One year after BP's oil disaster, the companies involved in the Deepwater Horizon well seem to be doing fine. BP logged $5.6 billion in profits in the last quarter of 2010, up nearly a third from the year before. Transocean, which operated the rig itself, is the designated driller for four of the first 10 new permits issued by the federal government. Halliburton, which cemented the well that blew up, doubled its profits from the quarter before the disaster to this year, with a $511 million haul.
And yet. The New Orleans Times-Picayune uses the first anniversary of BP's disaster to call the company out for not paying to restore the local oyster beds. As the spill continued, Louisiana officials opened freshwater diversions to push the oil back and keep it from entering fragile wetlands. That decision likely spared large swathes of the ecosystem, but it hurt the saltwater oyster beds. BP now says that it shouldn't be responsible for fixing the oyster beds -- for buying new cultch for them -- because creating the diversions wasn't their choice. From the Times-Pic:
Louisiana is willing to let BP count any money spent on rebuilding oyster reefs toward mitigation rather than emergency cleanup costs, which means it won't add to the company's bottom line costs.
That makes BP's intransigence even harder to understand. Louisiana officials made decisions to protect the state's wetlands; BP is driven by a far different motivation, and the company shouldn't be allowed to call the shots.
BP says the oysters don't show evidence of being contaminated by oil, so this can't be their problem. On the other hand, as the Times-Pic points out, BP would have been dinged for the cost of wetlands destroyed if state officials hadn't kept the oil away. To fix the oyster beds, the state had wanted BP to chip in $15 million.
Leave a Comment:
Wow. BP has apparently been hanging out with ostriches, as they are the only other creature I know that puts its head in the sand and leaves its butt in the air for kicking.
I hope they get the kicking they deserve.
corporations before people, smells like fascism to me.
oh wait i'm sorry both sides of our two party system are in some corporation's pocket (not everyone) ...
Can I, you, we, make citizens arrests? Rachael My heart is pounding through my chest.This HAS TO STOP and NOW...BP,Goldmen Saches, Federal Reserve Commission,ALL of them Richer than Rich need to be Held accoutable for all the Suicides,Killing,Stealing,and ruining of Billions of our lives,and future generations...Our WATER, AIR, LAND,HOMES... CORPORATIONS/ BANKS CONTROL GAS we can't afford, AIR we can't breath(pollution),FOOD we can't afford,WATER (BP&EXON OWN)that is polluted for generation & generations to come,ELECTRIC (bills) we cannot pay, and CAUSED FINANCIAL DOWNFALL of the WORLD.
That is NOT OK . I am so serious Someone, has to pay for these crimes
And if a citizens arrest can be done..I'll start..NOW..
Where I live the air is pretty clean, I have no problem paying for my gas, water, and electric. The fact that you can't pay YOUR bills isn't any corporations fault. The fault that you can't pay your bills falls solely on YOUR shoulders. Our great nation was founded and built on the fact that getting rich is something that everyone has a chance to obtain. Take a class or two, work a couple jobs, do whatever it take to afford the resources that cost money. Corporations are not responsible for suicides. Any one that commits a suicide makes that personal choice themselves.
Those on the right seem to take a perverse delight in showing how low they can go.
Since the majority of Americans are having a hard time, I guess Jamie thinks most Americans are just whining deadbeats who only have themselves to blame for not being born into an affluent family, having to focus on survival, being laid off while corporations export decent jobs, etc. How very unpatriotic of you Americans!
Virtues like compassion and generosity are one-way streets for the weak-minded and selfish.
Well put Jamie... and to further comment on that...
Why do all the big business people need to be Held accountable for all the Suicides, Killing, and Stealing?
Janice... did you know that people have free will? They make those decisions on their own. When life throws you a curve ball (and I say when because it happens to EVERYONE) it doesn't mean you can kill someone or steal from someone else just because you were stolen from. That doesn't justify anything. Be a better person. Don't point the finger. What are you going to do to fix your problem and make the situation better?
