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(CNN) -- Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency and a Canada-based energy company to step up efforts to contain an oil spill in the Kalamazoo River, after more than 840,000 gallons of oil leaked from a pipeline since Monday.
"There needs to be a lot more done," the governor said Tuesday, after touring the river area in a helicopter. "We don't have enough resources right now for containing the spill to the level where we can feel comfortable."
"The last thing any of us want is to see a smaller version of what has happened in the Gulf," she said, referring to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Oil began leaking from the 30-inch line Monday, moving from Talmadge Creek into the Kalamazoo River, which flows from near the city of Battle Creek into Lake Michigan. The pipeline normally carries 190,000 barrels of oil per day from Griffith, Indiana, to Sarnia, Ontario.
Officials do not know what caused the oil to leak, but the pipeline now has been shut down. It is owned by Enbridge Energy Partners, based in Canada.
The slick spans some 16 miles, and the governor is worried it could reach popular Morrow Lake, between Battle Creek and the city of Kalamazoo.
Crews staffed by Enbridge are using booms to try to contain the oil and vacuum trucks to clean it up. The effort is being supervised by the EPA.
But Granholm fears the slick may spreading faster than it can be contained.
"Clearly this is a significant incident," she said. "It cannot be taken lightly. We need all hands on deck."
The river right now is close to flood stage, complicating efforts to contain the slick.
Two homes near the spill site have been evacuated, and 25 people worried about health issues have been relocated, according to Jim Rutherford, health officer with the Calhoun County Health Department.
Officials say there's no immediate danger to drinking water.
Wildlife has been affected, with some fish and birds coated in oil. The energy company is preparing a wildlife rehabilitation center for treating the animals.
People are being urged to avoid swimming or fishing near the affected areas.
Showing posts with label oil spills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oil spills. Show all posts
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
When is the "A Whale" skimmer going to skim? The containment cap has been removed, gushing oil full throttle.
The "A Whale," a giant supertanker converted to skim oil from the spill in the Gulf of Mexico will continue testing after "inconclusive results" over the Fourth of July weekend, a spokesperson for the Unified Command Joint Information Center said.
The tests were "inconclusive in light of the rough sea state we are encountering," a
spokesperson said. Testing operations were located in a 25 square-mile area just to the north of the well-site according to Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the Joint Incident Commander.
The ship, must still gain approval to operate from the U.S. Coast Guard, officials said.
No timeline has been set for the completion of additional tests, according to Unified Command. Why not?
The oil leak, which began on April 20, with the fatal explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig, and is still gushing from a ruptured well pipe, is the largest oil spill disaster in U.S. history.
The 1,100-foot-long vessel (approximately 3 ½ football fields) is ten stories high and can process 500,000 barrels (21 million gallons) of oil mixed with water every day.
The A-Whale "brings a piece of technology that has never been used in the U.S. oil spill response," Allen said.
Rear Adm. Paul Zukunft of the Coast Guard said on Friday that sea levels needed to be "about three feet or less" to be able to effectively skim.
No timeline has been set for the completion of additional tests, according to Unified Command. Why not?
The oil leak, which began on April 20, with the fatal explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig, and is still gushing from a ruptured well pipe, is the largest oil spill disaster in U.S. history.
The 1,100-foot-long vessel (approximately 3 ½ football fields) is ten stories high and can process 500,000 barrels (21 million gallons) of oil mixed with water every day.
The A-Whale "brings a piece of technology that has never been used in the U.S. oil spill response," Allen said.
Rear Adm. Paul Zukunft of the Coast Guard said on Friday that sea levels needed to be "about three feet or less" to be able to effectively skim.
With the containment cap removed since Saturday, July 10th, allowing crude oil gushing into the Gulf at full throttle, why isn't something, ANYTHING, being done?
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Phillipe Cousteau and CNN's dive into the oil spill
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Friday, July 9, 2010
Where have you gone, Mr. President? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you!
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Tuesday, July 6, 2010
'70s Board Game contains eerie BP oil spill scenarios
A nearly 40-year-old board game is getting a lot of new attention because of eerie similarities between the scenarios of its play and the 78-day-old BP Gulf oil disaster.
The game BP Offshore Oil Strike, which came out in the 1970s and is adorned with an old BP logo, revolves around four players exploring for oil, building platforms and constructing pipelines – all in the name of being the first to make $120 million.
