How is this oil spill not a big deal?

[6doublefive321]

I'm not even sure where to start on this one.

Let's go back to the mining accident a few weeks ago. MSHA had recently written up over 100 violations for this particular mine. Was the mine closed? Nope. Just fined.

Let's look at the regulations and systems that are in place for offshore drilling. Are they sufficient? Obviously not. Since accidents can and will happen, emergency response plans should be in place to contain the accidents. Was the ERP for this rig sufficient? Not even close.

What is the common denominator in both cases? Risks were identified, consequences predicted, and NOTHING was done. Why was nothing done? Because violations and fines are the lifeblood of regulatory organizations and governments. The coal mine should have been CLOSED, not fined. Oil rigs should be SHUT DOWN until countermeasures can be implemented to prevent and / or contain spills. Some will say that these actions are not economically feasible, but 20 families in WV and hundreds of families on the gulf coast will disagree.

At the end of the day, our government has made the decision that money and the economy are more important than human lives. Just call it what it is, and I will be happy.

[askmrjesus]

Originally Posted by azoomm

I know. It's just absolutely incredible to me. Though, now with Al Gore being the spokesmodel for Environmental Issues hasn't really helped things. He just comes off as a heretic. It's like having Chicken Little with a REAL issue. The sky IS fucking falling.

Agreed. Politicizing the issue is not going to help.

Originally Posted by azoomm

There is a company here in Austin that produces a microbial product that "eats" oil. They are delivering their first major shipment of the product this week to help address the issue. While it seems like this could solve the problem, I can't help but think about the what-if's. YAY, let's introduce a foreign product to address one disaster could create an entirely different disaster....

Apparently the microbes you are talking about, only have a life span of about a month after they begin converting hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide, so hopefully no long term complications will result.

JC

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by 6doublefive321

What is the common denominator in both cases? Risks were identified, consequences predicted, and NOTHING was done. Why was nothing done? Because violations and fines are the lifeblood of regulatory organizations and governments. The coal mine should have been CLOSED, not fined. Oil rigs should be SHUT DOWN until countermeasures can be implemented to prevent and / or contain spills. Some will say that these actions are not economically feasible, but 20 families in WV and hundreds of families on the gulf coast will disagree.

The 20 families might, but the families of the other miners who are still working there won't. You're talking about one of the best paying jobs in West Virginia, and there will always be people willing to do it

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

The 20 families might, but the families of the other miners who are still working there won't. You're talking about one of the best paying jobs in West Virginia, and there will always be people willing to do it

Yes, there is a level of calculated risk that we all take into account when choosing a profession. My husband understands that his job is dangerous. But, if they are found to just take safety violations as an acceptable cost of doing business at the expense of lives - THAT is wrong.

[NONE_too_SOFT]

Originally Posted by azoomm

I know. It's just absolutely incredible to me. Though, now with Al Gore being the spokesmodel for Environmental Issues hasn't really helped things. He just comes off as a heretic. It's like having Chicken Little with a REAL issue. The sky IS fucking falling.

There is a company here in Austin that produces a microbial product that "eats" oil. They are delivering their first major shipment of the product this week to help address the issue. While it seems like this could solve the problem, I can't help but think about the what-if's. YAY, let's introduce a foreign product to address one disaster could create an entirely different disaster....

by introducing foreign or synthetic bacteria to rid the problem, we could drastically alter the entire region. we cant possibly forsee all the side effects of trying to sweep the dust under the rug with a miracle product.

for instance

[Rider]

Is there an oil spill somewhere?

[Avatard]

Originally Posted by askmrjesus

Agreed. Politicizing the issue is not going to help.



Apparently the microbes you are talking about, only have a life span of about a month after they begin converting hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide, so hopefully no long term complications will result.

JC

I don't believe the oil-eating bacteria can reproduce, they're made in a lab, and are sterile. As far as I know, they eat, they convert oil, they die.

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Avatard

I don't believe the oil-eating bacteria can reproduce, they're made in a lab, and are sterile. As far as I know, they eat, they convert oil, they die.

The company representative said [on the news] they reproduce.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by azoomm

The company representative said [on the news] they reproduce.

What else does it eat besides oil?

[NONE_too_SOFT]

Originally Posted by azoomm

The company representative said [on the news] they reproduce.

thats the end im scared most of. the nano-bot destruction of the world. cause even if we blow ourselves up w/ nukes life has a chance, but if nanobots just sterilize the planet then the only artifact of life's existance will be all the trash floatin around in space.