Remember the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster is the worst oil spill to affect the United States in all its history. It occurred in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of off shore drilling. Remember that and decide again if you are in favor of off shore drilling over renewable energy sources.
Facts on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill:
BP made a deal with the government that they would set aside $20 billion toward oil cleanup and spill victims.
16,000 total miles of coastline have been affected, including the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida.
Even though the gushing well was capped in July 2010, oil is still washing up on shores, which might do long-term damages to humans affected.
The initial oil rig explosion killed 11 people and injured 17 others.
President Obama announced that his administration would create a $20 billion spill response fund.
Responders used 5.5 million feet of boom, a barrier placed in water, to collect and absorb oil.
Of the 400 miles of Louisiana coast, approximately 125 miles have been polluted by the oil spill.
One method of treating the oil spill is "in-situ burning" or burning oil in a contained area on the surface of the water. Oil spills are bad, but burning is also bad for the environment.
Over 1,000 animals (birds, turtles, mammals) have been reported dead, including many already on the endangered species list. Of the animals affected by the spill that are still alive only about 6% have been reported cleaned, but many biologists and other scientists predict they will die too.
The BP Oil Spill is the biggest in American history, with between 17 and 39 million gallons spilled in the Gulf of Mexico.
Over 30,000 people responded to the spill in the Gulf Coast working to collect oil, clean up beaches, taking care of animals and performing various other duties.
Sources:
WhiteHouse.gov
USA Today
CNN
Boing Boing
Reuters
New York Daily News
-Wolf
