Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-06-10/coast-guard-admiral-thad-allen
U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen talks with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal before a keel laying ceremony for the first Coast Guard Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter at the Bollinger Shipyards, April 9, 2010 - just a week and a half before the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas M. Blue via uscgd8 on Flickr
Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen calls for greater transparency by B-P. The head of the federal response to the Gulf of Mexico disaster on victim compensation and restoring the region's environment and economy.
Guests
Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen
National Incident Commander for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Comments
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Is there any plan to commandere or to borrow or rent some of these deep level robotic subs so that the government or better yet, an independent group of scientists, can actually monitor and/or inspect these well sites located too deep for ordinary monitoring?
Does the Admiral ever listen to himself? Just now he said, "Tony, I know you think your system is working and I know you want it to work, but...." The Admiral does not sound like a vigorous representative of the American people; he sounds like he's making nice with BP first and representing the nation, the ocean and the planet second. I'm sure the Admiral is a nice guy, but we don't need nice guys now.
Why are there not more vessels on the water to skim and collect oil? If BP is unable or unwilling to deploy enough vessels, particularly when local fishing vessels are idled by the spill, why are we not seeing Coast Guard and Navy ships cleaning up this spill?
While BP continues to try and discount the "under-water oil plumes" the truth is, whatever they would like the name to be, thre are underwater chemical streams, made up of oil, gas, and the dispersents that are poisoning the oceans. There have been incredibly high chemical readings taken proving this fact. It may appear to be as visually apparent as the oil that resides on top of the water, they exist and are an extreme concern to the gulf and ultimately the whole ocean.
Admiral,
When the word "processing" is used relative to the ship receiving the oil from the ruptured well, do you mean simply collecting and transferring or do you mean refining and then off loading?
Todd Swearingen
Why is it taking so long to get an accurate flow measurement? Woods Hole scientists have indicated that this is fairly straightforward to do and offered their services which BP declined.
Why the seemingly singular focus on BP as the responsible party for the Gulf oil spill? Was the involved BP well in compliance with all MMS (Mineral Management Service) regulations in place for deep ocean drilling? If so, should not MMS be taking some heat for inadequate regulations? If not, should not MMS be also taking heat for inadequate enforcement of existing regulations? Were there ever regulations and requirements in place within MMS that might have prevented this disaster? If so, who disabled them? If, in fact, the MMS was at one point empowerd to prevent this disaster but later disabled through either mismanagement or specific governmental action should not the responsible parties also be held accountable?
Jeff
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Good Morning Diane from Naples, FL
Thank you for this show and having the Admiral Thad Allen as a guest. I live in SW FL and of course all and any correct information is helpful, for us here and everyone.
Is there any chance a program, interview like this would be on a national level broadcasting.
Unfortunately there are so many misconceptions going around regarding what is being done from by our Coast Guard/President and all else working very hard.
Unfortunately, many people get just the sound bites in the mainstream media.
Any chance of a prime time news conference?
Thank you Diane and thank you Admiral Thad Allen.
I would just like to thank Admiral Allen for his service.
I realize this is simplistic and I understand the modifications required for converting a tanker to a skimmer but why can a tanker not be put in the Gulf with a large pumping system? It is not difficult to drop an intake hose into the spill areas and suck up both water and oil to get it out of the envrionment. The water and oil can be seperated and the water put back into the Gulf. The intake hose could even be set at differnt depths to get a large amount of the oil out of the water before it spreads more.
News repots suggest Cuban waters, marine life and shorelines may be at risk. What is the CG doing to provide information, technical and/or material assistance to Cuba to help it prepare for and responde to the crisis?
Would the administration or other leaders consider asking other countries for assistance or ideas in order to help stop this devastation. Other countries could help or have ideas to curtail this tragedy.
Thank you,
Julie
Response time appearts to have been absurdly long. It would seem that an attempt to seal the tube should have been done in days - not the weeks before it was tried. Why must the drilling of other hole to get to the pipe take months. Why can't it be done from say 25 feet away and be done by now? A skeptical person might think that the only efforts that are being considered are those that allow collection of the oil and continued profits. And what is happening to the oil that is being collected? Is it being seized as proceeds of a possible criminal enterprise? Or is BP processing it to raise money to pay dividends as usual?
