Dispersants break down oil by helping it to sink and biodegrade more quickly. Corexit, the main type of dispersant BP is using, was banned in the United Kingdom due to environmental concerns.
There are more effective alternatives to Corexit, such as Dispersit, which outperformed Corexit in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tests. EPA data also showed the Dispersit was far less toxic.
BP may be using Corexit, a Nalco product, because of Nalco’s close relationship with major oil firms. However, Nalco spokesman Charles Pajor said that the former oil industry officials are “not by any means a majority.”
The Obama administration has allowed BP almost complete control over the clean-up. Jacqueline Savitz, director of pollution campaigns at Oceana, a marine advocacy group said, “At this point I think it would be appropriate for the government to start taking control.”
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Louisana State Legislature will hold a hearing tomorrow on Senate Bill 549, a new proposal that would prevent university law clinics from engaging in suits against government agencies, suits seeking monetary damages, and suits that raise constitutional challenges.
There are few times when lobbying efforts pay off so handsomely. The cruise line industry increased its spending on lobbyists at the Alaska State Legislature last year 35 percent. And what did they get from Gov. Sean Parnell who took office after Gov. Sarah Palin resigned in July?
