English subtitles for clip: File:Press Briefing on Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico.webm

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Mr. Gibbs:
Good afternoon.

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This is not my attempt to put
more people on stage than are in

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the audience, but we might well
succeed by the time this is over.

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I am going to -- I've got a few
remarks on what the President

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has been working on
the BP oil spill,

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but I wanted to -- we've got
several people here at the

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briefing to give you an
update on where we are.

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Our Homeland Security Secretary
will give us an update on the

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overall situation.

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Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara
will give us some details on the

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response on the ground and
the water to the spill.

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Deputy Secretary of the Interior
David Hayes will give us an

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update on the joint
investigation and on the

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pressure on industry
to clean up the spill.

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Secretary Salazar is at
the BP command center

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currently in Houston.

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EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
will give us an update on air

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monitoring and preparations for
the spill reaching the shore.

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We also have Assistant to the
President for Energy and Climate

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Carol Browner here also to
answer some questions if need be.

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So let me start with a few words
of the President's involvement.

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The President has been actively
following the BP oil spill in

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the Gulf of Mexico,
receiving multiple updates,

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and consulting on the response
since the incident occurred.

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The President started his daily
intelligence briefing in the

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Oval Office this
morning with an update,

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and last night on
board Air Force One,

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on the way back to Washington,
the President was briefed on the

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new information regarding
the additional breach.

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The President urged, out of an
abundance of caution and mindful

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of the new information, that
we must position resources to

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continue to aggressively
confront this incident.

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Following that, Rear Admiral
Landry announced that while BP

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is ultimately responsible, the
administration will continue to

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be aggressive in our response,
and we will use all available

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resources, possibly including
those at the Department of

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Defense, to see if there are
technologies that might be used

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that surpass the capabilities of
the commercial and private sector.

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Again, in accordance with
the 1990 Oil Pollution Act,

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passed after the Exxon Valdez,
BP, as the responsible party,

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is required to fund the cost
of the response and cleanup

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operations, and
they are doing so.

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The President has also asked
that Homeland Security Secretary

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Napolitano, Interior
Secretary Salazar,

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and EPA Administrator Jackson go
to the Gulf Coast to ensure that

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BP and the entire government is
doing everything possible to

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respond to this incident.

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In addition, the President has
directed responding agencies to

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devote every resource to not
only respond to this incident

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but to determine its cause.

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Earlier this week, Secretary
Napolitano and Secretary Salazar

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laid out the next steps
for that investigation.

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We have a lot of folks up here.

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We've got a couple of
slides that we will put up.

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This is the satellite picture
as of 6:00 a.m. this morning.

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You see where the BP Deepwater
Horizon was and the area that

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we're monitoring.

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So, with that, let me turn this
over to Secretary Napolitano.

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Secretary Napolitano:
Well, thank you.

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I'd like today to update you
with the latest information

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about the BP oil spill, the
steps BP is taking to minimize

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the environmental and other
risks of this incident.

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Last night BP alerted us to
additional oil leaking from

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their deep underwater well.

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They are working,
with our support,

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to estimate the
size of this breach.

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As has just been mentioned,
the President has urged,

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out of an abundance of caution
and mindful of new and evolving

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information, that we must
position resources to continue

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to confront this spill.

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That being said, we have been
anticipating and planning,

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and today I will be designating that
this is a spill of national significance.

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What that means is that we can
now draw down assets from across

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the country, other coastal
areas, by way of example;

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that we will have a centralized
communications because the spill

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is now crossing
different regions.

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In addition to the command
center that we have operational

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in Robert, Louisiana, we are
opening a second command center

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in Mobile, Alabama,
for the BP spill.

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As was mentioned, as well as
part of our oversight of the

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response, I will be going to the
Gulf Coast tomorrow along with

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Secretary Salazar and EPA
Administrator Jackson to

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inspect ongoing operations.

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We remain focused on
continued oversight.

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We'll be taking a very close
look at efforts underway,

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particularly to minimize the
environmental risks in the area

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affected by the leaking oil.

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We'll be meeting
with other federal,

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state and local officials
deployed to the area and helping

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in the response effort, and we
will be meeting again with BP

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officials to discuss cleanup
planning and operations.

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As the President and
the law have made clear,

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BP is the responsible party and
is required to fund the costs of

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the response and
cleanup operations.

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But our visit to Louisiana and
the affected areas tomorrow will

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also help inform our
investigation into the causes of

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this explosion which
left 11 workers missing,

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three critically injured in
addition to the ongoing oil spill.

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Meanwhile, a coordinated
group of federal partners,

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including the Departments of
Homeland Security, Defense,

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Interior and the EPA, continues
to work and oversee BP's

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deployment of a combination
of tactics above water,

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below water, dozens
of miles offshore,

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as well as closer
to coastal areas.

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As you know, yesterday BP began
a controlled burn designed to

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remove large quantities of oil
from the open water in an effort

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to protect shoreline and
marine and other wildlife.

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The trapped oil was consumed
in about 28 minutes.

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BP continues to use chemical
dispersants, which,

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along with natural
dispersions of oil,

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will address a large
portion of the slick.

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Nearly 100,000 gallons of
dispersant have been used today.

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Among other response activities
are on-water skimming,

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subsurface wellhead operations,
continued efforts to see if they

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can get that shut-off
valve to close,

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and significant booming efforts
underway to protect vital shoreline.

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Right now at least 174,000 feet
of boom have been deployed,

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and other boom will be
deployed at six staging areas.

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And they are ready to
be deployed right now.

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In addition, approximately 1,100
total personnel are currently

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working the spill.

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And 685,000 gallons of oily
water have been collected so

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far, using nearly 50 vessels
and multiple aircraft who are

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engaged in the response.

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We will continue to
push BP to engage in

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the strongest response possible.

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We will continue to
oversee their efforts,

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to add to those efforts where we
deem necessary, and to ensure,

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again, that under the law, that
the taxpayers of the United

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States ultimately are
reimbursed for those efforts.

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But that is not the key
focus, I must say, right now.

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Our key focus is making sure
that people know what is going

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on, they understand what
relief efforts are underway,

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what the extent of the
response is, what we know,

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what we don't know
about this incident,

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and how we intend
to move forward.

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And with that, let me introduce
Rear Admiral O'Hara.

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REAR Admiral Brice-O'Hara:
Thank you, Secretary.

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Good afternoon.

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I was asked to give you an
update on the activities today,

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but I think the Secretary
has covered that very well.

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Let me help put into perspective
some of the interactions that occur.

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The Coast Guard is the
federal on-scene coordinator.

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So we have the leadership role
for spills that occur in the

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coastal zone for this
spill, in particular.

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We have been very aggressive
and proactive in our response,

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but we have not been alone.

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We work with federal partners --
there are 16 federal agencies

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who form the National
Response Team.

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We also work very closely with
state and local authorities and

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with nongovernmental
organizations -- as we move

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forward with the response, there
are roles that volunteers can

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take and the NGOs are critical
in helping us properly channel

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that drive and energy.

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And finally, the responsible
party, British Petroleum.

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BP has taken a number of steps,
as has been mentioned -- the

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controlled burns, the
skimming, the booming,

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the activities to try and secure
at the sub-floor surface -- we

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are working very
closely with them,

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but as responsible parties, the
role of the Coast Guard and the

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unified command partners to
ensure that they move forward

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with activities that are
safe, that are appropriate,

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and that will do the job to
secure and remove this oil.