I wonder about the effects of evaporation -- VOCs and other chemicals evaporating and coming down as rain to enter the food chain. . . AND the global weather cycles. Any valid information on this would be appreciated.
Thank you for the show.
What is the possibility that we will need a Million Man/Woman Oil Spill Clean Up Job Corps and how soon can the US government get the Billions it needs from BP to fund cleanup efforts? It's obvious we need a massively larger effort than is currently happening as well as Oil Vacuums, Smart Oil Absorbing sponges, and Millions of Oil Absorbing Hay Bales to lines beaches. This takes people and money that I do not see mobilized yet.
Why haven't we Ordered BP to Bring in Oil Tankers to Suck in the Oil and Water and Post Smaller Skimmer Boats closer to the Shore to get out of their way. It worked in the Persian Gulf and it can work here!
Hello!
I listen to this show everyday..most guests are knowledgeable, smart and their rethoric is great but theis man tops them all as far as I am concerned.
The most clear and to the point answers I have heard since this disaster occured, but I have more questions:
Why was the tanker from the North sea dispatch at once ..?
Why are 2nd wells not required to be built at the same time the one to be used 24/7 ?
Why are we not speaking about the oil that was not recuperated or dispersed? Will it seep into the ocean floor and in the long term sap the ocean floor destroying the very sourc of life for flora, fish etc..etc ?
So many questions have not been raised therefore not answered..as a environmentally concerned grandmother who gave up her car (to the cancer society!) do not use airconditioning (in St Louis!) nor a dishwasher, who unplugs electric appliance every night etc..recycle of course I am ANGRY as hell ..
This is a CRIME against the environment therefore against HUMANITY and no amount of $ BP can be liable for will ever be enough and a prison sentence for the top guys will not be enough either. What is done is done but their cluelessness about what to do right away is condemnable..clueless..inept..had they never envisage that such an explosion could occur ???? Other rigs should get to work and build a second one RIGHT away in order to not destroyed the oceans of the world!!BP does not OWN them and perhaps this happened in american waters but the consequences are planet earth inheritance..GREAT JOB...AND YES AMERICANS SHOULD LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES AND START BIKING, WALKING MORE..BUT THEY KNOW IT...TOO FOCUSSED ON THEIR NEW KITCHEN COUNTERS AND STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES...nEED TO STOP..tANK YOU dIANE AND Admiral T, Allen! your concern gives me hope!
Yolande
Hello!
I listen to this show everyday..most guests are knowledgeable, smart and their rethoric is great but theis man tops them all as far as I am concerned.
The most clear and to the point answers I have heard since this disaster occured, but I have more questions:
Why was the tanker from the North sea dispatch at once ..?
Why are 2nd wells not required to be built at the same time the one to be used 24/7 ?
Why are we not speaking about the oil that was not recuperated or dispersed? Will it seep into the ocean floor and in the long term sap the ocean floor destroying the very sourc of life for flora, fish etc..etc ?
So many questions have not been raised therefore not answered..as a environmentally concerned grandmother who gave up her car (to the cancer society!) do not use airconditioning (in St Louis!) nor a dishwasher, who unplugs electric appliance every night etc..recycle of course I am ANGRY as hell ..
This is a CRIME against the environment therefore against HUMANITY and no amount of $ BP can be liable for will ever be enough and a prison sentence for the top guys will not be enough either. What is done is done but their cluelessness about what to do right away is condemnable..clueless..inept..had they never envisage that such an explosion could occur ???? Other rigs should get to work and build a second one RIGHT away in order to not destroyed the oceans of the world!!BP does not OWN them and perhaps this happened in american waters but the consequences are planet earth inheritance..GREAT JOB...AND YES AMERICANS SHOULD LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES AND START BIKING, WALKING MORE..BUT THEY KNOW IT...TOO FOCUSSED ON THEIR NEW KITCHEN COUNTERS AND STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES...nEED TO STOP..tANK YOU dIANE AND Admiral T, Allen! your concern gives me hope!
