“These images appear to illustrate a substantial and ongoing
problem that has not yet been addressed,” said John Coequyt,
Greenpeace’s Energy Policy Specialist. “The energy industry has
been silent on the condition of its offshore oil rigs, platforms
and pipelines, focussing instead on oil supply and capitalizing on
the national tragedy of Hurricane Katrina to push for expanded oil
and gas drilling.”
On September 6, Rebecca Watson, Assistant Secretary for Land and
Minerals Management at the Department of Interior stated, “We are
pleased that in the aftermath of Katrina, there have been no
reported significant oil spills from production,” in testimony
before the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
In light of the satellite imagery, Greenpeace is calling on the
U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Department of Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to assess these oil slicks and to make public its
plans for stopping any leaks and for cleaning up the spills.
Last week, more than 100 companies sent a letter to Speaker of
the House Dennis Hastert and other Republican leaders, asking
Congress to open up coastal areas in other parts of the country for
offshore oil and gas exploration.
“These images highlight yet again the need to promote clean
energy solutions such as renewable energy and energy efficiency,”
said Coequyt. “If oil companies won’t take responsibility for their
current environmental problems, why should the United States open
up the coasts of California, Florida or North Carolina to this
dirty industry?”
