27,000 abandoned oil and gas wells, many probably leaking and more capable-
Gov’t and oil companies ignore them-
Gulf Awash In 27,000 Abandoned Oil And Gas Wells. By Jeff Donn and Mitch Weiss. Associated Press (reproduced in the Huffington Post)
I think many Americans are trying to ignore this ongoing disaster, but it will continue. Findings like this say hundreds or thousands of smaller leaks are likely.
This didn’t just begin in the Bush Administration, but the Bush/Cheney Administration thoroughly corrupted the leasing and oversight of oil and gas. Then Obama’s Salazar didn’t fix it, though he promised when speaking on his first day as Secretary of Interior.
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
Not only the Gulf is awash in abandoned wells. They are all over our lands as well. Temporarily abandoned, permanently abandoned – all done by oil companies on the “honor system.” Too many to count.