“The U.S. Department of the Interior protects America’s natural resources and heritage, honors our cultures and tribal communities, and supplies the energy to power our future.”
That’s how the DOI describes itself. But I’ve got a better description: energy pimps. At least for its Mineral Management Service. After all, how else can you describe an organization who actively aims to exploit a fresh piece of coastal ass even as it’s wore-out beat up Louisiana hooker is bleeding to the tune of 200,000 gallons of oil per day. And when I say exploit. I mean exploit.
I just got back from the MMS meeting in Norfolk over seismic testing. The first round of battles that’ll go down before they get to drilling. Call it the foreplay before getting down to the real rude and crude business.
I heard the Governor of Virginia’s spokesperson open the hearing by calling the Gulf disaster a “setback.” I also heard an oil lobbyist shamelessly urge the MMS to push into the North Atlantic, even as they’re dealing with a spill large than Rhode Island. But the most salacious “hey baby” sales pitch of all came from the MMS smooth talkers themselves.
Not only did they downplay the damage to marine mammals that seismic guns cause and it’s effects on commercial fishing, they actually implied that finding oil and gas was only one small reason for exploring. A minor concern. A side note. Number 3 on a list of more noble motivators like understanding which bathymetry worked for windfarms or finding suitable sand for beach nourishment in case a hurricane rips our coast apart.
And as I watched them grease the room with a mix of false promises and fear, it came to me. They’re not just the pimps, they’re the hos. And the johns. Playing whatever role the energy lobbies and companies want – so long as they get paid. The only difference is, when the transaction’s made and the money changes hands, they strut away in their fine fancy suits – while we coastal residents get royally fucked.
from the 7pm MMS meeting, more of the same. A mix of representatives of an industry sponsored organization (IAGC), "average" citizens who had worked in the OffShore industry, the Sierra Club, and others opposed to seismic testing/drilling - including the odd rocket scientist. Seriously, a NASA employee was there to voice concerns over a possible slide (and subsequent Tsunami!) that could result from mishaps w/ deep water drilling on the Continental Shelf. His research was thorough and highly technical. The MMS ran a nice presentation detailing how a "Marine Mammal Observer" would be present as a spotter who would call for testing equipment to be shut down if there is the presence of mammals in the testing area. Do you trust the Oil industry to do this properly, far out at Sea? The meeting sort of deteriorated to back n' forth between the former oil industry employees "Did you drive to get here? We need this oil for National Security! You've got no business getting up here and talking just because you read something on some website!" and philosophical arguments from some bald-headed old fart in a Surfrider t-shirt (who happens to be my favorite surfer) "those oil workers weren't properly trained, and I bet they weren't making the kind of money that the people lobbying for this are! It all comes down to whether you care about ocean life. Tourism and fisheries are the only economy we have left, and we can't afford to risk it..."
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