Spill sparks reform, leaves lasting scar

Journal Article · · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:7024367

Notthoff, A ^[1]

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1. Natural Resources Defense Council, San Francisco, CA (United States)

Blackened shorelines, oil-soaked birds, and dying sea otters - images that riveted the Exxon Valdez oil spill on the public consciousness - also generated an outcry for action, Notthoff observes. No other spill caught the attention of the American public and prompted public-policy reform at the national, state, and local level like the Exxon Valdez, she says. Within two years of the accident, Congress had dusted off and passed oil-spill legislation that had been deadlocked for 10 years, and seven states had passed new oil-spill laws. The poor record of cleanup following the Exxon Valdez spill is due to the limits of technology, the physical conditions at the time of the accident, and a chronic inability to mobilize people and equipment under the chaotic circumstances that surround a major emergency, Notthoff says. In addition, there also was a failure to enforce existing response plans. Prevention is the best cure, and some of the new laws address this issue, she notes. They also tighten up requirements for response planning and encourage research into improved clean-up technology. What they fail to do Notthoff emphasizes, is seek to reduce tanker traffic by encouraging improved energy efficiency, conservation, and alternative energy technologies.

• OSTI ID: 7024367
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 6:4; ISSN 0887-8218; ISSN FARPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290301 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
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294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
ALASKA
CONTROL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LEGISLATION
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SPILLS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION CONTROL
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC POLICY
USA