Yesterday the Ventura County Star reported:
“If it jumps over the many state and federal hurdles, Pacific Operators Offshore LLC could drill as many as 25 underwater wells over the course of seven years from Platform Hogan. [...] Although Pacific Operators Offshore drills on just two of the platforms in the oil-rich channel, it has accrued the most violations of basic operating procedures of any company working in the channel, a Star investigation found last year.”
A new investigative documentary on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The Big Fix recounts the events surrounding the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform and paints a disturbing picture of the aftermath of the largest oil spill in America’s history. An official selection of the Cannes Film Festival, the film features award winning actor Peter Fonda, actress Amy Smart, and music by Grammy singer/songwriter Jason Mraz. On December 2-8 the film will screen in New York City at the AMC Loews Village 7 cinemas.
To see the film trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg_fpr6XBFM
For upcoming dates/ locations: http://www.thebigfixmovie.com
To organize a film screening: info@greenplanet3d.com
The Obama administration today released its five year plan for selling offshore drilling leases in U.S. waters. The plan focuses primarily on the Gulf of Mexico, with twelve potential lease sales scheduled to occur in the 2012-2017 timeframe. These include five lease sales in the western Gulf of Mexico; five lease sales in the central Gulf; and two lease sales in the eastern Gulf that are not under congressional moratorium.
The plan also includes three potential lease sales off the coast of Alaska – a controversial decision given the likely challenges with spill prevention and response in the harsh conditions of the Arctic Ocean. Under the plan, leasing in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas could move forward in 2015 and 2016, respectively, pending further scientific analysis of the area and evaluation of the results of current exploration proposals.
Notably, the plan does not open up new lease areas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, a decision applauded by the Surfrider Foundation. “We’re pleased that the Obama Administration has decided to protect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts from new offshore drilling”, said Pete Stauffer, Ocean Ecosystem Program Manager. “Our nation’s coasts are vital recreational, economic and ecological resources that will be polluted by an increase in offshore oil drilling.
For more information, on the Administration’s 2012-2017 leasing plan, please click here.