Document: BP didn't plan for major oil spill ('no significant adverse impacts are expected')

[Bluebear]

British Petroleum downplayed the possibility of a catastrophic accident at an offshore rig that exploded, causing the worst U.S. spill in decades along the Gulf coast and endangering shoreline habitat.

In its 52-page exploration plan and environmental impact analysis for the well, BP suggested it was unlikely, or virtually impossible, for an accident to occur that would lead to a giant crude oil spill and serious damage to beaches, fish, mammals and fisheries.

BP's plan filed with the federal Minerals Management Service for the Deepwater Horizon well, dated February 2009, says repeatedly that it was "unlikely that an accidental surface or subsurface oil spill would occur from the proposed activities."

And while the company conceded that a spill would impact beaches, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas, it argued that "due to the distance to shore (48 miles) and the response capabilities that would be implemented, no significant adverse impacts are expected."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100501/ap_on_bi_ge/us_louisiana_oil_rig_explosion

[gateley]

1. We go on what the company itself claims? We don't get an independent analysis?

Do we really expect a company, hoping to make millions, to say "it's possible there may be a spill that will impact beaches, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas regardless of the distance to shore". :shrug:

This country has been given to the corporations.

[Bluebear]

2. Remember, companies are people too.

:silly:

[gateley]

3. Damn - I forgot! Forgive me, the Ruling was so recent! I retract my heartless sentiment.

:evilgrin:

[ladjf]

4. Memo from BP exec to secretary, "Gracie, please run off a copy

of our regular "boiler plate" environmental impact assessments. About 40 pages should do it and put it in the folder with the other documentation for the proposed Deepwater Horizon well. Oh yeah, that's a deep one, better add a dozen or so extra pages to make it look thorough."