BP and Matson Spill: What's Next

                                                

            In 2010, the Gulf Coast was affected by one of the biggest oil spills in recent United States history. Deepwater Horizon, also known as BP, claimed responsibility for the spill, yet the consequences are still seen today. Did BP really pay off what they owed or did our government just ignore what had happened? Currently, the government is doing the same locally with the Matson molasses spill in Honolulu. The molasses spill is worse than the oil spill because it occurred in such a small area. However, the state government has not even attempted to reprimand Matson. Who will pay for the cleanup, people working overtime to contain the spill, and other costs may arise? Taxpayers are the ones that are affected both in the BP and Matson spills with having to pay off the debts of the corporations.

            As shown in the picture above, my protester sign simply states, “What’s next” after BP and Matson. Who and where will be affected by the next environmental disaster? The issue at hand concerns what will happen next when another big corporation creates another disaster. In the article “Study Shows BP Oil Spill Could Have Been Prevented by Regulation”, BP could’ve prevented the entire spill. According to the article, the reason for the spill was a lack of oversight by both BP and the government agency Mineral Management Service, whose job was to regulate offshore oil drilling. From the article, Professor Alyson Flournoy stated that the lack of funding caused the lack of inspection by MMC. Therefore, BP was able to take shortcut and brings up the issue is why lessening funds for such an important agency. From BP to Matson, there is a near similar reason to the leak in Honolulu Harbor.

            According to Hawaii News Now and other new sources, the Department of Transportation had warned Matson of a leak in the molasses pipe a year before the spill. Matson went ahead, checked the pipe, and said there was no leak according to their inspectors. The DOT however, went back in May but withheld information about any other leaks. Why would our government officials hold back information that could have prevented the worst environmental disaster in Hawaii to date?  This takes me back to the sign of “what’s next.” What will happen next that will change the mindset of our government?  BP and Matson are two examples that new laws or bills should at least be enacted to prevent future examples. The issue here is what will be done in the face of such disaster. Will this be another case of the government of just allowing these corporations do as they please?

            Furthermore, Matson claiming responsibility and saying it will pay for everything simply will not be enough. In the article, “ Taxpayers On Hook for Honolulu Harbor Molasses Clean Up”, senator Brian Schatz “has promised Gov. Neil Abercrombie federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act funding to cover expenses related to the spill.” Matson should not need any help since they have a monopoly here in Hawaii, they have enough money to pay all of this yet our government is bailing them out. Taxpayers are the ones on the hook for the cost of the paying of workers to the ones paying for the cleaning of the harbor. Not only do we have to pay with our tax money, Matson’s president also said shipping cost will not go up. Again the residents of Hawaii need to “trust” what he says while the government gives no oversight to show this are not happening. BP and Matson are two companies whose importance outweighs any problems no matter how large they cause.

            In the end, the protester pictured above is simply trying to bring up the issue of what will be next. After BP and Matson, what other city or how many animals have to die for our government to finally realize how important environmental issues are to the American people. Americans care deeply about the environment yet since BP and Matson are such big companies our government turns a blind eye to the issue. Hopefully there will not be a next environmental disaster to cause government to finally take control and regulate such companies as BP and Matson.

Works Cited

Liggett, Britt. "Study Shows BP Oil Spill Could Have Been Prevented by Regulation | Inhabitat -            Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building."Inhabitat. Inhabitat, 30 Sept. 2010. Web. 06 Oct. 2013.

Zimmeran, Malia. "Taxpayers on Hook for Honolulu Harbor Molasses Clean up « Watchdog.org." Watchdog.org. Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity, 20 Oct. 2013. Web. Dec.-Jan. 2013.