Second... Do you drink clean water every day? Try going to a third world country where they don't even have running water.
What is wrong with the air? Where do you live? And if you tell me it is in some huge metropolitan area then I will tell you real quick that is your problem. Solution: Move out of the city where there isn't so much pollution.
Do you own a house? If so, tell me who was the person (bank) that loaned you the money to be able to afford it? When you get a loan from someone, and sign a contract, you are binding yourself in an agreement that says you will pay back the loan in a certain period of time. It is called Balancing your checkbook. Our government needs to learn that one. But if you can't afford to pay back a loan then don't buy the house or car you want so badly. Work for it. And FYI I hate interest rates... they suck but what do you do?
Third... The reason food is going up is because..... Can anyone guess???
INFLATION.
That and we are burning a major food source.... CORN... For ethanol. Now why would we burn our food when we have people in our country that can't afford to eat? Does that make sense to you? It sure doesn't to me.
Fourth... I can kind of agree with you on one thing you said... there will eventually be a FINANCIAL DOWNFALL. But not of the World.... of the USA
Jamie and John have been watching too much Glen Beck. They must not have read the news for the last two years. Unemployment is high because there are no jobs. And food is going up because oil prices which are being passed along to the consumers. Get out of the Fox News bubble and you will learn facts instead of a political view.
As a child I grew up by a river. Up the river there were many factories. One day the river caught fire and burned for days. The people became ashamed and forced the government to pass laws to keep the rivers from catching fire. You can google the Cuyahoga River Fire if you would like to watch it burn.
I was a little surprised when the contributors to this blog said that this country was founded so people could get rich. I know of some rights that our founding fathers considered important but I missed the part about getting rich. Now I understand why businesses can lobby our politicians to defund the EPA and other regulatory agencies. It interferes with their right to get rich.
Thanks for setting us all straight Jamie!
I'd also like to thank John for mentioning the poor third worlders who don't have clean water to drink. That's where the factories that I and many other Americans used to live downstream of went.
Messianic nationalists seldom hesitate to display their monumental arrogance and callousness.
You know, I could go on a page long rant about BP. Instead I'll sum it up in three words: I hate BP.
I'd sooner run out of gas than purchase that or anything else from them.
Cora, I got me a idea: it's nearing the end of oyster season. Let's ask the Louisiana oystermen to send a few barrels of polluted oysters to the BP brass and make them eat 'em!
The big new 007 movie coming out this summer: From New Orleans, With Love.
Can you,I we, make Citizens Arrests? this has to STOP and NOW. Corporartions,Banks, and FEDERAL RESERVE should be held ACCOUNTABLE for the Billions of Lives,they have and ARE ruining,killing (suicides,health issues) for the GULF of MEXICO that will be RUINED for GENERATIONS and surrounding lands like ALL of the STATES that are touched by the GULF.
My heart is pounding through my chest. BP<GOLDMAN SACHS,BANK of AMERICA,CORPORATION after CORPORATION Polluting our AIR, LAND, WATER,..Raising GAS prices,FOOD prices,ELECTRIC bills, Being Responsible for the WORLDS FINANCIAL DOWNFALL... AND they DO NOT PAY TAXES..I am really SICK & TIRED and I LOATH not having any CONTROL of my LIFE anymore..so I want to act..I will not ask anyone to join..HOWEVER I will ask for HELP ... I Want to make a Citizans Arrest From the TOP-DOWN on Any or All of the above mentioned...NOW
So if anyone out there or Rachel can help please do.....We HAVE to STOP this NOW before the next election other wise all the PROFITS will be going to the CORPORATIONS next CANIDATE and our name will be "COROPRATE AMERICA" confirming 2 classes RICHER than RICH & "THE POOR"
Maybe the people who took out loans that they couldn't afford should be blamed not the banks. I have no problem paying my gas, electric, water or any other bill. Instead of blaming corporations and businesses you should look at yourself. Get a second job, take classes, get off the internet and do something that improves your finances. This country was built on the fact that ANYONE can create wealth. The people who make sacrifices to be rich shouldn't be blamed. when did wealth and riches become a negative in America??
