Cleaning Process and the Future

Since there is progress being made on containing the oil spill, what exactly is going to be done to clean up what is already in the ocean? According to sources, thirteen countries offered assistance to clean up the spill, but the USA turned them down. Why would they do that? It would make more sense to accept all the help they could get. Also, the EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, only allows skimmers, ships that are used to get the crude oil off of the surface of the water, that can filter the water up to the point where there is only 15 parts per million of oil. So, that means that ships who can get out 99.9% of the oil out of the water are not allowed to help because they still leave about 100 parts per million of oil. It is probably a good thing that the EPA requirements are there, but I feel that if it gets 99.9% of the oil out of the water then it should be allowed to be used. So, then what do they do with the extra oil that the ships can not contain? They actually burn it which took me by surprise when I saw it. Apparently once it is burned it makes it easier to collect because it turns into these glob like balls. Now that we know how they clean it up, what does BP and the USA hope to do to contain the well in the long run? BP has stated that it is drilling two relief wells into the original well that will enable them to hopefully block it. Once the relief well reaches the original well, they will pump fluid into the original well. The relief wells are expected to begin working in August. As of the end of June, they have put a cap on the well that is collecting about half of the oil spill according to authorities. I'm positive that stemming from this disaster, the US government will pass legislation that will make sure that this never happens again. Whether it be stricter regulations or halting offshore drilling altogether. Hopefully, the latter will not be enacted, but it is hard to tell at this point. The US needs oil, but it should be retrieved in the most ecologically friendly way. Maybe drillin at such extreme depths should be halted until more knowledge is shed on the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bp_oil_spill