oil spill
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Energy industry mishaps show differing community responses
Recent accidents in Louisiana and New England highlight contrasting community and regulatory reactions to mishaps in the oil and wind energy sectors.
In short:
- A 34,000-gallon oil spill in Louisiana's Bayou Lafourche from Crescent Midstream Crude Oil Facility resulted in significant environmental damage, affecting local water supplies and wildlife.
- In contrast, a wind turbine failure in Massachusetts sparked outrage among affluent property owners despite causing no harm to people or the environment, leading to swift regulatory action.
- Critics argue these incidents reflect an uneven scrutiny level between oil and renewable energy sectors, with oil accidents often receiving less attention.
Key quote:
“Oil and gas industry failures tend to be pretty mundane, but anytime something goes wrong with renewable energy, people just become incensed.”
— Jackson Voss, Alliance for Affordable Energy
Why this matters:
These incidents highlight disparities in how communities perceive and respond to oil and renewable energy accidents, affecting public opinion and regulatory focus. The differing reactions also suggest a need for consistent standards and scrutiny across all energy sectors to ensure fair treatment and environmental safety.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Alex Traveler/Flickr
Tanker sinks in Manila Bay, sparking fears of major oil spill
A Philippine oil tanker sank in Manila Bay, potentially causing a major spill, after being battered by waves, prompting the coast guard to rescue 16 of 17 crew members.
In short:
- The Terra Nova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel, sank after battling huge waves.
- Aerial surveys show a 2.3-mile oil spill near the sinking site, but it might be engine fuel, not cargo oil.
- The coast guard is preparing for potential shoreline contamination in Manila and considering siphoning the fuel.
Key quote:
“There’s a big danger that Manila would be affected, its shorelines, if the fuel leaks because this happened within Manila Bay. It’s part of the contingency we’re preparing for. The effect on the marine environment would not be good.”
— Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, Coast Guard spokesperson
Why this matters:
This isn't just an interruption in the local maritime traffic; it's a potential environmental nightmare. An oil spill in Manila Bay could devastate marine life, send fishing communities into crisis and spawn health risks that could ripple far beyond the bay itself. Read more: Numerous miles-long oil spills have been reported on one of Pittsburgh’s iconic three rivers.
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Credit: Patrick Feller/Flickr
Barge collision collapses Galveston bridge, triggers oil spill
A barge collision caused a partial collapse of a Galveston bridge, leading to an oil spill and the closure of the only road to Pelican Island.
Juan Lozano and Lekan Oyekanmi report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- A barge hit the Pelican Island Causeway Bridge, causing partial collapse and oil spillage into nearby waters.
- The accident halted access to Pelican Island and led to a cleanup effort but is not expected to cause major economic disruptions.
- The bridge, built in 1960 and rated in poor condition, was scheduled for replacement in 2025.
Key quote:
"The current was very bad, and the tide was high. He lost it."
— David Flores, bridge superintendent, Galveston County Navigation District
Why this matters:
The incident shows the risks associated with aging infrastructure and the potential environmental impact of oil spills, emphasizing the need for timely maintenance and upgrades to prevent similar occurrences. Read more: Source of pride and pollution: Balancing energy needs and community health.
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Contamination at Oklahoma farm highlights oil industry's neglect
Oklahoma farm suffers extensive environmental damage as local family battles oil companies over contaminated land and water sources.
Mark Olalde, reports for ProPublica, and Nick Bowlin for Capital & Main.
In short:
- Salt water leakage from an oil well on the Ledgerwood's farm killed vegetation and contaminated their drinking water.
- The family struggled to get accountability from oil companies, which often evade cleanup costs through bankruptcy.
- The estimated cleanup cost for Oklahoma's unplugged wells is about $7 billion, with insufficient funds set aside by the oil industry.
Key quote:
"We don’t get these years back. There’s no way to pay for that. We’ll never have back what we had."
— Stan Ledgerwood, Oklahoma farmer
Why this matters:
The contamination of land and water can lead to a cascade of adverse effects, not just on the immediate agricultural output but also on local wildlife and ecosystems. The potential seepage of pollutants into groundwater, for example, poses a significant risk to human health, affecting communities' access to clean drinking water.
Related: Dead livestock and poisoned water — Texas farmers sue over PFAS contamination
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Photo by Maël BALLAND on Unsplash
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.
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Remediation overdue: South American countries fail to enforce oil cleanup laws
Existing legislation in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia provides for the remediation of environmental damage, though experts point to a “lack of political will” to enforce the laws.
Photo by Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash
The remarkable story of how Yemen’s oil tanker disaster was averted by crowdfunding
When civil war broke out in 2015, a leaky oil tanker in the Red Sea became a crisis point – triggering a nail-biting series of events that saw special negotiations between the Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government, and the UN begging the public for help – and getting it from a bunch of US schoolchildren.
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