Oil, Obama and the Sleazy MMS


President Barak Obama has decided to set up a specialist panel following the ongoing oil crisis, and the involved parties blaming each other. The commission is to be set up to examine industry practices and the governments roll in the disaster.

The oil has been contaminating the Gulf since 20th April when the BP Deepwater Horizon rig exploded. BP reported that they were managing to funnel the equivalent of 2000 barrels of oil from the well to a tanker ship. This reported figure of 2000 barrels a day only equates to 40% of the estimated daily spill. a

The President would establish a presidential commission, by executive order according to Whitehouse officials. It would study oil industry practices including the agency responsible for regulating offshore oil drilling, Minerals Management Service (MMS), and look at regulations and government oversight.

Salazar, who oversees the federal agency that monitors offshore drilling, will testify before two Senate committees this coming Tuesday (19th May). The Environmental Protection Agency and the Coast Guard Commandant will also testify at a separate hearing, with the oil company executives back for another round of questions.

Scientists said the oil will move into the so-called loop current soon if it hasn