Jackson Free Press

Troubles keep on brewing as a stricken BP oil well continues to daily jet more than 200,000 gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. British Petroleum's attempt to stop the spill with a 100-ton steel and cement dome that would have siphoned off the oil failed last week. The company is currently trying to seal the rig's blow out preventer and will drop a second dome to plug a smaller leak.

Yesterday, in his Washington, D.C., office, Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran, a Republican, said he supported Gov. Haley Barbour's handling of the oil spill and remains cautious about jumping to conclusions about offshore drilling, an activity he continues to support. Cochran said that he doesn't think federal regulations on offshore drilling should change, but says that states should take on that role.

"I think we should focus not on a broad policy, but we should address dangers and protect our beaches, marine life and economies on the Coast," he told the Jackson Free Press. "There should be an effort from (affected) states to work together for a collective purpose, rather than Washington bureaucracy."

Cochran, who is the Appropriations Committee's top ranking Republican, said he has met with Barbour on the situation and is working to allocate federal funds to the coast if needed. Last year, Cochran and Republican Sen. Roger Wicker secured a $439 million earmark for the restoration of the Mississippi barrier islands, which were damaged during Hurricane Katrina.

The senator also said he that he is satisfied with BP and the government's efforts to stop the spill, although they haven't been successful yet.

"It's important to be sure states, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and federal agencies assess and provide leadership in a federal role," he said. "They have blocked key areas on the coast, and put out booms day and night. Barbour has played an active and conspicuous role trying to coordinate efforts. We are lucky to have the Corps of Engineers available, and that there hasn't been any major damage to the coast."

This week, three executives from BP, Halliburton and Transocean testified at U.S. Senate hearings. Transocean owned the rig that exploded, Halliburton was a subcontractor for the work and BP operated the rig.

U.S. Rep Travis Childers from Mississippi's first Congressional district said yesterday that a federal response was in effect on the coast, but was disappointed in oil executives for shifting the blame during the senate hearings.

"I think there is a federal response; they have entered the picture and they are acting. Are they acting as fast as they could? I don't know. I don't know if it's even my place to say that. But I believe BP should be held accountable on this," Childers said. "It looked to me like everyone was shifting the blame, and here's the bottom line: It's BP's responsibility."

Last Thursday, Gov. Haley Barbour announced that the state will receive a $25 million block grant from BP for initial state and local preparation and response costs. Barbour asked the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources to administer the grant program.

Previous Comments

ID

157820

Comment

Saying that the states should regulate offshore drilling is basically saying that no one should regulate it. Mississippi is not in any way equipped to properly regulate offshore drilling, and it makes no sense to shift responsibility to underfunded state agencies. If you want to see the bankruptcy of the Republican approach to government, Sen. Cochran's remarks are a fine example.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2010-05-13T13:50:59-06:00

ID

157827

Comment

I concur with the remarks made by Brian C Johnson. Clearly this is a matter requiring Federal jurisdiction. It is the reason we have a Coast Gaurd funded with Federal tax dollars.

Author

Jeffery R

Date

2010-05-13T14:58:50-06:00

ID

157836

Comment

It would be the Mineral Management Service, which the president has proposed reforming. It needs to be split in two, with one part collecting royalties and the other enforcing regulations. I would like to reach out to my conservative friends and ask them to reassess their view of regulations. President Bush systematically dismantled regulations in mining, oil platforms, and finance. We are now reaping the whirlwind. We have seen, in industry after industry, that short-term profits are an irresistible temptation to corporations. They will cut as many corners as they can. Federal regulation of industry has been demonized by conservatives since Reagan. Do you acknowledge that tougher regulation of these industries is necessary? What is truly objectionable to you? I am genuinely curious.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2010-05-13T18:25:44-06:00