Environmental Law
Panel Blames Management, 'Systemic Failures' in Oil Industry and Government for Gulf Spill
A combination of poor decision-making by those in charge of the Deepwater Horizon rig and “systemic failures” by the oil industry and government regulators are responsible for the lethal well blowout and disastrous spill that began spewing from below the Gulf of Mexico in April, a presidential panel has determined.
With better planning, both could have been prevented, the seven-member commission has determined, reports the Fuel Fix blog of the Houston Chronicle.
And, unless systemic problems are addressed, similar disasters could occur in the future, it concludes in a final report that is to be released next Tuesday.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Despite Hi-Tech Safety Equipment, Lack of Training Aided Oil Rig Disaster, NY Times Reports”
