"BP has systemic safety and health problems. They need to take their intentions and apply them much more effectively on the ground, where the hazards actually lie."
-- Jordan Barab, the deputy assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
In this issue:
1) Take Action: Host a Clean It Up Event!
2) Take Action: Say No to Tar Sands Oil!
3) Update: Oil Disaster
4) Good News: Great Finalists for Best Internship
1) Take Action: Host a Clean It Up Event!
Our leaders need to know that America stands with our families on the Gulf Coast. That we want BP's oil spill cleaned up quickly, and that BP should be held accountable.
We'll be holding rallies across the nation calling on President Obama and Congress to stand strong with the Gulf Coast. Already rallies states like Louisiana, Florida, Texas and Michigan are helping send the message. You can help by hosting an event in your area.
Sign up today!
2) Take Action: Say No to Tar Sands Oil!
Even as the struggle to stop the flow of oil from the BP disaster continues the Department of State is considering a new pipeline to bring tar sands oil to the U.S. Expanding use of this highly polluting, environmentally devastating form of oil will only worsen our problems -- not just in terms of damage from spills, but also by fundamentally undermining a clean energy economy.
Please urge the State Department to say no to the Keystone XL pipeline and the world's dirtiest fuel.
Say No to Tar Sands Oil!
3) Update: Oil Disaster
Today, two Senate committees held the first in what promises to be a series of hearings on the environmental and economic impacts of the BP offshore drilling disaster. Witnesses from BP America and Transocean Ltd. testified, along with fishing and tourism industry representatives and environmental scientists.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is announcing reforms to the Minerals Management Service, the agency charged with overseeing offshore drilling operations.
Get the details here. www.sierraclub.org/bpdisaster
Image Credit: U.S. Coast Guard/Justin Stumberg
4) Good News: Great Finalists for Best Internship
Take a break from the sad BP Disaster news and have your faith restored as you check out the 10 finalists just announced for our Best Internship on Earth. An NYU student rapping on a rooftop, an Inner City Outings leader from Hartford Community College, a Virginia Tech student who wants to combine her love of the outdoors with her love for YouTube, and a Boise State bicycling aficionado who raises goats are among the ten finalists.
Watch the videos that garnered them a spot on the top ten list!