Article

The Gusher Ends, Cleanup and Recovery Begin

The flood of oil has mercifully ended, but now it's time to start cleanup and economic recovery, and for the Senate to work on long-term solutions, writes Daniel J. Weiss.

Vessels operate in the area of the Deepwater Horizon disaster on the Gulf of Mexico. BP reported on Thursday, July 15 that it finally stopped oil from leaking out of the blown-out well. (AP/Dave Martin)
Vessels operate in the area of the Deepwater Horizon disaster on the Gulf of Mexico. BP reported on Thursday, July 15 that it finally stopped oil from leaking out of the blown-out well. (AP/Dave Martin)

The weeks of oil flooding from the ocean floor has mercifully ended. Now we have months of cleanup and years of economic recovery ahead. Most important, the Senate now must provide additional safeguards for offshore oil production, slash oil consumption, and reduce global warming pollution. These provisions would minimize the likelihood that this kind of catastrophe happens again.

For more on how the Senate can move forward on energy reform, see:

For analysis of the BP disaster, see:

For information on the disaster’s public health effects, see:

 

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. A full list of supporters is available here. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.

Authors

Daniel J. Weiss

Senior Fellow

Just released!

Interactive: Mapping access to abortion by congressional district

Click here