In April 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil spill also known as the BP (British Petroleum) oil spill occurred, the largest marine oil spill in history just 41 miles off the coast of Louisiana. For 87 days oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico leaving an environmental catastrophe and disrupting numerous industries. It is estimated 210 million gallons of oil spilled into the gulf for approximately 68,000 square miles; the environmental effects can still be felt by wildlife and locals in the area.
During the ensuing investigation it was discovered that BP neglected safety precautions and in April 2012 senior officers and an engineer were charged with obstruction of justice for deleting text messages and making false statements about the rate oil was spilling into the gulf. Internal emails showed that BP estimated “the runaway well could be leaking from 62,000 barrels a day to 146,000 barrels a day.” While telling the government and the media that there was 5,000 barrels leaking a day. After pleading guilty to 14 felonies including lying to congress, BP settled out-of-court with the government for 20.8 billion dollars 15.3 billion of which can be written off their taxes. …show more content…
By July 2010, the Associated Press and The New York Times were questioning whether the spill had been such a big deal after all. Time went so far as to state that right-wing talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh “has a point” when he faulted journalists and environmentalists for overstating the
During the ensuing investigation it was discovered that BP neglected safety precautions and in April 2012 senior officers and an engineer were charged with obstruction of justice for deleting text messages and making false statements about the rate oil was spilling into the gulf. Internal emails showed that BP estimated “the runaway well could be leaking from 62,000 barrels a day to 146,000 barrels a day.” While telling the government and the media that there was 5,000 barrels leaking a day. After pleading guilty to 14 felonies including lying to congress, BP settled out-of-court with the government for 20.8 billion dollars 15.3 billion of which can be written off their taxes. …show more content…
By July 2010, the Associated Press and The New York Times were questioning whether the spill had been such a big deal after all. Time went so far as to state that right-wing talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh “has a point” when he faulted journalists and environmentalists for overstating the