered in that area.

That was a small spill. I do not care what biologists paid by the oil companies will say -- the Gulf Coast will be affected for quite a few years.

42,000 gallons per day was bad -- 210,000 is truly a disaster.

Isn't it time to get serious about our home, about our planet?

No comments: