2010-05-30 A constructive suggestion for retribution against BP

2010-05-30 PZ Myers Pharyngula \BP\Deepwater Horizon oil spill\oil drilling http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/05/a_constructive_suggestion_for.php A constructive suggestion for retribution against BP A constructive suggestion for retribution against BP  Here's a map of the approximately 4000 oil rigs operating in the Gulf of Mexico.

Everyone is fixated on that one burning mess in the Gulf, which is probably exactly what the oil companies want – they are probably sweating pungent carcinogenic petrochemicals at the thought that someone might look around and notice all of those other rigs, which almost certainly have a paper trail of shortcuts and risks and shoddy management. While BP is struggling to catch up with its responsibilities and close off the well and clean up the poisons, I think a great thing for the Obama administration to do would be to descend on each of those other wells with a force of elite regulatory accountants, documenting all the potential and extant problems, and telling each company to fix them. Now. Without cheating, without getting any special dispensations. If they can't fix them, shut them down or hit them with massive penalties.

I have a very low opinion of oil company executives. I doubt that they have any sincere regrets about the loss of life or the destruction of the environment. But having to fix every place where they shaved corners, and pay out money to bring everything up to legally mandated standards – now that will make them cry.

&ldquo;Here's a map of the approximately 4000 oil rigs operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Everyone is fixated on that one burning mess in the Gulf, which is probably exactly what the oil companies want...&rdquo;   