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Our focus in particular today is
looking very carefully at the

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preventive booming
that's occurring,

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using the best science
that's available to us;

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working in conjunction with
NOAA's scientific support

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experts, as well as EPA, to
ensure that the responsible

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party is taking advantage of all
the pre-planning that has been

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done to protect fragile areas
-- because at this point the

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trajectory has the spill,
the leading edge of the oil,

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reaching landfall in the
Mississippi Delta region

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sometime later tomorrow.

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We are working very carefully at
sea as well so that we continue

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the skimming operations.

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The controlled burn yesterday
was very successful.

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The sea and wind conditions
today do not allow us to

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continue to have a
controlled burn today.

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As soon as there is an
appropriate window we will

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continue the controlled burn
activity because it was very

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effective yesterday.

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And with that, I'll take a break
and answer questions when time.

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Deputy Secretary Hayes:
Thank you.

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I am David Hayes, the
Deputy Secretary of the

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Department of the Interior.

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I'm here today for
Secretary Ken Salazar,

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who is in Houston at
the BP command center,

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reviewing the operations,
asking the tough questions.

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He's getting an update on the
company's progress in closing

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the leaks from their well and to
ensure that they clean up the

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spill as quickly as possible.

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As has been mentioned, BP,
as the responsible party,

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is still at work
dealing with this issue.

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And in particular, they're still
trying to activate the blowout

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preventer stack
to shut the well.

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They have yet to be successful.

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We are moving with
them on relief efforts.

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We have approved the drilling
of a second -- of a relief well

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that could begin drilling
within a matter of days,

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and we're reviewing application
for a second relief well,

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should that be needed.

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As the President has directed,
we are using every resource

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available to work on
this response effort.

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We're also taking immediate
steps to get to the bottom of

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how this happened, to ensure
that industry is following

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safety and drilling
regulations that are in place.

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Yesterday, of course, the joint
investigation was announced by

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Secretary Napolitano
and Secretary Salazar.

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That is underway.

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That joint investigation will
have every tool it needs,

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including subpoena power, to get
to the bottom of what went wrong.

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Also, Secretary Salazar has
ordered immediate inspections of

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all of our deep -- all of the
deepwater drilling rigs and

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platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

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Our inspectors will verify that
companies are following the law

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and all regulations as they
conduct their operations.

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That inspection operation
is underway as we speak.

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Finally, Secretary Salazar is
convening a meeting of industry

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leaders and experts later
today to talk about additional

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immediate steps to be taken
to reduce the potential for a

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catastrophic blowout like
the one that occurred on

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the Deepwater Horizon.

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We also want to ensure that they
are providing every resource and

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every idea available to help.

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Obviously, although this
type of incident is rare,

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it's extraordinarily serious,
and we expect industry to be

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fully complying with the law and
to be taking aggressive measures

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to ensure that this type of
incident does not happen again.

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I believe that --
Administrator Jackson.

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Administrator Jackson:
Hi, good afternoon.

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I'm Lisa Jackson, Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Over the past days, EPA has
mobilized to respond to this crisis.

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We're working closely with DHS,
with the Coast Guard, and,

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of course, with the White House
to monitor the situation and

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address environmental impacts.

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First, EPA is providing
full support to the United

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States Coast Guard.

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00:14:24,834 --> 00:14:26,434
As you heard the
Rear Admiral explain,

239
00:14:26,433 --> 00:14:30,163
the Coast Guard is in the lead,
and EPA on the National Response

240
00:14:30,166 --> 00:14:31,766
Team provides support.

241
00:14:31,767 --> 00:14:34,667
We've moved our initial
resources to the command center

242
00:14:34,667 --> 00:14:38,067
in Louisiana, and we'll be
moving additional resources

243
00:14:38,066 --> 00:14:43,136
there today and tomorrow, as
well as to Alabama and Mississippi.

244
00:14:43,133 --> 00:14:45,503
We have stood up an
air-monitoring program.

245
00:14:45,500 --> 00:14:48,430
That program has begun already.

246
00:14:48,433 --> 00:14:51,063
We'll soon be getting
information on the results

247
00:14:51,066 --> 00:14:55,096
of the first samples out
and on our Web site.

248
00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:58,000
And we'll continue to beef
up that program as we've now

249
00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,130
learned that we're dealing
with additional breaches,

250
00:15:00,133 --> 00:15:04,033
which probably means additional
controlled burns in the future.

251
00:15:04,033 --> 00:15:08,103
EPA has air-monitoring
aircraft that are -- one,

252
00:15:08,100 --> 00:15:10,700
that is gathering information
on the impact of the controlled

253
00:15:10,700 --> 00:15:14,200
burn on air quality, both in
the area of the burn, and,

254
00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:15,870
of course, further away.

255
00:15:15,867 --> 00:15:18,567
We're collecting air data
from fixed and portable

256
00:15:18,567 --> 00:15:20,797
air-monitoring
stations in the area.

257
00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:22,630
We'll analyze that
data and, as I said,

258
00:15:22,633 --> 00:15:24,433
make it public in
the coming days,

259
00:15:24,433 --> 00:15:27,803
certainly as soon as possible,
along with the air-monitoring

260
00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:31,230
plan, which is in draft and
which will be revised as we go

261
00:15:31,233 --> 00:15:34,533
along, and as the
situation changes.

262
00:15:34,533 --> 00:15:36,703
Third, as has been
discussed already,

263
00:15:36,700 --> 00:15:40,800
we expect the oil to hit the
shoreline in the near term.

264
00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:43,370
In that event, the Coast Guard
will remain in the lead.

265
00:15:43,367 --> 00:15:47,167
The Coast Guard is the lead on that
water and in the coastal zone.

266
00:15:47,166 --> 00:15:50,866
As that happens, though, we
expect EPA's role will expand.

267
00:15:50,867 --> 00:15:53,737
EPA is generally the lead
for land-based cleanups.

268
00:15:53,734 --> 00:15:58,064
So we are preparing for that
scenario by increasing our

269
00:15:58,066 --> 00:16:00,536
support to the Coast Guard and
our other federal -- and very

270
00:16:00,533 --> 00:16:04,063
importantly our state partners
-- in ramping up the monitoring

271
00:16:04,066 --> 00:16:05,536
of air quality.

272
00:16:05,533 --> 00:16:07,433
Surface water
impacts will be next,

273
00:16:07,433 --> 00:16:09,963
and that will include
sampling the water.

274
00:16:09,967 --> 00:16:12,237
Finally, as the oil
does hit the shoreline,

275
00:16:12,233 --> 00:16:15,233
EPA will provide support to
assess the impacts on the

276
00:16:15,233 --> 00:16:20,463
coastal shoreline and play a key
role in implementing the cleanup.

277
00:16:20,467 --> 00:16:23,837
As a daughter of the Gulf Coast,
I know that it is our job to

278
00:16:23,834 --> 00:16:26,804
ensure people that we will be
eyes and ears working with the

279
00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:30,200
states who have valuable and
vital resources to monitor air,

280
00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:31,670
water and land quality.

281
00:16:31,667 --> 00:16:32,637
Thank you.

282
00:16:32,633 --> 00:16:33,903
Mr. Gibbs:
All right, let me
just one quick thing,

283
00:16:33,900 --> 00:16:37,670
just announcement, the regular
onsite media briefing that has

284
00:16:37,667 --> 00:16:42,137
happened each afternoon in
the Gulf will take place as

285
00:16:42,133 --> 00:16:45,203
scheduled in addition to this.

