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BP Responds to EPA Directive on Dispersants

  • May 23, 2010

In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s directive to BP on the use of dispersants to help manage the Deepwater Horizon oil flow in the Gulf of Mexico, the company said that it continues to believe that COREXIT remains the best option.

EPA had directed BP to evaluate available, pre-approved dispersants for toxicity and effectiveness.

"None of the other dispersants that meet the acute toxicity and effectiveness criteria are available in sufficient quantities at this time," according to the letter to EPA from BP's Doug Suttles. "Before supporting a decision to switch to those dispersants, it would be important to review the formula for each alternative and evaluate it for additional risks, such as persistence in the environment. BP has not been able to do this in the time provided."

EPA has encouraged manufacturers to release Confidential Business Information related to the dispersant formulas so that BP could more effectively consider the alternatives.

Comments

Wed, May 26, 2010 Ron

I'm sure that the fines will make the environment cleaner, and cause the leak to plug itself. After all, BP obviously wants to pollute the gulf, rather than capture the millions of gallons of oil and sell it for profit. Get real.

Wed, May 26, 2010 Jerry San Diego

Here's an idea.. in addition to "all cost incurred", plus the fines, take that oil wrell away from BP, give it to ThePoeplesOil.org for 100% funding of re-educating all those folks that lost jobs at the water-front, to be haz-mat inspectors, and any other enviro-related career they choose. We would have a "new-blood" in the ranks, taking a higher level of responsibility. Now, don't get nme wrong, I respect ALL of you that take your work seriously.. I'm just poking at the ones that have become lazy, superficial, or otherwise "less-effective" on the sustainability of their jobs.. nespecially the managers that are not managing for new programs to move forward. The true path to strength (aka "sustainability"), is the elimination of weakness. Eh?

Tue, May 25, 2010 RAL

Before posting, maybe you should so a little research. EPA has a list of pre-approved dispersants in the National Contingency Plan (NCP). BP does not need a permit to follow the NCP. Don't mis-interpret my comments as defending BP. They have a very poor safety/environmental track record, nor am I criticizing the EPA for their lack of response (why did it take Lisa Jackson over one month to visit LA?) BP plc, will get fined and most likely, the evil Haliburton will be assessed a penalty, too.

Tue, May 25, 2010

EPA has the authority to fine any permittee or polluter that adversely impacts the environment. Is a permit required? Does BP have a permit? Are they in violation of a water quality standard? I would hope the answer to all is yes and that fines should be levied. Get it done EPA!

Sun, May 23, 2010

i guess it is obvoius who is in charge and who is taking directives from who

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