Update on the Oil Catastrophe in the Gulf

We imagine that you're just like us - you've become more and more shocked as you keep reading the news about the massive oil slick spreading across the Gulf of Mexico after last week's BP oil rig explosion.

First off, you should take action on our newly-created Oil Spill page: www.sierraclub.org/oilspill

We've also been combing the web finding the interesting articles for you. To begin, our Executive Director Michael Brune was on the Rachel Maddow show last night talking about this disaster.

There's word now that some of the oil came ashore early this morning in Louisiana, and there's a full scale mobilization now to try to stop the worst of its effects. Here's the official response website.

We're also hearing that the smell of the oil is very apparent in coastal Louisiana now, too - this HuffPost article seems to confirm that one.

Thankfully there was some good news this morning, the Obama administration announced it will suspend its plans for new offshore drilling until this accident is fully investigated, but it's not a permanent stoppage of any offshore drilling plans.

Grist has a good piece on how the Gulf Coast has become the whipping boy for industrial wastes from farming and other industry.

Wondering what it takes to stop a massive leak from a pipeline well 5,000 feet under the sea? This NPR interview will help you with that.

ProPublica looks at the U.S. Minerals Management Service and its role in all this.

For the policy side, the NY Times' Room for Debate blog has several experts' takes on how this disaster will affect current and future offshore drilling. The NY Times also had a piece about how BP's image will hold up.

See any other news worth talking about? Post it in our comments section. And don't forget to go take action at www.sierraclub.org/oilspill

Comments

[Tom Conroy]

This is a perfect example of the same energy companies that cannot control this disaster want to build new NUCLEAR power plants / giant CANCER machines. HOW will they contain highly radioactive cancer causing agents ???? Does it always take a disaster to learn a lesson ? Obama sold out to Excelon nuke money.

[Tom Conroy]

NUCLEAR MELTDOWN NEXT ?? What has changed since Chernobyl except time ? The same energy companies wrecking the gulf want our taxpayer money(loan guarantees) to build their new nuclear power plants. Obama sold out to them already(Excelon). Whats their plan on containing highly radioactive cancer causing invisable radiation ? Chemotherapy ?? When will we ever learn ? SAD

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