286
00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:50,330
The Press:
Yes, could someone explain
under what circumstances

287
00:16:50,333 --> 00:16:51,663
DOD will come in?

288
00:16:51,667 --> 00:16:54,137
Does BP have to request
that for some reason?

289
00:16:54,133 --> 00:16:57,033
And then when or if DOD
does become involved,

290
00:16:57,033 --> 00:17:00,533
what exactly can they provide in
terms of equipment or technology

291
00:17:00,533 --> 00:17:04,563
that BP and the Coast
Guard cannot do?

292
00:17:04,567 --> 00:17:07,797
Secretary Napolitano:
Yes, it's not really a BP request.

293
00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:12,030
What we have done is reached out
to the Department of Defense to

294
00:17:12,033 --> 00:17:15,133
see in light of, you know
the depth of the water,

295
00:17:15,133 --> 00:17:17,603
the complexity of the spill
and like whether they have any

296
00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:22,030
either expertise or actual
assets in addition to all the

297
00:17:22,033 --> 00:17:26,133
other things that are being
employed that would be useable

298
00:17:26,133 --> 00:17:29,703
either, A, to plug the
leak, stop the leak,

299
00:17:29,700 --> 00:17:36,230
speed up the repair of the leak,
or assist in making sure that a

300
00:17:36,233 --> 00:17:39,333
minimal amount of water
-- or oil, excuse me,

301
00:17:39,333 --> 00:17:41,463
reaches the shoreline.

302
00:17:41,467 --> 00:17:46,267
So that's being done at the
operational level today working

303
00:17:46,266 --> 00:17:49,736
with the Coast Guard, the
Department of the Interior,

304
00:17:49,734 --> 00:17:54,204
the EPA, NOAA, and the other
federal agencies that have been

305
00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:57,700
involved since the
day of this spill.

306
00:17:57,700 --> 00:18:01,800
And if and when they
have something to add,

307
00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:03,570
we'll certainly make that known.

308
00:18:03,567 --> 00:18:05,067
The Press:
You don't know whether
-- at this point whether

309
00:18:05,066 --> 00:18:08,766
they do have assets
that would be useful --

310
00:18:08,767 --> 00:18:11,767
Secretary Napolitano:
Not right now.

311
00:18:11,767 --> 00:18:13,997
Mr. Gibbs:
That was something the
President authorized looking

312
00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:15,830
into last night
during the briefing.

313
00:18:15,834 --> 00:18:16,634
Chip.

314
00:18:16,633 --> 00:18:19,733
The Press:
I think the frame of reference
most people have on this is the

315
00:18:19,734 --> 00:18:22,504
Exxon -- on oil spills
is the Exxon Valdez;

316
00:18:22,500 --> 00:18:23,830
that was 11 million gallons.

317
00:18:23,834 --> 00:18:26,504
I've seen an estimate that this
could be well over 4 million

318
00:18:26,500 --> 00:18:28,130
gallons, under a
worst-case scenario.

319
00:18:28,133 --> 00:18:32,833
Could this turn into a
catastrophe approaching that level?

320
00:18:32,834 --> 00:18:35,864
Secretary Napolitano:
Well, I think by
designating it a spill

321
00:18:35,867 --> 00:18:41,037
of national significance, we are
already illustrating that this

322
00:18:41,033 --> 00:18:45,563
is one that every available
asset will be useable should

323
00:18:45,567 --> 00:18:46,597
it be necessary.

324
00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:49,170
Now, the difference with the
Valdez -- the Valdez was a

325
00:18:49,166 --> 00:18:52,566
knowable quantity of oil
because it was a ship.

326
00:18:52,567 --> 00:18:55,537
This is leakage from a well.

327
00:18:55,533 --> 00:18:59,163
Now, over the course of time,
we've seen the amount of oil

328
00:18:59,166 --> 00:19:00,466
that has come out.

329
00:19:00,467 --> 00:19:05,037
NOAA has been able to revise
estimates based on the length

330
00:19:05,033 --> 00:19:06,333
of time of the incident.

331
00:19:06,333 --> 00:19:10,403
Those estimates will become
better and better over time.

332
00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:16,770
But we are deploying as if this
would be a major incident.

333
00:19:16,767 --> 00:19:18,697
Would I use that
kind of language?

334
00:19:18,700 --> 00:19:20,770
Would I throw out
those kind of numbers?

335
00:19:20,767 --> 00:19:23,767
I think that itself
would be premature.

336
00:19:23,767 --> 00:19:25,797
The Press:
But some local officials
are already complaining.

337
00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:28,300
It's been nine days and they're
frustrated with the pace of the

338
00:19:28,300 --> 00:19:29,200
federal response.

339
00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:30,530
How do you respond to them?

340
00:19:30,533 --> 00:19:33,563
Secretary Napolitano:
Well, BP is the
responding party.

341
00:19:33,567 --> 00:19:35,397
We are overseeing them.

342
00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:39,200
We're working very closely with
all of the state and local partners.

343
00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:43,970
And, again, I think the key
thing is that there has been the

344
00:19:43,967 --> 00:19:48,867
inability of BP to -- through
whatever methodologies they're

345
00:19:48,867 --> 00:19:50,867
using to get this shut.

346
00:19:50,867 --> 00:19:52,637
The Press:
But you can't just
lay this on BP.

347
00:19:52,633 --> 00:19:54,803
I mean, the federal government
certainly has a response to

348
00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:56,270
respond to a
catastrophe like this --

349
00:19:56,266 --> 00:19:57,766
Secretary Napolitano:
We understand that, but --

350
00:19:57,767 --> 00:19:59,297
Mr. Gibbs:
But let's understand, Chip,

351
00:19:59,300 --> 00:20:00,930
I think one of the things the
Secretary is talking about,

352
00:20:00,934 --> 00:20:03,764
as per your example earlier
on the Exxon Valdez,

353
00:20:03,767 --> 00:20:09,037
in 1990 the law was passed that
didn't allow an oil company to

354
00:20:09,033 --> 00:20:12,933
do what had been done and
hand the bill to you and me.

355
00:20:12,934 --> 00:20:17,164
It was -- it's now the
responsibility of the oil

356
00:20:17,166 --> 00:20:20,236
company, in this case
BP, British Petroleum.

357
00:20:20,233 --> 00:20:22,733
Understanding that -- let's
understand over the course of

358
00:20:22,734 --> 00:20:27,064
the past many days the situation
has changed several times.

359
00:20:27,066 --> 00:20:30,596
The well was initially recapped.

360
00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:32,330
Then it wasn't capped.

361
00:20:32,333 --> 00:20:35,203
We found, as of yesterday,
additional breaches.

362
00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:40,270
Our response has been
commensurate with that each time.

363
00:20:40,266 --> 00:20:42,336
The Press:
But shouldn't the federal
response be to respond

364
00:20:42,333 --> 00:20:44,033
to the possible worst-case
scenario right from the start?

365
00:20:44,033 --> 00:20:45,133
Mr. Gibbs:
That's exactly what we're doing.

366
00:20:45,133 --> 00:20:46,603
Secretary Napolitano:
Let the Admiral talk to this.

367
00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,230
REAR Admiral Brice-O'Hara:
I would assure you
that we are being

368
00:20:49,233 --> 00:20:51,763
very aggressive and we are
prepared for the worst case.

