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Deconstructing an Environmental Disaster

Deconstructing an Environmental Disaster. Elements to watch Role of knowledge(s) Expert Non-expert (lay) Role of technology Capabilities and vulnerabilities Role of laws and institutions Jurisdiction (what actors are allowed to do; expected to do)

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Deconstructing an Environmental Disaster

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  1. Deconstructing an Environmental Disaster • Elements to watch • Role of knowledge(s) • Expert • Non-expert (lay) • Role of technology • Capabilities and vulnerabilities • Role of laws and institutions • Jurisdiction (what actors are allowed to do; expected to do) • Competition (public vs. private; across levels) • Dynamics of change • Who learns? • What is learned? • By what means? ESPP 78

  2. Death of Deepwater Horizon ESPP 78

  3. Oil in Water: A Sense of Scale ESPP 78

  4. Prior Knowledge and Responsibility • BP • Proponent of action • Needs federal license • Environmental impact assessment • Minerals Management Service (Interior) • Reviewed applications and granted licenses • Collected royalties (2nd largest after taxes) • Hazards? • Classic capture scenario [see Winner] ESPP 78

  5. Symbol: An Embarrassing Plan • "As I'm sure you know, there aren't any walruses in the Gulf of Mexico and there have not been for three million years. How can Exxon Mobil have walruses in their response plan for the Gulf of Mexico?” • Rep. Ed Markey, D-MA ESPP 78

  6. Restoring Trust: Turn to Science • “If the engineers and scientists believe it is the right thing to do, then we’ll do it. If they don’t, then we’re not. We are going to make our decisions based on facts, not hope.” • Obama, Louisiana, May 28, 2011 (on berms) • Quoted by Khatchadourian ESPP 78

  7. Problems in Practice (1) Boom Wars • How much boom? • What kind of boom (fire boom, high-seas boom)? • Who monitors (tracking the boom)? • Who decides in context of multi-level decision making? • Who takes credit/ ESPP 78

  8. Problems in Practice (2) Uncertainties • Burns • Interaction with boom, feasibility in marshes • Berms • Effects on silt, currents, marine life • Dispersants (Corexit) • Composition (secret?), toxicity tests (similar to conditions of use?), subsurface use (wholly untested) [see Pinch] ESPP 78

  9. Politics of Uncertainty • BP: “We should start the injection, and let the testing catch up with it.” • Jackson: “Mr. President, with regard to dispersants, I am probably going to be the skunk at the picnic. Sir, I am going to be out there asking very hard questions.” ESPP 78

  10. Results (Khatchadourian) • Total spill: 4.9 million barrels • Capture at wellhead: 17 percent • Dispersants: 16 percent • Controlled burns: 5 percent • Skimming: 3 percent • Berms: 0 percent • Persisted: 23 percent • Remainder: “naturally dispersed” ESPP 78

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