Yolande
Hello!
I listen to this show everyday..most guests are knowledgeable, smart and their rethoric is great but this man tops them all as far as I am concerned.
The most clear and to the point answers I have heard since this disaster occured, but I have more questions:
Why was the tanker from the North sea dispatch at once ..?
Why are 2nd wells not required to be built at the same time the one to be used 24/7 ?
Why are we not speaking about the oil that was not recuperated or dispersed? Will it seep into the ocean floor and in the long term sap the ocean floor destroying the very source of life for flora, fish etc..etc ?
So many questions have not been raised therefore not answered..as an environmentally concerned grandmother who gave up her car (to the cancer society!) do not use airconditioning (in St Louis!) nor a dishwasher, who unplugs electric appliance every night etc..recycle of course I am ANGRY as hell ..
This is a CRIME against the environment therefore against HUMANITY and no amount of $ BP can be liable for will ever be enough and a prison sentence for the top guys will not be enough either. What is done is done but their cluelessness about what to do right away is condemnable..clueless..inept..had they never envisage that such an explosion could occur ???? Other rigs should get to work and build a second one RIGHT away in order to not destroyed the oceans of the world!!BP does not OWN them and perhaps this happened in american waters but the consequences are planet earth inheritance..GREAT JOB...AND YES AMERICANS SHOULD LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES AND START BIKING, WALKING MORE..BUT THEY KNOW IT...TOO FOCUSSED ON THEIR NEW KITCHEN COUNTERS AND STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES...nEED TO STOP..ThANK YOU dIANE AND Admiral T. Allen! your concern gives me hope!
Yolande
Hello!
I listen to this show everyday..most guests are knowledgeable, smart and their rethoric is great but this man tops them all as far as I am concerned.
The most clear and to the point answers I have heard since this disaster occured, but I have more questions:
Why was the tanker from the North sea dispatch at once ..?
Why are 2nd wells not required to be built at the same time the one to be used 24/7 ?
Why are we not speaking about the oil that was not recuperated or dispersed? Will it seep into the ocean floor and in the long term sap the ocean floor destroying the very source of life for flora, fish etc..etc ?
So many questions have not been raised therefore not answered..as an environmentally concerned grandmother who gave up her car (to the cancer society!) do not use airconditioning (in St Louis!) nor a dishwasher, who unplugs electric appliance every night etc..recycle of course I am ANGRY as hell ..
This is a CRIME against the environment therefore against HUMANITY and no amount of $ BP can be liable for will ever be enough and a prison sentence for the top guys will not be enough either. What is done is done but their cluelessness about what to do right away is condemnable..clueless..inept..had they never envisage that such an explosion could occur ???? Other rigs should get to work and build a second one RIGHT away in order to not destroyed the oceans of the world!!BP does not OWN them and perhaps this happened in american waters but the consequences are planet earth inheritance..GREAT JOB...AND YES AMERICANS SHOULD LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES AND START BIKING, WALKING MORE..BUT THEY KNOW IT...TOO FOCUSSED ON THEIR NEW KITCHEN COUNTERS AND STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES...nEED TO STOP..ThANK YOU dIANE AND Admiral T. Allen! your concern gives me hope!
Yolande
Hello!
I listen to this show everyday..most guests are knowledgeable, smart and their rethoric is great but this man tops them all as far as I am concerned.
The most clear and to the point answers I have heard since this disaster occured, but I have more questions:
Why was the tanker from the North sea dispatch at once ..?
Why are 2nd wells not required to be built at the same time the one to be used 24/7 ?
Why are we not speaking about the oil that was not recuperated or dispersed? Will it seep into the ocean floor and in the long term sap the ocean floor destroying the very source of life for flora, fish etc..etc ?
