Drilling Toward Disaster?
Concern Over Proposed Gulf Drill Sites
Posted July 10, 2014 07:35 am
Deep Water Horizon BP disaster
PANAMA CITY, FL - The federal government is considering a proposal to open up new areas of the Gulf of Mexico to natural gas and oil production.
The proposed areas include a section near the Florida
coast, and another closer to the Alabama border.
Raleigh Hoke, communications director for the
Gulf
Restoration Network, said the oil and gas industry
isn't prepared to take on more responsibility.
"Not enough has been done to improve the safety of
drilling," said Hoke. "Many of the recommendations of
the President's
Oil
Spill Commission are still languishing, still
haven't been enacted."
Supporters of additional Gulf energy production argue
the process is closely monitored, and essential for the
U.S. to achieve energy independence.
The
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which is
responsible for the leasing process, is taking public
comment on the proposal.
According to Hoke, a lot rides on their eventual
decision.
"In Florida, tourism is one of the biggest industries on
the coast and elsewhere," said Hoke. "It's important
that our tourist industries in Florida and throughout
the Gulf of Mexico are protected."
A group of BP shareholders initiated a class action
lawsuit against the company this week to recoup
financial losses incurred after the Deepwater Horizon
disaster.
Photos/graphics and links added by the Observer
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