Jindal, Obama alert agencies regarding oil spill in the Gulf Special

An oil rig explosion in the Gulf has brought the President of the United States Barack Obama and Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana to issue statements about their concerns for missing workers and potential impact on the environment of oil spillage.

Earlier today Digital Journalist Stephanie Dearing in a news story described the incident regarding the oil rig explosion that happened today with research of various agencies and resources, as well as the company involved in the drilling. She concluded the news article by pointing out, " An expert said the risks are increased when companies drill deeper and deeper for oil, telling Business Week that the drilling might have caused a "blowout." Jindal released a statement today in Baton Rouge, first updating the status of the search for 11 missing workers. He said,

“I spoke to Admiral Mary Landry with the U.S. Coast Guard a few hours ago and she said that while rescue efforts are still continuing to look for the 11 missing workers, it is believed that they might have been working close to the origin of the explosion.

After his remarks on the status of the search, Jindal continued:

“Our hearts are with the families of those still missing, and their families and friends continue to be in our prayers. We are a close-knit family in Louisiana and when our people are hurting like this, we all feel it. Thousands of our people work offshore and while we know there is always some risk involved, this type of accident is certainly one of the worst-case scenarios you can imagine.”

Underlining his concern for the environmental impact, where questions have been raised, Jindal had this to say,

“Admiral Landry said that a second explosion on the rig early this morning caused the release of thousands of gallons of crude oil. While this situation continues to rapidly evolve, seepage of oil into federal waters off of our shores means we must plan for the possible effects here. “GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper activated the state’s Crisis Action Team yesterday to begin monitoring any potential impact of this event."

Recognizing how lack of coordination of various agencies were said to impede proper action following the disastrous flooding of the City of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, Jindal explained how various federal and state agencies are working together to assess the situation concerning the explosion and what emergency preparations might need to be made regarding Louisiana's land, air and water."

The worries about the oil spill and the release of thousands of gallons of it into the Gulf may impact not just Louisiana but Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. Jindal explained,

“Additionally, GOHSEP is reaching out to Alabama, Mississippi and Texas today to begin coordinating with them in the event the those states become impacted by the seepage from this rig. We are also offering those states any support they may need from Louisiana.”

The White House issued a statement today sharing Jindal's concern for the missing workers and observing how President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle have said

"their thoughts and prayers are with the family members and loved ones facing the tragic situation in the Gulf of of Mexico."

The statement from the White House goes on to say the President was briefed by agency officials including the The President was briefed in the Oval Office this afternoon by a number of senior officials including Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano, Admiral Thad Allen, United States Coast Guard Commandant, Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate as well as a host of senior white house officials including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner, Chair of Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley and Director of the National Economic Council Lawrence Summers. The Coast Guard is continuing to update the President on the status of search and rescue efforts. In the meantime President Obama made sure that the various federal agencies he met with today would be offering the assistance needed in responding to the environmental impact of the oil spill in the Gulf. Louisiana resident Delores Blalock had this to say about environmental risks of drilling in the Gulf and hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the north central area of the State. "Louisiana is always putting money before the health and welfare of its people. I worry all the time about this, as I am sure other people do as well. But you know what? It's the same old story about big men making money at the people's expense, that has been part of Louisiana history over many years." Blalock has done some research on environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing in relationship to land near her home in Saline, Louisiana. As someone who lived in California many years, she recognizes how her home state continues to have problems with the environment because of drilling for oil and gas and ended with this:

"I don't know about this place. It is my home, but I never know whether I can continue to live here if this business continues. I am on my way to have a good time (in Baton Rouge) for a week and try to forget about stuff like this.

But you know with Louisiana you're always ready for the other shoe to drop.

In the meantime, it's the same old thing, but it could get a whole lot worse."

Environmental risk in the Gulf region comes at a time when the White House has proclaimed the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, in response to concerns about protecting the environment. The President's statement on this reveals what Blalock has often said, as someone who loves her home state of Louisiana, that good citizens need to be informed and involved. Obama said in reference to that today, a reminder even as environmental problems might seriously impact the Gulf:

"As we continue to tackle our environmental challenges, it’s clear that change won’t come from Washington alone. It will come from Americans across the country who take steps in their own homes and their own communities to make that change happen."