At first glance it seems like a good idea – regulating worker safety on offshore renewable energy projects.
“We are committed to ensuring that offshore renewable energy development is conducted safely,” said Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management, Regulation and Enforcement director Michael Bronwich, according to a story by UPI.http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2011/08/02/BOEMRE-reviews-safety-of-offshore-energy/UPI-74091312283414/?spt=hs&or=er He was announcing a study on the issue that will be ready a year from now. No sense rushing into things.
It sounds good. It also sounds like something OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) should be doing. It also adresses only “renewable energy” projects, leaving out things like oil rigs.
A month before the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded last year, the agency heard complaints about safety issues on the rig. When they asked BP about it, they were assured everything was fine, and so they left it at that. A month later 11 workers were dead and the biggest oil spill in history was under way.
The agency went on to help BP minimize the extent of the spill and the extent of the environmental damage. At that time they were know as the Mining and Minerals Service, but when their cozy relationship with the oil industry was exposed, they decided it was time for a name change.
To go back to this new initiative.
Agencies and regulations already exist for worker safety. The oil industry has made it abundantly clear that they view alternative energies as their mortal enemy. Pardon me for being cynical, but it sure feels like they’re prodding BOEMRE to make trouble for these emerging sources of energy.
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