Environment

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – The co-chairmen of the National Oil Spill Commission are standing by the panel's findings and recommendations to prevent another disaster. Lawmakers took turns commending - and some slamming - the commission's final report. Some say it's premature because it doesn't include findings still being determined on why the blowout preventer failed. Co-chairman William Reilly says the review found systemic failures led to the rig explosion and spill, not one piece of equipment.

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – G-N-O President Michael Hecht says earlier predictions of massive job losses linked to the drilling moratorium haven't materialized.

"Our initial projections, or expectations of job loss, did not come to pass as early as we expected up front."

Hecht says BP money funneled into local economies helped, as well as a slower-than-expected rate of small businesses collapsing.

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Only two of the seven panelists panel managed to attend the first session. Co-chairmen William Reilly and former Senator Bob Graham were stuck in the aftermath of an East Coast snowstorm. Panel members Don Boesch (bawhsh) and Frances Beinecke (BYE-neh-kee) presided at a forum in a downtown New Orleans hotel. Boesch started off with an overview of the major questions, and what the panel has determined.

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – The final report ordered by President Obama says that if changes aren't made in how offshore drilling is conducted, there will be another spill. Co-chairman Bob Graham says the new Congress should raise salaries of government inspectors who oversee the industry - even if the current political climate leans toward cutting government regulations and spending.

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Garret Graves says the commission's report due next Tuesday should outline ways to step up oil and gas operations he says are vital to the national economy.

"We'd like to see the commission coming out and recommending that we quickly move forward on lifting - fully lifting this moratorium, whether it's an official or unofficial moratorium on deepwater and shallow-water oil and gas production."

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – William Reilly is advising the oil and gas industry to form an independent body to increase safety in offshore, deepwater drilling.

"Three of the leading players in the industry made a series of missteps, miscalculations and miscommunications that were breathtakingly inept and largely preventable."

He told an industry group meeting in New Orleans that Congress should increase funding for better inspection systems.

By Eileen Fleming