369
00:20:51,767 --> 00:20:54,597
That's why we have mobilized
in the numbers that we have,

370
00:20:54,600 --> 00:21:00,600
and worked out a plan that is as
large and as broad-sweeping as

371
00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:04,530
the one that's in place, looking at
the four states with likely impacts.

372
00:21:04,533 --> 00:21:07,963
We have a very important
distinction to make between

373
00:21:07,967 --> 00:21:10,397
this case and Exxon Valdez.

374
00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:14,170
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990,
which was precipitated by the

375
00:21:14,166 --> 00:21:19,366
tragedy in Alaska, has put
forward a response plan with

376
00:21:19,367 --> 00:21:23,837
levels of certification and
qualification for those who

377
00:21:23,834 --> 00:21:25,604
respond to oil spills.

378
00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:28,870
And we have professionals
who are on call.

379
00:21:28,867 --> 00:21:34,037
The companies that deal in
cargoes that would be pollutants

380
00:21:34,033 --> 00:21:36,263
have to have plans in place.

381
00:21:36,266 --> 00:21:39,636
They have to have commitments
with recovery operators.

382
00:21:39,633 --> 00:21:41,163
That's exactly
what has happened.

383
00:21:41,166 --> 00:21:43,896
We have those professionals
that are at the scene,

384
00:21:43,900 --> 00:21:48,270
hired through the plan that
BP was required to maintain.

385
00:21:48,266 --> 00:21:51,636
They are at much higher
levels of preparedness.

386
00:21:51,633 --> 00:21:54,403
We have great advances
in technologies.

387
00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:56,570
The controlled
burn, for instance,

388
00:21:56,567 --> 00:22:00,267
came much earlier in this bill
than it was ever enabled in the

389
00:22:00,266 --> 00:22:05,436
Exxon Valdez case, and so we are
putting tools to target much

390
00:22:05,433 --> 00:22:10,303
earlier and have assurance
that this is not an Exxon

391
00:22:10,300 --> 00:22:11,900
Valdez type of case.

392
00:22:11,900 --> 00:22:12,630
Mr. Gibbs:
Jake.

393
00:22:12,633 --> 00:22:14,963
The Press:
Madam Secretary, what do
the people who live in the

394
00:22:14,967 --> 00:22:17,497
affected region -- especially
the Louisiana Delta,

395
00:22:17,500 --> 00:22:21,430
which is about to hit the coast
in the next day -- what do they

396
00:22:21,433 --> 00:22:25,603
need to know?

397
00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:26,930
Secretary Napolitano:
First of all,

398
00:22:26,934 --> 00:22:30,904
that the parish presidents and
others have been working with us

399
00:22:30,900 --> 00:22:33,700
and we've been working
with them very closely.

400
00:22:33,700 --> 00:22:38,270
We understand the concern -- the
concern about fisheries area,

401
00:22:38,266 --> 00:22:40,936
the concern about other
commercial activities that

402
00:22:40,934 --> 00:22:43,934
happen near sensitive
environmental areas are involved.

403
00:22:43,934 --> 00:22:47,264
They need to know that there
has already been a significant

404
00:22:47,266 --> 00:22:52,096
amount of booming to protect
those areas from oil sheen that

405
00:22:52,100 --> 00:22:54,730
may not have evaporated
or been skimmed.

406
00:22:54,734 --> 00:22:58,834
They need to know those efforts
will be ongoing and continuing.

407
00:22:58,834 --> 00:23:02,164
They also need to know
that we will be open and

408
00:23:02,166 --> 00:23:04,366
transparent with them.

409
00:23:04,367 --> 00:23:12,067
They need to know that there is
already a BP system set up for

410
00:23:12,066 --> 00:23:16,296
them to file claims for their
own individual damages.

411
00:23:16,300 --> 00:23:19,170
We will oversee that as well.

412
00:23:19,166 --> 00:23:22,796
And they need to know that we
will be staying on top of this

413
00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:25,900
as long as this
incident is ongoing.

414
00:23:25,900 --> 00:23:27,570
The Press:
Admiral, if I could just
do a quick follow-up,

415
00:23:27,567 --> 00:23:32,137
and that is, apparently BP was
estimating spillage was 1,000

416
00:23:32,133 --> 00:23:35,603
barrels a day, and you guys
think it's five times that.

417
00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,430
Why do you think BP was
so off in their estimate?

418
00:23:38,433 --> 00:23:43,433
REAR Admiral Brice-O'Hara:
I'm going to turn to
my partner from NOAA

419
00:23:43,433 --> 00:23:47,063
and let her -- Dr. Lubchenco --
speak to some of the science.

420
00:23:47,066 --> 00:23:51,066
But I would tell you that
we are at very deep depths;

421
00:23:51,066 --> 00:23:54,936
it's very hard to assess
accurately given where

422
00:23:54,934 --> 00:23:56,634
this is located.

423
00:23:56,633 --> 00:24:01,133
There are signs -- we can see
the fluid that's emanating from

424
00:24:01,133 --> 00:24:05,363
the places in the riser pipe
that have been perforated.

425
00:24:05,367 --> 00:24:12,597
We know what that is in terms of
temperature and what the volume

426
00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:14,070
may be that's coming out.

427
00:24:14,066 --> 00:24:18,366
So it's an estimate, a best
estimate that was worked in

428
00:24:18,367 --> 00:24:21,297
consultation with
British Petroleum,

429
00:24:21,300 --> 00:24:24,230
but also with the scientific
support coordinator.

430
00:24:24,233 --> 00:24:28,063
But then, as we move through
time and we see the product on

431
00:24:28,066 --> 00:24:31,036
the surface, there's additional
information that can be

432
00:24:31,033 --> 00:24:34,003
determined from the appearance.

433
00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:37,300
And I'll turn it to you to
pick up there, Dr. Lubchenco.

434
00:24:37,300 --> 00:24:39,130
Dr. Lubchenco:
I'm Dr. Lubchenco
-- Jane Lubchenco --

435
00:24:39,133 --> 00:24:43,603
Administrator of NOAA, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

436
00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:45,770
What the Admiral says
is absolutely correct.

437
00:24:45,767 --> 00:24:48,197
It's very difficult under
these circumstances to

438
00:24:48,200 --> 00:24:50,970
have any precise estimate.

439
00:24:50,967 --> 00:24:53,197
There is no one magic number.

440
00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:58,800
The initial calculations, there
was agreement among BP and NOAA

441
00:24:58,800 --> 00:25:03,900
scientists that the likely,
approximate rate of flow was

442
00:25:03,900 --> 00:25:07,200
around 1,000 barrels a day.

443
00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:09,970
It quickly became
obvious, however,

444
00:25:09,967 --> 00:25:12,997
that there was more oil
accumulating at the surface

445
00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:17,800
than would be possible
at that flow rate.

446
00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:20,730
We have since redone
those calculations,

447
00:25:20,734 --> 00:25:23,964
taking into account
aerial observations,

448
00:25:23,967 --> 00:25:27,037
using satellite and aircraft --
so how much total area at the

449
00:25:27,033 --> 00:25:29,933
surface is being covered;
what is the type of oil;

450
00:25:29,934 --> 00:25:32,864
what is the distribution of it
-- it doesn't cover 100 percent

451
00:25:32,867 --> 00:25:37,137
of the surface, it's often in
cornrows and streams -- so what

452
00:25:37,133 --> 00:25:39,733
is the percent area coverage.