But like the real-life oil game there are some big hazards, too. Players have to deal with the possibility of large-scale oil spills and cover cleanup costs. You struggle with "hazard cards" that include phrases now part of our daily vernacular, including: "Blow-out! Rig damaged. Oil slick cleanup costs. Pay $1 million."
Sound a little familiar? The similarity has led to discussions all over the Web. It's prompted people to dig in their attics and put their old games up on eBay – many of which have promptly been snatched up.
One copy of the game was donated to the largest toy museum in England, the House on the Hill Toy Museum in Stansted, Essex.
The museum's owner, Alan Goldsmith, told CNN he was shocked when he saw the donated game.
"It was sort of uncanny how it was similar to what's happening really," Goldsmith said. "I thought it was odd that it was a game in the '70s, which has basically now come true. The interesting thing is that it was in dollars, even though it was a European game. The cleanup bill was $1 million, which we now know isn't nearly enough, but it is a weird colorful circle."
The game came out during the oil crisis of the '70s – and perhaps it was an attempt to drum up support for U.S.-based drilling.
Goldsmith said as a part of the game, players work to amass a drilling empire. But the game comes with all of the scenarios of the present Gulf disaster. Even the game board and cover resemble images from the Gulf these days – with rigs attempting to reach far into the ocean depths.
The game has many people online remarking about whether it eerily foreshadowed the current BP disaster.
"It's strange, you've got this fictitious board game with fictitious drama – but it couldn't be any closer to the reality of what's happening now," Goldsmith said.
The world of video games, meanwhile, appears to have a more direct link to the Gulf oil disaster.
In "Crisis in the Gulf," which an independent producer released last month for the Xbox, gamers use weapons to zap blobs of oil.
The game is available for purchase through Xbox's online marketplace.
The game BP Offshore Oil Strike, which came out in the 1970s and is adorned with an old BP logo, revolves around four players exploring for oil, building platforms and constructing pipelines – all in the name of being the first to make $120 million.
But like the real-life oil game there are some big hazards, too. Players have to deal with the possibility of large-scale oil spills and cover cleanup costs. You struggle with "hazard cards" that include phrases now part of our daily vernacular, including: "Blow-out! Rig damaged. Oil slick cleanup costs. Pay $1 million."
Sound a little familiar? The similarity has led to discussions all over the Web. It's prompted people to dig in their attics and put their old games up on eBay – many of which have promptly been snatched up.
One copy of the game was donated to the largest toy museum in England, the House on the Hill Toy Museum in Stansted, Essex.
The museum's owner, Alan Goldsmith, told CNN he was shocked when he saw the donated game.
"It was sort of uncanny how it was similar to what's happening really," Goldsmith said. "I thought it was odd that it was a game in the '70s, which has basically now come true. The interesting thing is that it was in dollars, even though it was a European game. The cleanup bill was $1 million, which we now know isn't nearly enough, but it is a weird colorful circle."
The game came out during the oil crisis of the '70s – and perhaps it was an attempt to drum up support for U.S.-based drilling.
Goldsmith said as a part of the game, players work to amass a drilling empire. But the game comes with all of the scenarios of the present Gulf disaster. Even the game board and cover resemble images from the Gulf these days – with rigs attempting to reach far into the ocean depths.
The game has many people online remarking about whether it eerily foreshadowed the current BP disaster.
"It's strange, you've got this fictitious board game with fictitious drama – but it couldn't be any closer to the reality of what's happening now," Goldsmith said.
The world of video games, meanwhile, appears to have a more direct link to the Gulf oil disaster.
In "Crisis in the Gulf," which an independent producer released last month for the Xbox, gamers use weapons to zap blobs of oil.
The game is available for purchase through Xbox's online marketplace.
Do those in oil really believe that they too don't have to eat, drink, and breathe the same as everyone else? It's sad and twisted!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
William Allen Kruse
How many suicides will it take?
My heartfelt sympathy and prayers for all suffering and dying from this onslaught of liquid death.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Larry King's Gulf Telethon allows for immediate relief to the victims of the spill
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Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Large and small donations flowed in Monday evening as dozens of celebrities answered phones for Larry King's telethon to help the people of the U.S. Gulf Coast suffering from the oil disaster.
