Virginia U.S. Sen. Jim Webb is sounding a warning about the potential for "deliberate attacks" against oil wells as oil continues to spill from a BP platform into the Gulf of Mexico.
Webb penned a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar asking about the vulnerability of oil platforms and a risk assessment for potential attacks.
“The Deepwater Horizon incident caused the worst environmental disaster in our nation’s history. With dozens of wells operating in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere, we must employ policies that mitigate all types of risk,” said Senator Webb. “While Congress continues to scrutinize BP and the regulatory agencies, our nation must be vigilant against deliberate acts, such as an attack or sabotage, that could cause similar devastation.”
This is one of those security threats that has seriously scary potential, for it's environmental implications and the ramifications when it comes to national security. President Barack Obama and the federal government are still pressuring BP to get the spill stopped so the the cleanup can continue in ernest. Webb's full letter is after the jump.
Dear Secretary Gates, Secretary Napolitano, and Secretary Salazar:
As our nation continues to address the aftermath of the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, efforts are also underway to ensure that this tragedy is never repeated. While Congress will continue to scrutinize BP and the regulatory agencies, I write to urge you to also be vigilant against deliberate acts, such as an attack or sabotage, that could similarly devastate the region.
Other vulnerable sectors have addressed such risks. For instance, in order to protect against terrorist and other types of attack, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission now requires that nuclear reactors withstand the force of an airplane collision. Security issues surrounding oil and gas drilling are of a different nature, but a lack of vigilance could leave the marine ecosystem, as well as certain areas of our national security, at great risk. The Deepwater Horizon incident has caused the worst environmental disaster in our nation’s history. With dozens of wells operating in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere, we must employ policies that mitigate all types of risk.
I therefore request that you provide, as soon as practicable, your assessment of the vulnerability of offshore oil rigs to attack, the current framework for addressing such risks, and your recommendations to Congress for deploying adequate resources and safeguards. I look forward to working with you to address this challenge and to ensure the safety and security of our nation.
Sincerely,
Jim Webb
United States Senator
Webb comes up with this kind of stuff while refusing to do anything about the violence and endless stream of people invading our borders. Webb, Warner, Obama took an oath to defend us against enemys, foreign and domestic, but refuse to seal our borders against drug dealsers, smugglers, and other criminals crossing the borders. They want to sue Arizona for trying to defend itself when the federal government has refused to do their job. They should all be fired.
Posted by: william Mathis | Thursday, July 01, 2010 at 01:18 PM