gulf of mexico
Newsletter
Flawed federal assessment for Gulf oil drilling is thrown out by court
A U.S. District Court has rejected a flawed federal environmental assessment that underestimated the risks of offshore drilling to endangered marine species in the Gulf of Mexico.
In short:
- The court found the National Marine Fisheries Service's 2020 biological opinion underestimated the risks of oil spills and failed to protect endangered species like the Rice’s whale.
- The court ruled that the opinion violated the law by assuming that large oil spills, like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, were unlikely to occur.
- The federal agency must produce a new, legally compliant assessment by December 2024.
Key quote:
“This decision means the Fisheries Service must comply with the law to put in place meaningful safeguards for the Gulf’s rarest marine species.”
— Chris Eaton, senior attorney with Earthjustice’s Oceans Program
Why this matters:
Endangered species in the Gulf face severe risks from oil drilling, with flawed assessments potentially worsening these threats. Proper environmental oversight is crucial to prevent further ecological disasters.
Read more: Oil companies pursue offshore drilling, touting lower emissions
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Farm to Trouble series: Farming practices contribute to persistent Gulf of Mexico "dead zone"
One year away from the deadline to reduce farm runoff into the Gulf of Mexico by 20%, the goal remains out of reach.
In short:
- Fertilizer runoff from Midwest farms flows into the Mississippi River, creating a "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico and affecting drinking water upstream.
- Despite over 25 years of federal efforts and billions in funding, targets for reducing runoff are far from being met.
- The "Farm to Trouble" series explores potential solutions and examines the ongoing impact of agricultural runoff on the environment.
Why this matters:
Unchecked agricultural runoff degrades water quality, harms marine ecosystems and poses risks to human health. The health of the Gulf of Mexico’s ecosystem is at stake, affecting marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing and tourism. The persistent pollution contributes to broader environmental concerns, such as water quality issues and the resilience of coastal ecosystems against climate change.
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Newsletter
More than 1 million gallons of oil leaks into Gulf of Mexico, potentially putting endangered species at risk
Officials have yet to find the source of the oil spill, which has left chunky globules and long slicks near a 67-mile-long pipeline system off the coast of Louisiana.
Newsletter
A coming oil crash? Offshore permits hit 19-year low under Biden
The Biden administration has green-lighted a record low number of new offshore oil wells, a data point that could inflame the already fierce debate over President Joe Biden’s throttling of the aging offshore oil sector in the Gulf of Mexico.
A saltwater wedge climbing the Mississippi River threatens drinking water
A saltwater wedge is making its way up the drought-stricken Mississippi River, threatening drinking water for parts of southern Louisiana. It could travel north to New Orleans.
Biden revived rules designed to prevent another Deepwater Horizon disaster
After the 2010 oil spill, the government enacted new safety regulations. President Donald J. Trump weakened them; President Biden has restored them.
Arizona, low on water, weighs taking it from the sea. In Mexico
A $5 billion plan to desalinate seawater in Mexico and pipe it to Phoenix is testing the notion that desert cities can keep growing as the Earth warms.
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