"A hundred dollars? Wow! Thanks you so much," rocker Tyson Ritter told one donor who called in.
The two-hour CNN show raised $1.3 million with proceeds going to three charities deeply involved in the efforts to help humans, wildlife and the environment.
"Everyone's really pissed off," actress Jenny McCarthy, who was monitoring online messages in the telethon's "Tweet Suite," told host Ryan Seacrest.
Donors could choose to send their money to the United Way, National Wildlife Fund or The Nature Conservancy.
Celebrity journalist Giuliana Rancic said she was on the phone with "Barbara" from Kokomo, Indiana.
"She's saying it's the animals," Rancic said.
Actress Victoria Principal sat next to her on another call.
"We're just talking about the wildlife," Principal said.
Singer Aaron Neville, a New Orleans native, said most of the calls he answered in New York were from people concerned about animals impacted by the oil.
"People are crying on the phone and giving money," Neville said.
Actor Ted Danson said it was important for him to "hear people's emotions, their fear and sadness" when they called in donations.
CNN correspondents reported live from the Gulf Coast, interviewing people whose lives have been interrupted by the oil disaster.
"The toughest thing I see is losing a way of life that we've had down here for generations and generations," said shrimper Archie Dantin in Pointe a la Hache, Louisiana.
A BP spokesman issued a statement Monday saying the oil company is "proceeding with urgency to make the situation right for the environment and for those who have affected by this tragic event."
"We stated from the beginning that we accept responsibility for cleaning up the spill and for paying all legitimate claims for those directly impacted financially by this environmental disaster," BP's statement said.
The company said over 65,000 claims have been submitted and more than 32,000 payments have been made, totaling more than $107 million.
"The average time from filing a claim to checks being issued is only a few days," BP siad. "Even for more complex business claims that have provided supporting documentation."
"I don't think they're responding fast enough," shrimper Keillen Williams said.
Retired NBA star Jalen Rose, who was helping answered phones at CNN's Los Angeles bureau, said he is sure President Barack Obama will make BP pay.
"But it will take time for that to happen, so we're here today to provide immediate relief to those in need," Rose said.
http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Kevin Costner to the Gulf's rescue? Let's pray this works!
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?
(CNN) -- BP officials have turned to a new source for help with their oil cleanup efforts: actor Kevin Costner.
The oil giant announced Monday that it had ordered 32 machines from Costner's company, the actor told CNN in an exclusive interview on "AC360."
The machines use a centrifuge mechanism to separate oil from water and recycle the crude at the same time, Costner said.
"This is the key, it's the linchpin to people going back to work. It's certainly a way to fight oil spills in the 21st century," he said. "It creates an efficiency where there are no efficiencies out there, and it's been a long time coming."
Costner said he had been working on developing the machine since 1992 or 1993 with the help of his brother, a scientist.
Each machine ways about 4,000 pounds, he said, and will allow crews to collect more oil.
"Skimmers are picking up 90 percent water, 10 percent oil, and they throw it into a barge ... What this machine simply does, in that particular case, will give a pure payload. Suddenly a barge will be coming back to shore with 99 percent oil as opposed to the other way around," he said.
Costner described the machine to a congressional committee last week.
"It may seem an unlikely scenario that I'm the one delivering this technology at this moment in time, but from where I'm sitting, it is equally inconceivable that these machines are not already in place," he said.
http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/
?
(CNN) -- BP officials have turned to a new source for help with their oil cleanup efforts: actor Kevin Costner.
The oil giant announced Monday that it had ordered 32 machines from Costner's company, the actor told CNN in an exclusive interview on "AC360."
The machines use a centrifuge mechanism to separate oil from water and recycle the crude at the same time, Costner said.
"This is the key, it's the linchpin to people going back to work. It's certainly a way to fight oil spills in the 21st century," he said. "It creates an efficiency where there are no efficiencies out there, and it's been a long time coming."
Costner said he had been working on developing the machine since 1992 or 1993 with the help of his brother, a scientist.
Each machine ways about 4,000 pounds, he said, and will allow crews to collect more oil.
"Skimmers are picking up 90 percent water, 10 percent oil, and they throw it into a barge ... What this machine simply does, in that particular case, will give a pure payload. Suddenly a barge will be coming back to shore with 99 percent oil as opposed to the other way around," he said.
Costner described the machine to a congressional committee last week.
