Thad Allen Expresses Concerns Over Relief Well

Philip Bunnell - Talk Radio News Service

A temporary cap may now be in place, but National Incident Commander, Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said Friday that debris at the bottom of a relief well could delay the planned ‘static kill’ to shut off the Deepwater Horizon well once and for all.

Allen reiterated his and BP’s cleanup crews determination to “see this thing through to the finish,” and that he would work with local authorities to determine the standards that crews will work under when cleaning up beaches affected by the Gulf oil spill.

However, the debris, which found its way into the bottom of the relief well due to storms, has Allen cautious.  “The greatest concern to us right now is the relief well,” he said. Only once the debris is cleared, “that’s when we can truly end this threat to the environment in the Gulf.”

The debris could push back the date officials want to conduct the static kill to Monday or Tuesday, said Allen.

Podesta Claims Gulf Coast Spill Could Be Oil's Final Nail In the Coffin

By Linn Grubbstrom - Talk Radio News Service

John Podesta, the head of the think tank Center for American Progress, said Tuesday that the disastrous oil spill off the Gulf Coast could be the catalyst to finally move the U.S. away from oil.

"It's our hope that 2010 will be remembered as the year the U.S. began to turn away from oil in a meaningful, serious way. We've been talking about it for probably 40 years now," said Podesta during a forum held by the National Italian American Foundation. "I think ... maybe 2010 will be that moment were we really do begin that long march towards cleaner sources of energy."

However, to be able to do that Podesta, who served as Chief of Staff in the Clinton administration, wants President Barack Obama and Congress to take several immediate steps toward the development of renewable energy.

"I would like to see him go faster, I would like to see the Senate move forward this summer," said Podesta.

Boehner Says The Government Should Share Responsibility For The BP Spill

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) suggested Thursday morning that the federal government should share responsibility for the oil spill off the Gulf Coast.

"I think the people responsible in the oil spill, BP and the federal government, should take full responsibility for [the oil spill]," Boehner said during a press briefing.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) office claimed that Boehner's remarks signaled his support for using public funds BP to help pay for the damage caused by the environmental disaster.

"House Republican Leader John Boehner ... declared that American taxpayers should bailout the Big Oil giant," a press release from the Speaker's office stated. "House Democrats are siding with American taxpayers. BP should be held accountable."

Boehner's staff told several media outlets that the comments were only meant to reflect that the government should be responsible for oversight, and not the costs accrued by the clean up.

During the briefing Boehner also criticized the amount hearings being held on Capitol Hill to investigate the spill.

"Well, this is congress at it's best," Boehner joked, eliciting laughter from the journalists in attendance. "Why the hell don't we get the oil stopped ... figure out what the hell went wrong, and then have the hearing and get the damn law fixed?"

Obama Announces Plan To Explore Offshore Drilling

President Barack Obama announced today that his administration will approve oil and gas exploration off parts of the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

"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," said the President during remarks delivered on Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

The announcement marks the end of a long-standing federal moratorium on offshore drilling, and comes as somewhat of a surprise to both critics and supporters of Mr. Obama, who until now has opposed the idea of opening up U.S. coastlines to drilling for energy resources.

The initiative involves a slight compromise between the administration and environmentalists. While government agencies will be allowed to conduct studies in parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern Gulf of Mexico, no exploration will be allowed to take place in Alaska's Bristol Bay, considered an oil haven by drilling advocates.

"My administration will consider potential new areas for development in the mid and south Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, while studying and protecting sensitive areas in the Arctic. That’s why we’ll continue to support development of leased areas off the North Slope of Alaska, while protecting Alaska’s Bristol Bay," said Mr. Obama.

The President's slightly modified energy strategy will likely be viewed as an attempt to appease groups on each side of the issue. Oil and natural gas companies, who may have a chance in two years to lease areas the government deems suitable for drilling, should embrace the decision. On the other hand, environmental organizations, who oppose increased domestic drilling, should appreciate the administration's continued attempts to promote the development of renewable energy sources, an initiative Mr. Obama acknowledged on Wednesday.

"With less than 2 percent of oil reserves, but more than 20 percent of world consumption, drilling alone cannot come close to meeting our long-term energy needs, and that for the sake of the planet and our energy independence, we need to begin the transition to cleaner fuels now."