453
00:25:39,734 --> 00:25:43,564
And then you subtract from that
the burning that has been done

454
00:25:43,567 --> 00:25:46,437
with the platform and the oil on
the surface with the controlled

455
00:25:46,433 --> 00:25:49,403
burn, for example -- the
application of dispersants,

456
00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:52,170
skimming operations and in situ.

457
00:25:52,166 --> 00:25:55,536
And you can come up with a
number that is then averaged

458
00:25:55,533 --> 00:25:57,463
over the total number of days.

459
00:25:57,467 --> 00:26:00,097
And so the revised
upward estimate of 5,000

460
00:26:00,100 --> 00:26:04,030
barrels per day that was
announced last night is a

461
00:26:04,033 --> 00:26:06,433
reflection of those
calculations.

462
00:26:06,433 --> 00:26:11,503
It's quite likely we will
continue to pay close attention

463
00:26:11,500 --> 00:26:15,570
to what is on the surface
and to do these numbers,

464
00:26:15,567 --> 00:26:19,537
and there may be estimates --
revised estimates down the road.

465
00:26:19,533 --> 00:26:25,863
But this is -- simply observing
where the oil is coming out is

466
00:26:25,867 --> 00:26:36,537
insufficient to really calculate any
flow rate with any degree of accuracy.

467
00:26:36,533 --> 00:26:39,833
The Press:
It was mentioned that a
relief well permit was granted

468
00:26:39,834 --> 00:26:42,634
that could happen within
the next coming days,

469
00:26:42,633 --> 00:26:45,733
but a company representative
himself said it could take up

470
00:26:45,734 --> 00:26:47,834
to 90 days for that
relief well to be --

471
00:26:47,834 --> 00:26:49,234
Mr. Gibbs:
That's how long
the original was --

472
00:26:49,233 --> 00:26:50,063
The Press:
-- to be effective.

473
00:26:50,066 --> 00:26:54,936
So how long are we talking about
before this can get under control?

474
00:26:54,934 --> 00:26:57,234
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
Well, there are several
potential ways to get

475
00:26:57,233 --> 00:26:58,263
this under control.

476
00:26:58,266 --> 00:27:01,596
First of all, the relief valve
is the final and most assured

477
00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:06,130
final step -- that would be
to essentially drill down the

478
00:27:06,133 --> 00:27:11,003
19,000 feet to where the
formation is and to block off

479
00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:13,670
the well that is now open.

480
00:27:13,667 --> 00:27:19,467
So that -- this particular well
took 90 days to drill -- the one

481
00:27:19,467 --> 00:27:21,637
that is -- that the
accident occurred on.

482
00:27:21,633 --> 00:27:25,263
So we're just estimating that it
could take up to another 90 days

483
00:27:25,266 --> 00:27:27,266
to put the relief well in.

484
00:27:27,266 --> 00:27:33,366
In the meantime, we're working with
the BP on two other major approaches.

485
00:27:33,367 --> 00:27:37,497
One is to deal with this blowout
preventer stack and to take --

486
00:27:37,500 --> 00:27:42,170
to use every capability to try
to get it -- the rams to close.

487
00:27:42,166 --> 00:27:44,136
That work continues.

488
00:27:44,133 --> 00:27:47,133
The other thing -- the other
approach that's being used is a

489
00:27:47,133 --> 00:27:50,963
cofferdam is being constructed
that would be lowered down to

490
00:27:50,967 --> 00:27:52,397
just above the leak.

491
00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:56,630
It would essentially collect the
oil and then pump it up to the

492
00:27:56,633 --> 00:27:59,663
top so that you wouldn't have
it dispersed and a much more

493
00:27:59,667 --> 00:28:01,337
efficient collection system.

494
00:28:01,333 --> 00:28:03,633
The Press:
So the best-case scenario
is how long until this

495
00:28:03,633 --> 00:28:06,533
-- you get this
oil under control?

496
00:28:06,533 --> 00:28:08,003
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
Well, best-case
scenario is that the

497
00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:11,230
blowout preventer efforts --
interventions which are still

498
00:28:11,233 --> 00:28:12,903
underway -- work.

499
00:28:12,900 --> 00:28:14,800
The Press:
And worst-case scenario
is we could see 5,000

500
00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:17,170
barrels a day for
the next 90 days?

501
00:28:17,166 --> 00:28:20,196
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
It could be 90 days
before the relief

502
00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:22,170
valve is put in.

503
00:28:22,166 --> 00:28:26,736
The Press:
Robert, can you tell us
what impact this incident is

504
00:28:26,734 --> 00:28:30,864
having on the President's view
of offshore oil drilling,

505
00:28:30,867 --> 00:28:33,967
the proposal he put out some
weeks ago to expand some

506
00:28:33,967 --> 00:28:35,137
offshore oil drilling?

507
00:28:35,133 --> 00:28:40,603
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me get Carol and
David, who both have --

508
00:28:40,600 --> 00:28:42,000
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
I think our focus, frankly,

509
00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:47,000
is on this particular matter --
that we are dead set at looking

510
00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:49,730
at what happened here,
and dealing with it,

511
00:28:49,734 --> 00:28:51,434
and trying to learn
the lessons of it.

512
00:28:51,433 --> 00:28:53,003
I'll leave it for Carol.

513
00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,800
Ms. Browner:
The announcement that
was made of Secretary

514
00:28:55,800 --> 00:28:58,370
Salazar about a new five-year
drilling plan is the beginning

515
00:28:58,367 --> 00:29:00,997
of a process, and I think it's
really important for everyone to

516
00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:02,900
understand -- and we said it at
the time and we want to say it

517
00:29:02,900 --> 00:29:05,830
again here today -- that there
will be ample opportunity for

518
00:29:05,834 --> 00:29:08,564
public input, there will
be ample opportunity for

519
00:29:08,567 --> 00:29:11,637
congressional and
governor input.

520
00:29:11,633 --> 00:29:13,733
That is the beginning
of a process,

521
00:29:13,734 --> 00:29:14,804
not the end of a process.

522
00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:17,870
Obviously, what's occurring
now will also be taken into

523
00:29:17,867 --> 00:29:21,767
consideration as the
administration looks to how to

524
00:29:21,767 --> 00:29:25,667
advance that plan and what makes sense
and what might need to be adjusted.

525
00:29:25,667 --> 00:29:28,437
The Press:
Might it be expected to
have an adverse impact on

526
00:29:28,433 --> 00:29:30,263
expanding offshore oil drilling?

527
00:29:30,266 --> 00:29:32,066
Ms. Browner:
Well, as David said right now,

528
00:29:32,066 --> 00:29:33,396
we need to stay focused
on the incident.

529
00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:35,030
We need to learn
from the incident.

530
00:29:35,033 --> 00:29:37,033
We need to take
that information.

531
00:29:37,033 --> 00:29:40,233
And as the process for the
five-year OCS plan -- public

532
00:29:40,233 --> 00:29:43,363
hearings, et cetera -- unfolds,
that all needs to be folded in.

533
00:29:43,367 --> 00:29:48,037
That plan doesn't automatically
open up an area to drilling.

534
00:29:48,033 --> 00:29:52,803
It starts a process, and an area may
or may not become open to drilling.