No matter how rapacious the blood-sucking parasites become, they will always have their sycophants around to sing hosannas in their praise.
Back in my younger days when I was enraged with Bush1-era Republican policies, I wanted to get a bumper-sticker that said "Republicans are rich, immoral, or just plain stupid".
The comments by Jamie make me wanna hunt up a printer. Except the jerks would probably key my car (on their way to church, of course...)
Its gotta be Jamie Browning wearing a new wig. Wigs don't cover the stench of right wing troll.
Another post, another 50 cents, right? Crank out enough and you might make the rent!
Is it time to STOP ALL THE TAX CREDITS, LOOPHOLES AND SUBSIDIES NOW!??!?!
If not now, when!?!?!?
Hey Rachel....
You forgot to mention one company on your segment last night.
Ever hear of PETROBRAS???
Maybe you could ask your boy Obama and he will explain to you that he just recently made a deal with them saying they can go ahead and DRILL in the Gulf of Mexico!!!
Ya know its funny because PETROBRAS is A Brazilian "energy" company
I didn't hear you mention anything about PETROBRAS! Also, you failed to put their logo up on the new permits to drill segment... So if you are going to focus all your attention on BP that is fine but maybe you could not be so one sided and point out EVERYTHING that is taking place in the Gulf now!
Your thoughts have wandered out of their pen again, John. You really should keep the gate closed.
I'm sorry bagelbones does the truth hurt??
Are you afraid of reality?
Does it not coincide with your beliefs and what you stand for?
You don't have to believe my thoughts but before you comment on anything I have to say how about you educate yourself, do your own research, and open your eyes to what is taking place in this world today.
Besides your rebuttal has no substance... So prove me wrong.
My comment was not a rebuttal, just an observation.
Oh sorry for getting the two confused. Thanks for the advice. You really set me straight.
John, you obviously think that Rachel is reporting in a biased way about this issue. There's nothing wrong with wanting to present evidence to that effect or to ask for more balance. But your terms and tone (referring to the president as "your boy" and shouting at Rachel) make you appear insincere.
Perhaps you are too angry right now to make a cogent argument. It's okay to take the time to collect your thoughts and make your best case. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt here. Perhaps I was too quick to assume that you are a paid troll. If that is the case, then I do sincerely apologize.
John's comments sound sincere to me. I won't speak for John as far as calling him "your boy" but I do watch all networks and would be calling him her boy too after watching the anchors rooting and playing nothing but positive press. If the shoe fits....
Not a paid troll... and yes a little angry but more so frustrated... I just want to educate those who want to hear and accept the truth and make a difference in this world. There is a lot that is out of our control, but You can always do the right thing and be good.
So Rachel posts about BP on the anniversary of the Gulf spill, and because she doesn't name a Brazilian company among the nearly dozen recently issued permits to drill, that means she's biased... ?????
What on earth is your point? Are you saying that President Obama is personally issuing these permits, and not the Federal Agency in charge? Are you implying some kind of personal intervention on the President's part? Are you further implying some conspiracy about foreign socialist intervention or what?
Jamie, I say that Rachel is not an indiscriminate supporter of President Obama and his administration. I offer as substantiation at least three instances of Rachel expressing opposition to or disappointment with their actions/policies. All can be found in the archives here at the blog.
The most recent was her segment about the president breaking his promise on Guantanamo broadcast on April 4th of this year. The second is her rather blistering comments about Obama dragging his heels on DADT from October 13th of last year. The last is the address from the Fake Oval Office on June 16th of last year regarding what she felt the president should have said after the Gulf spill (not an exhaustive list).
Now it's your turn to substantiate your claim: please cite a specific network and anchor and where I can find the comments by that anchor that you referred to in your post.
