California Oil Spill

Here we go again, another oil spill, more animals killed.

Emergency workers rushed to try and stop 21,000 gallons of oil that poured into four miles off California’s coastline (close to Santa Barbara) earlier this week. The spill occurred after an onshore oil pipeline broke and pilled crude into a storm drain that empties into the Pacific Ocean. The pipe is owned by a company called Plains All American who commented on the spill saying they “deeply regret” it and are working to limit the damage. Vessels have deployed three sets of floating booms to try to keep the slicks from spreading, while other boats are skimming oil from the sea surface.

It’s hard to say the damage that has been done but already fish and other marine life have been pulled dead from the water covered in crude. Birds have been seen struggling and covered as well. Two whales were spotted near the spill but lucky were pushed the other direction by boats. This is not just a small spill and will unfortunately take the lives of many more marine animals.

Now this directly correlates to the Kinder Morgan pipeline project and I think only reinforces the fact that these pipelines are far too dangerous to our environment. In 2010 the BP Deepwater Horizon spill cost over 40 billion dollars. Is this something we can really afford in the future? Absolutely not. Not to mention Kinder Morgan is responsible for more than1,800 violations since it was incorporated in 1997, nearly 500 of which are pipeline incidents.

I’m sorry but how much longer are we going to put up with this? What are your thoughts on pipelines around your communities?

– K