535
00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:54,200
Mr. Gibbs:
I think that last point
-- and I would just

536
00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:56,570
emphasize that -- emphasize
Carol's last point,

537
00:29:56,567 --> 00:30:00,397
but also say that the President
renewed his concern about the

538
00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:04,470
incident this morning, in
ensuring that -- how that

539
00:30:04,467 --> 00:30:08,297
impacts any future decision
that's made, again,

540
00:30:08,300 --> 00:30:14,070
based on a plan that designates the
possible areas to be opened. Suzanne.

541
00:30:14,066 --> 00:30:15,336
The Press:
But, Robert, if I
could just follow up,

542
00:30:15,333 --> 00:30:17,863
does it give anyone pause, in
light of what has happened here,

543
00:30:17,867 --> 00:30:22,197
about the wisdom or the efficacy
of opening up offshore drilling?

544
00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:24,000
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, Suzanne, I
think it's important to

545
00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:29,430
understand we are -- the area
that you're looking at broadly

546
00:30:29,433 --> 00:30:34,403
right there is where we get
about a third of our domestic

547
00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:37,630
oil right now.

548
00:30:37,633 --> 00:30:45,803
So there are hundreds of oil
and gas wells in this area.

549
00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:49,570
I would -- again, I think it's
important to understand both

550
00:30:49,567 --> 00:30:52,437
what David and Carol said about
the President designated -- and

551
00:30:52,433 --> 00:30:54,903
you heard the President
say it that day.

552
00:30:54,900 --> 00:30:59,200
We have looked at -- based
on the fact that the ban on

553
00:30:59,200 --> 00:31:02,430
drilling in the Outer
Continental Shelf had expired,

554
00:31:02,433 --> 00:31:07,563
we looked at additional areas
that could be open possibly to

555
00:31:07,567 --> 00:31:08,767
further drilling.

556
00:31:08,767 --> 00:31:10,837
But as Carol said,
that starts a process.

557
00:31:10,834 --> 00:31:15,204
That is not a -- the President's
announcement was not the end,

558
00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:19,930
rather the beginning of a longer
process that will eventually

559
00:31:19,934 --> 00:31:23,304
evaluate from the
Department of the Interior,

560
00:31:23,300 --> 00:31:32,130
the Minerals Management Service,
the efficacy of each of those --

561
00:31:32,133 --> 00:31:33,833
each petition to do so.

562
00:31:33,834 --> 00:31:35,604
The Press:
So the President is still
confident that it's safe

563
00:31:35,600 --> 00:31:37,030
to expand offshore drilling?

564
00:31:37,033 --> 00:31:38,833
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I would say this
-- we don't know what

565
00:31:38,834 --> 00:31:41,304
caused what's happening today.

566
00:31:41,300 --> 00:31:44,800
So I don't want to say that
short of knowing -- today we

567
00:31:44,800 --> 00:31:47,030
don't know what caused this.

568
00:31:47,033 --> 00:31:50,203
If we're saying that David and
Ken and others came to the

569
00:31:50,200 --> 00:31:51,730
President and said,
here's what caused it,

570
00:31:51,734 --> 00:31:54,704
would that -- could that
possibly change his viewpoint?

571
00:31:54,700 --> 00:31:55,800
Well, of course.

572
00:31:55,800 --> 00:32:00,330
I think our focus right now
is, one, the area, the spill,

573
00:32:00,333 --> 00:32:03,233
and two, also to ultimately
determine the cause of it and

574
00:32:03,233 --> 00:32:06,663
see the impact that that
ultimately may or may not have.

575
00:32:06,667 --> 00:32:08,437
The Press:
And how much time do the
people of Louisiana have

576
00:32:08,433 --> 00:32:10,163
before this oil hits the shore?

577
00:32:10,166 --> 00:32:12,396
Is this imminent?

578
00:32:12,400 --> 00:32:15,770
Mr. Gibbs:
I think Rear Admiral Brice-O'Hara
said that we think it's

579
00:32:15,767 --> 00:32:18,067
likely that -- later
tomorrow afternoon.

580
00:32:18,066 --> 00:32:19,666
The Press:
Do you have any sense
of how much damage,

581
00:32:19,667 --> 00:32:21,497
what kind of impact
that could have?

582
00:32:21,500 --> 00:32:25,200
And can you also -- somebody talk
about the impact on the wildlife?

583
00:32:25,200 --> 00:32:29,800
Secretary Napolitano:
Let me just say -- I'm sorry,

584
00:32:29,800 --> 00:32:33,970
hitting shore presumes no
dispersant, no skimming,

585
00:32:33,967 --> 00:32:36,667
no burning, and no boom.

586
00:32:36,667 --> 00:32:41,197
But the booming is going on,
in particular in places where

587
00:32:41,200 --> 00:32:47,600
according to the trajectories we
think it would head for land first.

588
00:32:47,600 --> 00:32:51,170
And that is this outer area
right here in Louisiana --

589
00:32:51,166 --> 00:32:52,366
it's deployed right up there.

590
00:32:52,367 --> 00:32:55,467
So you can see that's where the
boom has been deployed. Admiral.

591
00:32:55,467 --> 00:32:58,467
REAR Admiral Brice-O'Hara:
Well, I would just
add that there is a

592
00:32:58,467 --> 00:33:00,397
-- what's called an
area contingency plan.

593
00:33:00,400 --> 00:33:04,670
It's what all of the involved
stakeholders have pre-planned.

594
00:33:04,667 --> 00:33:08,337
We know where the sensitive
areas are -- nesting areas,

595
00:33:08,333 --> 00:33:10,003
fishing areas.

596
00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:13,900
All of the habitat
is well understood.

597
00:33:13,900 --> 00:33:17,200
It's part of a plan as to how
you then would lay out the boom

598
00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:21,670
to protect threatened areas from
the product that's coming in.

599
00:33:21,667 --> 00:33:26,467
There is imprecision of just
what the winds and the sea state

600
00:33:26,467 --> 00:33:29,597
will do with this slick as
it moves closer to land.

601
00:33:29,600 --> 00:33:33,570
But our best
estimate is tomorrow,

602
00:33:33,567 --> 00:33:35,997
late tomorrow early
into Saturday.

603
00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:38,700
There is a little bit of a
piece that seems to be floating

604
00:33:38,700 --> 00:33:40,230
somewhat separate from that.

605
00:33:40,233 --> 00:33:41,733
We're watching that carefully.

606
00:33:41,734 --> 00:33:45,134
But the boom will be
there ready to respond.

607
00:33:45,133 --> 00:33:47,063
And then it's a
layered approach.

608
00:33:47,066 --> 00:33:48,166
That's not the only thing.

609
00:33:48,166 --> 00:33:50,366
Behind booms you
have absorbent pads.

610
00:33:50,367 --> 00:33:52,737
You have cleanup that's ongoing.

611
00:33:52,734 --> 00:33:57,464
Again, this is a cleanup team
hired by the responsible party;

612
00:33:57,467 --> 00:33:59,037
the polluter is paying.

613
00:33:59,033 --> 00:34:01,663
But the Coast Guard, the
federal government family,

614
00:34:01,667 --> 00:34:05,337
will be there in our roles to
oversee that response and make

615
00:34:05,333 --> 00:34:08,603
sure that it's safe, that it's
efficient and effective in the

616
00:34:08,600 --> 00:34:12,330
right places that have already
been delineated with the

617
00:34:12,333 --> 00:34:14,603
longstanding plan
for the region.