OF COURSE BP is doing well. After sacrificing 11 workers and an entire eco-system or two (ocean floor, open water, wetlands...make that 3) to Mammon, of course you will prosper! Look at how well Exxon did after the Valdez! Naturally they will refuse to pay for destruction of oyster beds, that would lessen the sacrifice! Can't have that now can we? If they really wanted to rake in the big bucks, they would have an open air shrine on top of their offices and a blood soaked altar upon which they would do round the clock human sacrifice they way the Aztecs used to do. All in the name of Mammon.
Was anybody naive enough to believe that BP was serious when it promised to pay for all the damage from its oil spill? Of course, they were going to walk away from any financial obligation as soon as the media were focused on other issues. Those promises were all about public relations and the keeping the company's stock price from cratering.
BP doesn't give a rip about those Gulf residents and their piddling financial problems--that they didn't have until the blowout happened. It's an oil company. It's what oil companies do.
BP intends to nickel and dime every claim now that the emergency has receded.
And their sycophants will be cheering them on every inch of the way.
Isn't there legal precedence for this already? Wildfires fought by burning out a fire-break and water damage caused by putting out a fire on upper floors come to mind immediately. Heck, in Cincinnati they've even charged a suspect for a crash that happened several blocks away when an additional police officer crashed into another vehicle while racing to join the chase for the fleeing suspect.
Regulators stress Florida seafood safety
i just saw an article about how tourism has increased but it was "no day at the beach". i think it was front page of USAToday but can't find it online at the moment.
another article on the Florida panhandle seafood, oyster specific.
The media stops it's heavy coverage of the gulf, the government stops it's pressure, BP stops paying. Then they start raising the gas prices to make up the cost of what they have lost so in the long run the american people are paying for the clean up in the gulf and the big oil companies win again.
Ha! So much for hope and change. Looks like this administration is in the pocket of Oil companies too.
I recently heard someone comparing President Obama to the guys that have the worst job in the circus. It's hard to get much done when you have a full time job cleaning up after the elephants.
And man has that GOP elephant been leaving some big messes to clean up! Most recently the big mess is the debt left over from two unfunded wars and other GOP legislation concerning tax rates.
At some point he has to take responsibility for his presidency. When is that date? I'd really like to know. I wonder why Bush wasn't handled with kids gloves like this guy?
Yeah Kid gloves. The his leading GOP apponent is gaining traction by accusing him of not being an American and 25% of the country appears to believe him.
During the drive toward improving our screwed up health care system, I guess the Hitler mustaches were kids gloves and the cries of death panels was kid gloves.
I guess the GOP opposing anything that he puts forward is kid gloves.
I guess a permanent filibuter against his policies in the Senate is kid gloves.
I guess....
@ Pat Hitler mustaches? Did you see the labor union protests? I'd say that's pretty low key compared to that. And didn't they do that to Bush, or worse? I'm not talking about the government by the way. I'm talking about everyone here giving him infinite more slack than Bush. I don't see people saying he should be thrown in the clink for keeping Gitmo open or starting another war in Libya?
Remember all those adds BP ran about how they were going to stay in the Gulf until they make things right?
I wonder what their definition of "right" is?
Right-wing.
Jamie and John Koch (above) - Oh, now I understand. Idiots.
Under yet ANOTHER assumed name, but you just can't keep from skulking under bridges and rasslin with billy goats, can you?
In spite of the fact that MSNBC has the Oil & Gas Industry as a major sponsor she pulls no punches and that is a good thing. However, it continues to amaze me that she has never mentioned the latest scourge of that notorious industry called: "Hydrofracking." This is a method used to extract natural gas from the ground. Ian Urbina, in a terrific series in the NY Times recently has illustrated the Congressional corruption and pressure on the E.P.A. allowing the O & G industry to rampage the beauty of such states as Western Pa, Colorado, Texas and many others and cause water and air pollution such that water can be set on fire. I would love to see Rachel unleashed on Hydrofracking.
She has in the past, and given the recent well...explosion?...rest assured she'll bring it back again.