Oil Spill Costs and Impacts

Oil Spill Costs and Impacts PDF

Author: Robert H. Urwellen

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 62

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

When oil spills occur in U.S. waters, federal law places primary liability on the vessel owner or operator -- that is, the responsible party -- up to a statutory limit. As a supplement to this "polluter pays" approach, a federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund administered by the Coast Guard pays for costs when a responsible party does not or cannot pay. This book is based on a GAO report on oil spill costs and select program updates on the recent San Francisco spill. Specifically, it answers three questions: (1) How many major spills (i.e., at least $1 million) have occurred since 1990, and what is their total cost? (2) What factors affect the cost of spills? and (3) What are the implications of major oil spills for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund?

Oil Spills

Oil Spills PDF

Author: U.s. Government Accountability Office

Publisher:

Published: 2017-08-15

Total Pages: 28

ISBN-13: 9781974559589

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

"On April 20, 2010, an explosion at the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon resulted in a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The spill's total cost is unknown, but may result in considerable costs to the private sector, as well as federal, state, and local governments. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) set up a system that places the liability-up to specified limits-on the responsible party. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (Fund), administered by the Coast Guard, pays for costs not paid for by the responsible party.GAO previously reported on the Fund and factors driving the cost of oil spills and is beginning work on the April 2010 spill. This testimony focuses on (1) how oil spills are paid for, (2) the factors that affect major oil spill costs, and (3) implications of major oil spill costs for the Fund. It is largely based on GAO's 2007 report, for which GAO analyzed oil spill cost data and reviewed documentation on the Fund's balance and vessels' limits of liability. To update the report, GAO obtained information from and interviewed Coast Guard officials. "

An Ecosystem Services Approach to Assessing the Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico

An Ecosystem Services Approach to Assessing the Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2013-12-20

Total Pages: 247

ISBN-13: 0309288487

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

As the Gulf of Mexico recovers from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, natural resource managers face the challenge of understanding the impacts of the spill and setting priorities for restoration work. The full value of losses resulting from the spill cannot be captured, however, without consideration of changes in ecosystem services-the benefits delivered to society through natural processes. An Ecosystem Services Approach to Assessing the Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico discusses the benefits and challenges associated with using an ecosystem services approach to damage assessment, describing potential impacts of response technologies, exploring the role of resilience, and offering suggestions for areas of future research. This report illustrates how this approach might be applied to coastal wetlands, fisheries, marine mammals, and the deep sea-each of which provide key ecosystem services in the Gulf-and identifies substantial differences among these case studies. The report also discusses the suite of technologies used in the spill response, including burning, skimming, and chemical dispersants, and their possible long-term impacts on ecosystem services.

Oil Spills in U. S. Coastal Waters

Oil Spills in U. S. Coastal Waters PDF

Author: Jonathan L. Ramseur

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2010-11

Total Pages: 38

ISBN-13: 1437934064

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Contents: (1) Background: Oil Spills (OS) in U.S. Coastal Waters; Impacts of OS in Aquatic Environ.: Acute Impacts; Chronic Impacts; Ecosystem Recovery; Econ. Costs of OS: Cleanup Costs; Natural Resources Damages; Other Econ. Costs; (2) OS Governance: Federal Authorities: Exxon Valdez OS: 1990 Oil Pollution Act; Other Fed. Laws; Internat. Conventions: MARPOL 73/78; Intervention Convention; Fed. Agencies Responsibilities: Response; Prevention and Preparedness; Fed. Funding for the OS Liab. Trust Fund: Background; Trust Fund Ceiling; Fund Projections, and Vulnerability; State Laws; (3) Threat of Future OS in U.S. Coastal Waters: Possibilities for Future OS: U.S. Oil Imports and Possible OS; Level of Preparedness. Illustrations.

Tanker Spills

Tanker Spills PDF

Author: Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1991-02-01

Total Pages: 381

ISBN-13: 0309043778

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Can we design an oil tanker that meets our complex demands for environmental protection, economical operation, and crew safety? This volume evaluates and ranks a wide variety of tank ship hull designs proposed by experts around the world. Based on extensive research and studies, the book explores the implications of our rising demand for petroleum and increase in tanker operations; U.S. government regulations and U.S. Coast Guard policies regarding designs for new tank vessel construction; how new ship design would affect crew safety, maintenance, inspection, and other technical issues; the prospects for retrofitting existing tankers to reduce the risk of oil spills; and more. The conclusions and recommendations will be particularly important to maritime safety regulators in the United States and abroad; naval architects; ship operators and engineers; and officials in the petroleum, shipping, and marine insurance industries.