618
00:34:14,600 --> 00:34:16,470
The Press:
So what's been the impact
to wildlife so far?

619
00:34:16,467 --> 00:34:17,597
Do we know?

620
00:34:17,600 --> 00:34:21,830
REAR Admiral Brice-O'Hara:
We have no indication
-- I'll ask Dr. Lubchenco

621
00:34:21,834 --> 00:34:24,264
to speak to that as well
-- we have no indication

622
00:34:24,266 --> 00:34:28,566
that there has been any
recovered wildlife.

623
00:34:28,567 --> 00:34:30,367
Sometimes you
might see seabirds.

624
00:34:30,367 --> 00:34:32,897
None of that has appeared yet.

625
00:34:32,900 --> 00:34:33,730
The Press:
But there will be?

626
00:34:33,734 --> 00:34:34,904
REAR Admiral Brice-O'Hara:
We can't say.

627
00:34:34,900 --> 00:34:36,730
It depends upon how
the oil travels,

628
00:34:36,734 --> 00:34:38,764
how effective the booming is.

629
00:34:38,767 --> 00:34:40,167
We'll wait and see.

630
00:34:40,166 --> 00:34:41,236
But we'll be prepared.

631
00:34:41,233 --> 00:34:44,233
We are assuming worst case, so
we will be prepared for that.

632
00:34:44,233 --> 00:34:45,103
Mr. Gibbs:
And let's also understand,

633
00:34:45,100 --> 00:34:50,770
this is -- as was said, this is
also dependent upon weather conditions.

634
00:34:50,767 --> 00:34:55,867
So understanding that, I also
want to let you all know that

635
00:34:55,867 --> 00:34:59,297
while we have been in here, the
President has reached out and

636
00:34:59,300 --> 00:35:04,930
talked with Governors
Jindal, Crist, Perry,

637
00:35:04,934 --> 00:35:11,934
and Riley -- Riley and Barbour --
the five Gulf State governors.

638
00:35:11,934 --> 00:35:15,164
We'll have a more detailed
readout on that a little bit later.

639
00:35:15,166 --> 00:35:16,136
Jeff, did you have something?

640
00:35:16,133 --> 00:35:16,863
The Press:
Yes, Robert.

641
00:35:16,867 --> 00:35:19,637
As the administration looks
at the causes of this,

642
00:35:19,633 --> 00:35:26,163
would you support having a pause
in new deepwater oil drilling,

643
00:35:26,166 --> 00:35:28,766
so that oil companies can prove
they have the technology and the

644
00:35:28,767 --> 00:35:31,997
ability to control and prevent
these types of spills?

645
00:35:32,000 --> 00:35:35,230
Mr. Gibbs:
David, do you want
to -- David and Carol.

646
00:35:35,233 --> 00:35:36,433
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
Everything is on the table.

647
00:35:36,433 --> 00:35:40,863
We are looking at -- that's why
collecting the best minds this

648
00:35:40,867 --> 00:35:44,167
afternoon to look and
see what the issue was.

649
00:35:44,166 --> 00:35:47,536
As Robert alluded to, this is an
extraordinarily unusual event.

650
00:35:47,533 --> 00:35:50,903
The last time there was a
blowout like this with loss

651
00:35:50,900 --> 00:35:52,970
of life was 1984.

652
00:35:52,967 --> 00:35:58,267
And in the meantime, we have a
thousand offshore platforms or

653
00:35:58,266 --> 00:36:01,396
mobile rigs in operation
producing 30 percent of our

654
00:36:01,400 --> 00:36:03,470
domestic energy supply.

655
00:36:03,467 --> 00:36:07,067
But we are determined to
get to the bottom of it,

656
00:36:07,066 --> 00:36:11,666
and to enhance
the safety issues.

657
00:36:11,667 --> 00:36:14,697
That's why Secretary Salazar
today is announcing the

658
00:36:14,700 --> 00:36:18,000
additional inspections, and
we are looking at additional

659
00:36:18,000 --> 00:36:20,100
short-term steps
that we can take.

660
00:36:20,100 --> 00:36:22,770
And I expect you'll hear more
about that in the coming days.

661
00:36:22,767 --> 00:36:25,097
The Press:
Might those short-term
steps include a pause in --

662
00:36:25,100 --> 00:36:26,170
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
I do not know.

663
00:36:26,166 --> 00:36:29,566
We're in the process
of evaluating.

664
00:36:29,567 --> 00:36:32,297
This is a highly regulated area.

665
00:36:32,300 --> 00:36:36,400
We think the fundamental
practice is safe.

666
00:36:36,400 --> 00:36:39,300
But obviously, we're looking
very hard at everything.

667
00:36:39,300 --> 00:36:40,600
The Press:
And one follow-up for Carol.

668
00:36:40,600 --> 00:36:44,430
Carol, does this -- how does
this affect your efforts to get

669
00:36:44,433 --> 00:36:48,003
a climate bill advanced?

670
00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:50,000
Ms. Browner:
Well, as the President
said yesterday,

671
00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:52,130
we remain committed to
comprehensive energy reform.

672
00:36:52,133 --> 00:36:56,033
We continue our efforts
with members in the Senate,

673
00:36:56,033 --> 00:36:57,733
and we'll be continuing these.

674
00:36:57,734 --> 00:37:00,634
Obviously this will become,
I think, part of the debate;

675
00:37:00,633 --> 00:37:02,063
that goes without saying.

676
00:37:02,066 --> 00:37:04,596
But I don't think it means
that we can't get the kind of

677
00:37:04,600 --> 00:37:07,470
important energy legislation
that we need for the people of

678
00:37:07,467 --> 00:37:10,337
this country if we're going to
create the clean energy jobs

679
00:37:10,333 --> 00:37:13,963
that will allow us not only
to build our renewables here,

680
00:37:13,967 --> 00:37:16,297
to build clean batteries here,
but also to compete in the

681
00:37:16,300 --> 00:37:18,870
global demand for clean
energy technologies.

682
00:37:18,867 --> 00:37:20,137
The Press:
But does this not hurt
the process a little bit,

683
00:37:20,133 --> 00:37:22,063
a process that's
already kind of hurting?

684
00:37:22,066 --> 00:37:24,036
Ms. Browner:
I think it becomes
part of the debate.

685
00:37:24,033 --> 00:37:26,203
And that's the way
these things happen.

686
00:37:26,200 --> 00:37:29,530
Something happens and it has to then
be incorporated into the debate.

687
00:37:29,533 --> 00:37:32,103
But we're looking at all energy
production when we talk about

688
00:37:32,100 --> 00:37:34,630
comprehensive energy
reform for this country.

689
00:37:34,633 --> 00:37:36,503
Mr. Gibbs:
Jeff, I'd also mention
-- I would take into

690
00:37:36,500 --> 00:37:39,270
account what the Department of
Interior announced yesterday as

691
00:37:39,266 --> 00:37:43,396
also weighing in on the debate
by approving the first offshore

692
00:37:43,400 --> 00:37:47,000
wind farm in the United States.

693
00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:51,000
And Secretary Salazar said
during that announcement this is

694
00:37:51,000 --> 00:37:55,770
the beginning of a host of these
along the Eastern Coast. Mike.

695
00:37:55,767 --> 00:37:57,337
The Press:
So two things, Robert.

696
00:37:57,333 --> 00:38:02,303
One, is there a reason
why this kind of assembly,

697
00:38:02,300 --> 00:38:05,030
with all of these folks
and you briefing us,

698
00:38:05,033 --> 00:38:07,033
didn't happen earlier?