"It may seem an unlikely scenario that I'm the one delivering this technology at this moment in time, but from where I'm sitting, it is equally inconceivable that these machines are not already in place," he said.
http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Protests over spill to take place across five continents today
Environmentalists plan to stage a worldwide protest against BP on Saturday as it takes hits from politicians and Gulf residents.
Worldwide BP Protest Day claims demonstrations will take place in more than 50 cities across five continents from Pensacola, Florida, to Christchurch, New Zealand.
“Let the world know YOU care,” says a flyer on the group’s Facebook page. “We need to let BP know that we are NOT okay with what they are putting in OUR oceans.”
The protests come as politicians and Gulf residents slammed BP on Friday over its efforts to end the spew of oil into the Gulf of Mexico and make whole those who have been hurt.
British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg appealed for a reduction in the vitriol that has gripped many observers. "I don't, frankly, think we're going to reach a solution stopping the release of oil into the Gulf any quicker by allowing this to spiral into a tit-for-tat political, diplomatic spat," he said.
That comment elicited no sympathy from Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser. "Obviously, Nick hasn't been over here and touched the oil. We get a tropical storm that brings that oil and lays it across coastal Louisiana, we're wiped out for the next 20 years. This community will be dead, and they're talking like we're being too tough?"
http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/
Worldwide BP Protest Day claims demonstrations will take place in more than 50 cities across five continents from Pensacola, Florida, to Christchurch, New Zealand.
“Let the world know YOU care,” says a flyer on the group’s Facebook page. “We need to let BP know that we are NOT okay with what they are putting in OUR oceans.”
The protests come as politicians and Gulf residents slammed BP on Friday over its efforts to end the spew of oil into the Gulf of Mexico and make whole those who have been hurt.
British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg appealed for a reduction in the vitriol that has gripped many observers. "I don't, frankly, think we're going to reach a solution stopping the release of oil into the Gulf any quicker by allowing this to spiral into a tit-for-tat political, diplomatic spat," he said.
That comment elicited no sympathy from Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser. "Obviously, Nick hasn't been over here and touched the oil. We get a tropical storm that brings that oil and lays it across coastal Louisiana, we're wiped out for the next 20 years. This community will be dead, and they're talking like we're being too tough?"
http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Naturally Occurring Bacteria Could Help Clean Oil Spill
By Brit Liggett of Inhabitat.com.
Efforts by BP and the US government to stop leakage have come up with empty hands, however it turns out one of the keys to cleanup might already exist in the now oil-infested waters. Natural microbes present in every ocean are superb cleaners, and with the addition of a bit of fertilizer they could prove successful in removing oil from the Gulf. A quick dusting would help the microbes multiply and then they would dine on oil en masse until it’s gone.
The process of using naturally present microorganisms to clean up oil spills is called bioremediation. Unfortunately the process won’t work out at sea and can only be used when the oil reaches shore — which is what the coast guard and clean-up workers are currently trying to prevent. The microorganisms, even without fertilizers, will begin to chow down on the oil when it enters their natural habitat. So, with the addition of sulfate or nitrate fertilizers the microorganism multiply beyond their natural state and eat up the toxic metals invading their home at up to five times the rate that they would without assistance.
There is a side effect to this process, however — Isn’t there always? It is possible that after the microorganisms devour the massive oil spill they could introduce the heavy metals present in the spill into the food chain. Larger organisms eat them and on up the ladder until it reaches humans. So though bioremediation may be lessening the initial impact of oil spills on the surrounding waters it could be introducing that very oil spill into our diets.
http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/
Efforts by BP and the US government to stop leakage have come up with empty hands, however it turns out one of the keys to cleanup might already exist in the now oil-infested waters. Natural microbes present in every ocean are superb cleaners, and with the addition of a bit of fertilizer they could prove successful in removing oil from the Gulf. A quick dusting would help the microbes multiply and then they would dine on oil en masse until it’s gone.
There is a side effect to this process, however — Isn’t there always? It is possible that after the microorganisms devour the massive oil spill they could introduce the heavy metals present in the spill into the food chain. Larger organisms eat them and on up the ladder until it reaches humans. So though bioremediation may be lessening the initial impact of oil spills on the surrounding waters it could be introducing that very oil spill into our diets.
http://whoseroleisitanyway.blogspot.com/
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