Oil Rig Catches Fire Off Coast of Mexico and Louisiana - Days After Nation Celebrates Earth Day
Just when thousands celebrated Earth Day an oil rig catches fire off the coast of Mexico leaving 11 workers missing, seventeen workers suffering injuries including burns, smoke inhalation, and broken bones. Four people remain in critical condition.
The crew of the Deepwater Horizon rig were performing exploratory drilling procedures some 50 miles off the Louisiana coast when the sudden explosion occurred.
Environmental concerns have officials wondering if the crude oil on board the platform could begin leaking into the surrounding waters, reaking havoc on the environment. The Coast Guard's Petty Officer Katherine McNamara told reporters a day after the explosion that more than 300,000 gallons of oil per day could be spilled into the Gulf of Mexico.
An AOL news report tells a different story featuring the Coast Guard's Rear Adm. Mary Landry giving a totally opposite account.
(Click picture to begin video)
"At this point in time we are confident that the sheen that we are working with is from the explosion, residual from the explosion," Landry told NBC's "Today" show. "We have not seen any visible signs of crude emanating from the well."
Just when thousands celebrated Earth Day an oil rig catches fire off the coast of Mexico leaving 11 workers missing, seventeen workers suffering injuries including burns, smoke inhalation, and broken bones. Four people remain in critical condition.
The crew of the Deepwater Horizon rig were performing exploratory drilling procedures some 50 miles off the Louisiana coast when the sudden explosion occurred.
Environmental concerns have officials wondering if the crude oil on board the platform could begin leaking into the surrounding waters, reaking havoc on the environment. The Coast Guard's Petty Officer Katherine McNamara told reporters a day after the explosion that more than 300,000 gallons of oil per day could be spilled into the Gulf of Mexico.
An AOL news report tells a different story featuring the Coast Guard's Rear Adm. Mary Landry giving a totally opposite account.
(Click picture to begin video)
"At this point in time we are confident that the sheen that we are working with is from the explosion, residual from the explosion," Landry told NBC's "Today" show. "We have not seen any visible signs of crude emanating from the well."
On Wednesday, just a day before the explosion, President Obama held an Earth Day reception at the White House.
"Earth Day has become much more than a date on the calendar. It’s come to represent the simple truth that with each challenge comes the opportunity to make the world a better place...We’ve strengthened our investment in our most precious resources -- the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the parks and public spaces that we enjoy."
The president, at the beginning of Spring, announced his Comprehensive Strategy for Energy Security slated to expand oil and gas development and exploration on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to enhance our nation’s energy independence. The White House reports that the plan will "protect fisheries, tourism, and places off U.S. coasts that are not appropriate for development". Obama wants to open up the U.S. shoreline from the northern part of Delaware to the central coast of Florida, and the north coast of Alaska for oil and natural gas drilling.
.."in the short term, as we transition to cleaner energy sources, we’ll have to make tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development in ways that protect communities and coastlines", said President Obama.
Adding, "This is not a decision that I’ve made lightly."
The Obama administration is looking for new sources for clean energy while relying less on foreign oil sources in an era where energy is needed, more than ever.
"Given our energy needs, in order to sustain economic growth, produce jobs, and keep our businesses competitive, we’re going to need to harness traditional sources of fuel even as we ramp up production of new sources of renewable, homegrown energy."
Saving our earth, securing energy sources. Both daunting tasks that will require a bit of luck and hard work.
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