Lots Of Trouble Brewing On Our Gulf.

by J John Swanko

08/03/2010 (People Port) Lots of trouble brewing on our Gulf. Senate Chair Landrieu is hold hearing on the moratorium. Looking beneath the trouble, It appeared to be the classic Senate versus Administration. The Administration responded quickly.

Remember, Louisiana has yet to recover from its repeated hurricane hits. Trying to stick BP with the bill short changes Louisiana. Congress included $5.1 billion to replenish the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF).

The DRF is the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) general fund to support disaster response, recovery, and mitigation projects, including award decisions issued by the FEMA arbitration panel established by Sen. Landrieu's provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. At the time the panel was established, Louisiana had 30 different projects worth $510 million under appeal.

The Moratorium without our federal government honoring its previous commitment to rebuild the Gulf region before BP allows the focus back on BP (see Notes). A large portion of our energy makes its way to the rest of the U.S. without a wheeling charge, from Louisiana. Their wetlands help our Gulf.

Those Questioning the Moratorium, question who will pay the costs. The issues are not near settled. Senate Chair Landrieu (and it appears the Senate), it not waiting to see if the region will be made whole (see Notes) or suffer another economic blow. Those catching glimpses of the wrangling, often point to Republican partisan nature of information presentation (see Notes).

The Administration has sent Secretary Salazar to the region. In a press release dated 7/20/2010, he said, "We are quickly and thoughtfully implementing safety reforms for offshore energy operations to ensure workers, communities, and the environment are protected as the nation develops its energy supplies."

He continued, "Today, we saw production activities and shallow water drilling operations that are implementing the new standards as they continue their operations. We also continued to gather important information about the steps industry is taking to address shortcomings in safety, blowout prevention, and spill response capabilities in deep waters, so that those deepwater operations can safely resume."


Notes:

While this is going on, Big Oil is moving to help restore the Gulf. Cynics argue, they made the mess... Some argue, Big Oil, does not want BP logos all over the Gulf of Mexico.

Most in business understand the phrase, Made Hole, is lawyer speak for, You may get something, but, Its the lawyers who get paid. The Made Hole punchline was right up there with, I am from the government... line.

The Republicans are executing the plan to take back Congress. Most reports show it was in place long before this Administration was sworn into office. I could trace a viable plan back to March 2009. Why they would go with a plan that often substitutes the words inflation for deflation, cries about a deficit when the Federal Reserve holds those toxic assets that are ballooning in value. That, Gain control of Congress plan, does not allow TARP to pay for a one year extension of the Bush Tax Cuts. While some have fun at their expense, the world is slowly seeing it for what it is...

Both parties try to limit the bi-partisan nature Senate Chair Landrieu fosters.

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