In addressing the consequences of the BP oil spill, the Obama administration expressed plans for forceful legal actions against BP in the case of evidenced violations of law, while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) launched a research ship to study and sample water affected by the spill.
As the effects of the oil spill expand into the coast of Pensacola Beach, Florida, the Obama administration has taken a stronger stance against BP, creating a commission to investigate the impact and cause of the BP oil spill and suggest reform measures to current “loose” regulations on offshore drilling.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Obama announced the assemblage of a national commission to investigate the BP oil spill. Former EPA administrator Bill Reilly will join former governor of Florida Bob Graham as chairs of the commission.
As the effects of the oil spill expand into the coast of Pensacola Beach, Florida, the Obama administration has taken a stronger stance against BP, creating a commission to investigate the impact and cause of the BP oil spill and suggest reform measures to current “loose” regulations on offshore drilling.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Obama announced the assemblage of a national commission to investigate the BP oil spill. Former EPA administrator Bill Reilly will join former governor of Florida Bob Graham as chairs of the commission.
Bill Reilly served as the EPA administrator during the Exxon Valdez disaster in the past and now chairs the World Wildlife Fund. Bob Graham has earned a reputation as an environmental activist while governor, leading extensive environmental protection efforts in Florida.
The commission will also include a team of scientists and engineers who will work together to investigate the causes of as well formulate reforms and responses to the disaster.
Criminal Charges?
The announcement of the commission’s leadership was accompanied by a press conference held by the Department of Justice’s Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday. Holder held an aggressive stance against BP, saying, “We must also ensure that anyone found responsible for this spill is held accountable. That means enforcing the appropriate civil—and if warranted, criminal—authorities to the full extent of the law.”
Holder further said, “If we find evidence of illegal behavior, we will be forceful in our response.”
Following intensified government reaction, the NOAA launched a research ship—dubbed the Thomas Jefferson—to bolster its efforts of gathering relevant scientific data, which up to this point have been criticized as lacking. In a teleconference on Wednesday, NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco and commanding officer of the ship Shepard Smith spoke about the ship and its mission.
In a 10-day cruise, a crew of 36 researchers and scientists from academic and independent institutes will travel between Maine and Texas, gathering water samples to perform tests to detect the presence and impact of the leaking oil.
Lubchenco spoke of the previous research ship’s difficulty in distinguishing whether particles observed at the subsurface are oil particles or other biological creatures. The purpose of this research mission, Lubchenco said, is partially to shed light on this distinction.
Various research ships have, already been launched in the Gulf; the efforts, for unclear reasons, have however yielded no definitive results on the presence and impacts of the oil on the Gulf’s waters.
The commission will also include a team of scientists and engineers who will work together to investigate the causes of as well formulate reforms and responses to the disaster.
Criminal Charges?
The announcement of the commission’s leadership was accompanied by a press conference held by the Department of Justice’s Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday. Holder held an aggressive stance against BP, saying, “We must also ensure that anyone found responsible for this spill is held accountable. That means enforcing the appropriate civil—and if warranted, criminal—authorities to the full extent of the law.”
Holder further said, “If we find evidence of illegal behavior, we will be forceful in our response.”
Following intensified government reaction, the NOAA launched a research ship—dubbed the Thomas Jefferson—to bolster its efforts of gathering relevant scientific data, which up to this point have been criticized as lacking. In a teleconference on Wednesday, NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco and commanding officer of the ship Shepard Smith spoke about the ship and its mission.
In a 10-day cruise, a crew of 36 researchers and scientists from academic and independent institutes will travel between Maine and Texas, gathering water samples to perform tests to detect the presence and impact of the leaking oil.
Lubchenco spoke of the previous research ship’s difficulty in distinguishing whether particles observed at the subsurface are oil particles or other biological creatures. The purpose of this research mission, Lubchenco said, is partially to shed light on this distinction.
Various research ships have, already been launched in the Gulf; the efforts, for unclear reasons, have however yielded no definitive results on the presence and impacts of the oil on the Gulf’s waters.
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