The oil slick that was supposed to devastate lives and livelihoods in the Gulf of Mexico region is starting to disappear. The New York Times reports that the once massive spill has all but vanished from the surface waters in the Gulf.
As it turns out, the Gulf of Mexico is amazingly adept at dealing with oil spills.
Naturally occurring leaks have given rise to oil-eating bacteria. Storms also have helped dissipate the oil. And while the jury is still out on the damage from oil that has already washed ashore, and on the impact of chemical dispersants that were used during the cleanup, there's reason to be optimistic that the long-term ill effects will be minimal.
But the news is being met with some chagrin and stubborn skepticism. Environmental activists are reluctant to lose the spill as a tool to force a radical anti-oil agenda on America. And fisherman and other businesses in the region worry the subsidies promised by the government and BP LLC will dry up.
They shouldn't worry. The Obama administration is showing no signs of backing off its oil drilling moratorium or its carbon cap and trade push. It can't afford to acknowledge that the environmental threat from the spill is less than predicted or it loses that wedge. So it can't cut off the subsidies, either.
All's good for everyone who hoped to leverage the spill to their own advantage.
From The Detroit News: http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/nolanfinleyblog/index.php#ixzz0ylje3VvA
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