In April 2010, BP had a horrible oil spill that caused many unfortunate problems for many people. So many people were affected around the Gulf that it drove many companies into bankruptcy. Companies that had been around for decades failed in less than a year because of their reliance on the Gulf Coast. Fishing, tourism, people relying on the coast for an income had that option vanish before their eyes due to the oil spill. The ecosystem was drastically thrown for the wolves when an estimated 205 million barrels of oil was released into the Gulf Coast (Hoch) affecting generations of people and animals for years to come.
Well BP has been granted permission by the Obama administration to finally start drilling in the Gulf of Mexico again. Although BP only has permission to drill in one area and only create one well it’s still a stepping stone in a rebuilding process for the company. They plan to build at least 8 more drills and wells by this time next year (Krauss).
BP’s public appeal took a drastic turn when news of the oil leak was released. If BP can maintain this new well and everything runs smoothly BP may get back to being one of the leading producers of oil and gasoline in the world in the public’s eyes. The impacts of this new drill and well can be monumental. People could choose to overlook what happened just a year ago or they could stand up against this drilling creating a barrier between BP and the public. Will people fight against and protest this new drilling or will they just accept it? So many people were affected that I can’t see this new drilling allowance going over smoothly. Although BP did spend a hefty penny compensating many companies and individual people as well as their clean up fees, an estimated 3 billion dollars in compensation and clean up fees (Breen), the public was still not satisfied. The drilling needs to go smoothly and fly under the radar in order to keep people from protesting and disagreeing. The societal impact would be huge if everything works out. Lower oil and gas prices, happier consumers, the economy gets a boost because of a more balanced supply and demand economy. Drilling in the Gulf is okay and the public needs to be okay with it.
Breen, Tom (2010-07-05). "BP costs for oil spill response pass $3 billion". Associated Press (Yahoo News). http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/5/bp-costs-oil-spill-response-pass-3-billion/. Retrieved 2010-07-05.
Hoch, Maureen (2010-08-02). "New Estimate Puts Gulf Oil Leak at 205 Million Gallons". PBS NewsHour (MacNeil/Lehrer Productions). http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/08/new-estimate-puts-oil-leak-at-49-million-barrels.html.%20Retrieved%202010-12-19
Krauss, Clifford. "BP to Drill Again in the Gulf of Mexico - NYTimes.com." Energy and Environment - Green Blog - NYTimes.com. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. <http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/bp-to-drill-again-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/?ref=business>.
