Just Like Katrina
On MSNBC an AP report: Environmental damage widespread after Ike
WASHINGTON – Hurricane Ike’s winds and massive waves destroyed oil platforms, tossed storage tanks and punctured pipelines. The environmental damage only now is becoming apparent: At least a half million gallons of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico and the marshes, bayous and bays of Louisiana and Texas, according to an analysis of federal data by The Associated Press.
…The AP’s analysis found that, by far, the most common contaminant left in Ike’s wake was crude oil — the lifeblood and main industry of both Texas and Louisiana. In the week of reports analyzed, enough crude oil was spilled nearly to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and more could be released, officials said, as platforms and pipelines were turned back on.
The Minerals Management Service, which oversees oil production in federal waters offshore, said the storm destroyed at least 52 oil platforms of roughly 3,800 in the Gulf of Mexico. Thirty-two more were severely damaged. But there was only one confirmed report of an oil spill — a leak of 8,400 gallons that officials said left no trace because it dissipated with the winds and currents.
There will be effect caused by all of this oil dumped into the Gulf. You may not see them immediately, but they’ll show up in the food chain in the water. There will be die offs because of it, and the shell fish will be polluted. It happens every time there is a big hurricane that reaches into the Western Gulf, and they want to do the same thing to the Eastern Gulf.
2 comments
But you’ll hear the talking points “there was no damage…blah..blah..blah…drill baby drill.”
That’s why I posted it. I don’t want to go looking for the cites when the propaganda begins.