September 25, 2009
The Huge Spill You Haven’t Heard of
BY: Anna G
It has been 35 days since a massive oil rig blowout in the Timor Sea and oil continues to flow steadily into the ocean off Australia. Conservative estimates have the rig spewing 16,800 gallons per day, for a total of more than half a million gallons. Having already formed a slick the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, oil will continue to leak for up to 45 more days according to PTT, operators of the rig.This state-of-the-art rig (installed in 2008) is creating exactly the type of disaster that oil companies claim can be avoided with their new, safe and clean technology.If this is the first you have heard of this disaster, don’t worry, you are not alone! Oceana’s advocates have met with decision-makers who had not heard about it either, even in the midst of negotiating offshore drilling legislation. You have to wonder how this massive spill (Australia’s worst since offshore drilling began 40 years ago) has not hit the front pages of major US newspapers. Spread the word! Check out Oceana’s activist toolkit to find plenty of great resources.