Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

On April 28, an explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon, an offshore oil drilling rig rented by the oil company BP, and as a result, a fire took the lives of 11 crew members, and the semi-submersible sank two days later. After it sank approximately 50 miles off of the Louisiana coast, three leaks in a pipe and the well spilled over 5,000 barrels, or 200,000 gallons, daily almost a mile below sea level, making it the largest spill since 1989. Fortunately, due to timely winds and tides, as well as booms to hold the oil and chemical dispersants, the oil did not contaminate beaches or wetlands until three weeks later, but eventually, oil began to show on the surface.

As a result, the spill was called an issue of "national significance" by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and any new offshore drilling would not be allowed until a thorough investigation is conducted. Also, this spill has sparked controversy over energy bills.

Source: The New York Times

By Brigette

U.S. puts hold on drilling permits

The United States has stopped giving permits for drilling the oil out of the Gulf of Mexico.

The workers put out an one hundred ton box, trying to collect most all of the oil, yet only about eighty-five percent of the oil.

Ken Salazar went to the Houston center of BP, which is responsible for getting the oil out of the gulf.

Oil is spilling out into the ocean at five thousand barrels, or two hundred ten thousand gallons daily. The people in charge might be working on Sunday, but they are still debating their schedule.

People say that this job might be the biggest and hardest job involving the Earth. This job hasn't been done or practiced before. Some of the test didn't go well. For example, on April 20th, there was an explosion. Eleven men are missing, and were declared dead on April 27th.

The explosion is expected to last until May 28th. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is causing harm to many animals and plants. Endangered sea turtles are fighting for their life. This could be a problem for all the seas if the oil doesn't get out soon.