| The Ongoing Administration-Wide Response to the Deepwater BP Oil Spill Prepared by the Joint Information Center UPDATED August 4, 2010 7 PM |
| * For a full timeline of the Administration-wide response, visit the White House Blog. PAST 24 HOURS President Obama Addresses Economic Hardship Affecting Gulf Coast Residents President Obama addressed the economic struggles many Americans are experiencing, including Gulf Coast residents, in his remarks at a meeting with labor leaders. “One place in our country where people have faced particular struggles in the last few months is in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the BP oil spill. So it was very welcome news when we learned overnight that efforts to stop the well through what’s called a ‘static kill’ appear to be working—and that a report out today by our scientists show that the vast majority of the spilled oil has been dispersed or removed from the water. So the long battle to stop the leak and contain the oil is finally close to coming to an end. And we are very pleased with that,” he said. “Our recovery efforts, though, will continue. We have to reverse the damage that’s been done, we will continue to work to hold polluters accountable for the destruction they’ve caused, we’ve got to make sure that folks who were harmed are reimbursed, and we’re going to stand by the people of the region however long it takes until they’re back on their feet.” Admiral Allen, Administrator Lubchenco, Carol Browner, and Press Secretary Gibbs Provide an Update on the BP Oil Spill Response National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen, NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner joined Press Secretary Robert Gibbs at the White House to provide a briefing to inform the American public and answer questions on the administration-wide response to the BP oil spill. Dr. Lubchenco discussed a newly-released report compiled by federal scientists, using what’s known as an Oil Budget Calculator, to determine the fate of the oil from the leaking well. Admiral Allen reported on the progress of the static diagnostics test and discussions underway involving the federal science team on whether to follow up the drilling mud with cement, but again reiterated the importance of the relief well to ultimately kill the well: “This job will not be complete until we finish the relief well and have pumped the mud in and cemented it from the bottom, or the bottom kill, if you will.” Carol Browner reiterated the President’s commitment to long-term recovery. “There remains a lot to be done. While sort of the first phase of closing the well may be coming to an end, there’s another phase, which is the restoration. It’s making sure that these communities, the individuals in these communities, are made whole,” she said. “We are going to continue to ensure that BP is held accountable for the damage that they did, for the economic losses, and ultimately for the natural resource damages and all of the restoration that will take place in the Gulf communities and in the Gulf at large.” Federal Science Report Details Fate of Oil from BP Spill According to a federal science report, the vast majority of the oil from the BP oil spill has either evaporated or been burned, skimmed, recovered from the wellhead or dispersed—much of which is in the process of being degraded. A significant amount of this is the direct result of the robust federal response efforts. The estimates were derived by NOAA and the Department of the Interior, who jointly developed the Oil Budget Calculator, to provide measurements and best estimates of what happened to the spilled oil. The calculator is based on 4.9 million barrels of oil released into the Gulf, the government’s Flow Rate Technical Group estimate from Monday. More than 25 of the best government and independent scientists contributed to or reviewed the calculator and its calculation methods—part of continued efforts to engage the brightest scientific minds in this response. The chart below outlines the breakdown of what has happened to the oil released into the Gulf of Mexico since the oil spill began in April: |
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| Admiral Allen Approves Procedure to Cement BP’s Damaged Well Based on the successful completion of the static kill procedure and a positive evaluation of the test results, Admiral Allen authorized BP to cement its damaged well—making it clear that implementation of this procedure shall in no way delay the completion of the relief well. Director Bromwich Hosts Fact-Finding Forum in New Orleans The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement Director Michael R. Bromwich hosted the first off a series of public forums in New Orleans, La.—designed to collect information and views from academia; the environmental community; federal, state and local officials; and the oil and gas industry on technical issues related to deepwater drilling safety reforms, well containment, and oil spill response. Director Bromwich will consider this feedback in evaluating whether to recommend any modifications to the scope or duration of the deepwater drilling suspensions announced by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on July 12. FWS Personnel Continue Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Missions Across the Region From the Houma, La., Incident Command Post, 238 field personnel, 86 vessels and three helicopters participated in reconnaissance and wildlife rescue and recovery missions. From the Mobile, Ala., Incident Command Post, wildlife recovery teams comprised of 90 volunteers responded to 51 calls on the Wildlife Hotline. To report oiled wildlife, call (866) 557-1401. Approved SBA Economic Injury Assistance Loans Surpass $18.7 Million SBA has approved 217 economic injury assistance loans to date, totaling more than $18.7 million for small businesses in the Gulf Coast impacted by the BP oil spill. Additionally, the agency has granted deferments on 770 existing SBA disaster loans in the region, totaling more than $4.2 million per month in payments. For information on assistance loans for affected businesses, visit the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/ Administration Continues to Oversee BP’s Claims Process The administration will continue to hold the responsible parties accountable for repairing the damage, and repaying Americans who’ve suffered a financial loss as a result of the BP oil spill. To date, 141,690 claims have been opened, from which more than $293 million have been disbursed. No claims have been denied to date. There are 1,261 claims adjusters on the ground. To file a claim, visit www.bp.com/claims or call BP’s helpline at 1-800-440-0858. Those who have already pursued the BP claims process and are not satisfied with BP’s resolution can call the Coast Guard at (800) 280-7118. Additional information about the BP claims process and all available avenues of assistance can be found at www.disasterassistance.gov. By the Numbers to Date:
*The decrease in boom numbers is due to the continued recovery of displaced boom. Once recovered, this boom must be decontaminated, repaired, inspected, and certified before being staged or redeployed. New boom is being deployed in some areas. Resources:
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