So many questions have not been raised therefore not answered..as an environmentally concerned grandmother who gave up her car (to the cancer society!) do not use airconditioning (in St Louis!) nor a dishwasher, who unplugs electric appliance every night etc..recycle of course I am ANGRY as hell ..
This is a CRIME against the environment therefore against HUMANITY and no amount of $ BP can be liable for will ever be enough and a prison sentence for the top guys will not be enough either. What is done is done but their cluelessness about what to do right away is condemnable..clueless..inept..had they never envisage that such an explosion could occur ???? Other rigs should get to work and build a second one RIGHT away in order to not destroyed the oceans of the world!!BP does not OWN them and perhaps this happened in american waters but the consequences are planet earth inheritance..GREAT JOB...AND YES AMERICANS SHOULD LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES AND START BIKING, WALKING MORE..BUT THEY KNOW IT...TOO FOCUSSED ON THEIR NEW KITCHEN COUNTERS AND STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES...nEED TO STOP..ThANK YOU dIANE AND Admiral T. Allen! your concern gives me hope!
Yolande
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute is the Worlds Best Non-Profit agency for Oceanographic Studies and they are not Paid to Underestimate the facts in favor of BP. They estimate the Oil Leak to be over 100,000 barrels day; 25,000 Barrels from one hole, and 70,000 Barrels from another of the Broken Pipes and there is still another break to be examined.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126975907
Why haven’t we ordered BP to allow Woods Hole Scientists access to do a scientific analysis of the Oil Gusher into the Gulf? Why are we allowing BP to block their access?
I thought this was an excellent interview and the Admiral was clear in his answers. I understand a lot more now from listening to this interview. Thank you.
The interview with Admiral Thad was extremely informative and helpful. However, boo to the producers, who decided to introduce the show as "day 52 of the oil spill". This is not only extremely derivative but unhelpful, as it reinforces the idea that this catastrophe can be solved in days. It made me wonder if suddenly I had tuned in Rush Limbaugh.
Diane, during you interview with Admiral Allen today, you bought up the subject of oil and ALS. In 1981 I was with my dad when he was diagnosed with ALS. The docter asked my dad if he was in the service during the 2ND world war. My dad said no as he was blind in one eye and could not serve. My dad asked why and the doctor stated there was a theory about ALS and servicemen who served on the island of Guam and the oil refined on the island, during the war. My dad stated that he did work for a year at a refinery in New Jersey during the war.
I was wondering why you mentioned ALS and oil. I have been looking for a connection ever since my dad was diagnosed. He died from ALS in 1989.
Tom
Thank you, Diane, for your interview with Admiral Allen this morning. He answered your questions so directly, so positively, that one could have little doubt that this man knows what to do and how to do it. After reading the NYTimes article in which reporters said they had no access in the area, I am ready to believe what Admiral Allen says, that this was not true. I also agree with 'lindy' who stated that this interview should be given a wider hearing.
I was thrilled with Diane's guest today. It was a pleasure to her ask Admiral Allen her questions. The other pleasure was hearing his answers.
Honestly, I learned a great deal today from Admiral Allen about the complexities of managing a huge national disaster. And I learned he really knows his stuff on oil spills.
Your interview today with the Admiral changed my opinion of him from incapable to manage to capable to do the deed. He just may not have all the support, equipment, manpower and results necessary from BP, and others, to make things happen as fast as needed.
Thank you for interviewing him.
I love your show.
I was very impressed with Adm. Allen's thoughtful responses today. He showed careful reflection of each question, and appeared to have an amazing depth of knowledge with regard to the various challenges associated with the cleanup.
While it is easy to politicize this tragedy, it is clear that Adm. Allen, who has served under many presidents in his nearly 40 years of service, is focused on his task.
I hope more Americans hear his words, as they were reassuring in spite of the devastating challenges he is facing. I could not ask for more.
This was a marvelous interview -- thank you Diane, and thank you, Admiral.
I agree with the contributor from Naples, FL: so valuable, many would benefit if it could be disseminated for reading, listening to again -- perhaps the full transcript published by the Washington Post and/or NY Times.