Archive
BP, Prior to Gulf Accident, Said Measuring Oil Flow Was 'Critical' to Effective Response
BP has resisted efforts to reassess the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, saying more accurate measurements would be irrelevant to fixing the problem. That contradicts a spill response plan prepared by the company before the disaster.
Inspectors Fault Beryllium Safety at Hanford Nuclear Reservation
A program to protect workers from beryllium while cleaning up the Hanford nuclear site in Washington may have exposed them to avoidable risk, according to a new report by the Department of Energy.The report cites "management weaknesses."
The Madoff Circle: Who Knew What?
Civil suits and court motions that have been filed in the Madoff case hint that a small circle of men played knowing, integral roles in the scheme, in some cases benefiting more from it than even Madoff himself. So far the evidence is mostly circumstantial.
Under Cheney’s Influence, Wyoming’s Oil Ties Flooded MMS
A report details the cozy connection between the energy industry and political figures in Wyoming -- especially during the Bush years, when Vice President Dick Cheney placed several allies in important jobs at the Interior Department.
Air Sampling Finds a Compound in Toxic Dispersant Is Also in the Air
Air samples taken near workers in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have indicated the presence of butoxyethanol, a component in the dispersant used by BP, known as Corexit. Though no causal relationship has been made, some workers have reported symptoms similar to those caused by 2-butoxyethanol.
A Mystery: When Did Gov’t Exempt Gulf Drilling from Detailed Enviro Reviews?
The Minerals Management Service waives environmental studies for oil drilling in much of the Gulf of Mexico. But even the government seems unsure how that decision came about.
Mixed Messages as the Oil Continues to Spew
As oil continues to spew into the Gulf of Mexico, BP, cleanup crews and the EPA differ on the health risks for workers there. One EPA official likened the situation to the World Trade Center cleanup.
No Penalties for Mortgage Company with Worst Loan Mod Backlog
Saxon Mortgage has the largest proportion of homeowners caught in modification limbo, yet has not been subject to any government penalties.
Did BP's Acts to Save Time and Money Set the Stage for the Gulf Disaster?
BP made decisions to save time and money with the Deepwater Horizon well that may have contributed to the accident, including its choice of design for the well and its preparation, testing and finishing methods, news reports say.