699
00:38:07,033 --> 00:38:10,733
And this goes sort of to Chip's
question about response.

700
00:38:10,734 --> 00:38:13,534
I mean, obviously you guys are
completely geared up today,

701
00:38:13,533 --> 00:38:16,763
but why haven't we seen this
kind of geared up earlier?

702
00:38:16,767 --> 00:38:18,737
Mr. Gibbs:
Mike, I've read many of
the stories in your paper.

703
00:38:18,734 --> 00:38:21,164
I think you've got reporters
that have covered,

704
00:38:21,166 --> 00:38:23,866
as I mentioned, the daily media
briefings that have generally

705
00:38:23,867 --> 00:38:25,437
happened at 3:00 or
4:00 in the afternoon.

706
00:38:25,433 --> 00:38:29,263
An additional one happened last
evening to announce the new

707
00:38:29,266 --> 00:38:31,096
information about an
additional breach.

708
00:38:31,100 --> 00:38:33,730
All of the members that are
standing behind me represent

709
00:38:33,734 --> 00:38:38,464
departments that have been
keeping the President up to date

710
00:38:38,467 --> 00:38:44,897
for as long as this has been an
incident that we've been watching.

711
00:38:44,900 --> 00:38:51,530
The President spent quite a bit
of time a week ago getting fully

712
00:38:51,533 --> 00:38:53,503
updated on what's going on.

713
00:38:53,500 --> 00:38:54,200
I would say this.

714
00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:58,400
There's no doubt that -- and I
don't want to presume that this

715
00:38:58,400 --> 00:39:02,870
won't continue to happen -- but
as we go farther, we learn more,

716
00:39:02,867 --> 00:39:04,667
and circumstances change.

717
00:39:04,667 --> 00:39:08,397
I think you've heard each and
every person here say we have

718
00:39:08,400 --> 00:39:14,330
planned for and dispersed
resources for whatever the

719
00:39:14,333 --> 00:39:18,033
worst-case scenario might
be: 80,000 feet of boom,

720
00:39:18,033 --> 00:39:22,503
with more in the area, to
potentially be deployed;

721
00:39:22,500 --> 00:39:29,430
a whole host of activities that
are being carried out to ensure

722
00:39:29,433 --> 00:39:31,763
that what we envision as the
worst-case scenario doesn't

723
00:39:31,767 --> 00:39:32,997
come to pass.

724
00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:34,730
The Press:
Can I just follow
up one other --

725
00:39:34,734 --> 00:39:35,864
Mr. Gibbs:
You want to add something?

726
00:39:35,867 --> 00:39:38,967
Secretary Napolitano:
I just wanted to add
something to that,

727
00:39:38,967 --> 00:39:43,897
which is to say that
as the spill occurred,

728
00:39:43,900 --> 00:39:48,130
the initial first on-scene
responder, Coast Guard;

729
00:39:48,133 --> 00:39:52,803
the initial focus, of course,
was removing -- helping remove

730
00:39:52,800 --> 00:39:57,430
workers and also the search
for the 11 missing workers.

731
00:39:57,433 --> 00:40:02,133
By Friday we had convened the
National Response Team and we

732
00:40:02,133 --> 00:40:08,503
had convened that at the Cabinet
level to begin making sure that

733
00:40:08,500 --> 00:40:12,870
on the scene, on the ground in
Louisiana, in the Gulf Coast,

734
00:40:12,867 --> 00:40:16,637
everything was being done
and coordinated properly.

735
00:40:16,633 --> 00:40:21,203
The press has been focused on
the ground there simply because

736
00:40:21,200 --> 00:40:23,700
that's where the
information was.

737
00:40:23,700 --> 00:40:28,030
The reason for this
today is because now,

738
00:40:28,033 --> 00:40:31,933
as information is becoming
more and more available,

739
00:40:31,934 --> 00:40:35,334
we have declared this
an incident of national

740
00:40:35,333 --> 00:40:38,563
significance and we wanted
to make sure that you and,

741
00:40:38,567 --> 00:40:41,797
in particular, the residents of
the Gulf Coast knew the extent

742
00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:45,370
not only of our involvement, but
of the President's involvement.

743
00:40:45,367 --> 00:40:46,667
The Press:
Can I just ask one other thing?

744
00:40:46,667 --> 00:40:49,237
I went back and read this
morning the President's speech

745
00:40:49,233 --> 00:40:52,703
that he gave at the end of March
on the offshore oil drilling,

746
00:40:52,700 --> 00:40:55,530
and to be fair, he didn't talk
about -- it wasn't a speech

747
00:40:55,533 --> 00:40:57,063
about the beginning
of a process,

748
00:40:57,066 --> 00:41:02,236
he talked about that there will
be critics on the left and

749
00:41:02,233 --> 00:41:08,903
critics on the right, but that
he was convinced that opening

750
00:41:08,900 --> 00:41:11,030
these areas to
more oil drilling,

751
00:41:11,033 --> 00:41:13,333
more oil exploration was
the right thing to do.

752
00:41:13,333 --> 00:41:15,103
So I guess the question is --

753
00:41:15,100 --> 00:41:17,130
Mr. Gibbs:
But understand -- can I
just -- understand, Mike,

754
00:41:17,133 --> 00:41:21,133
that there is a legal process in what
he announced that has to be done.

755
00:41:21,133 --> 00:41:24,703
I mean, the President might not
have enumerated the length of

756
00:41:24,700 --> 00:41:28,470
the legal process, but that's
why the Department of Interior

757
00:41:28,467 --> 00:41:31,897
and the Minerals Management
Service has a permitting process

758
00:41:31,900 --> 00:41:36,070
for each well and for each
petition for that well.

759
00:41:36,066 --> 00:41:38,796
So understand that --
Mike, as I've said,

760
00:41:38,800 --> 00:41:41,500
as the President has said, as I
think probably everybody in the

761
00:41:41,500 --> 00:41:45,130
States -- there is no one thing
that can be done to reduce our

762
00:41:45,133 --> 00:41:47,733
dependence on foreign oil
-- from an environmental,

763
00:41:47,734 --> 00:41:50,164
from a national security, or
from an economic standpoint.

764
00:41:50,166 --> 00:41:53,366
If there was one thing, rest
assured somebody would have done

765
00:41:53,367 --> 00:41:55,367
it -- likely in a
previous administration.

766
00:41:55,367 --> 00:42:00,267
That's why we've taken steps
to increase clean energy jobs,

767
00:42:00,266 --> 00:42:03,136
wind and solar
investment, wind farms.

768
00:42:03,133 --> 00:42:06,763
And the President does believe we
have to increase domestic production.

769
00:42:06,767 --> 00:42:10,137
But again, understanding, Mike,
that the process that the

770
00:42:10,133 --> 00:42:13,663
President announced was the
beginning of that process

771
00:42:13,667 --> 00:42:17,497
because there are a host of
legal things that have to happen

772
00:42:17,500 --> 00:42:22,600
-- I made mention of the
wind farm off the coast of

773
00:42:22,600 --> 00:42:25,830
Massachusetts -- I think the
paper said today that was --

774
00:42:25,834 --> 00:42:28,704
this is basically a
nine-year decision.

775
00:42:28,700 --> 00:42:33,030
So understand that all of these
do take some time. Christi.

776
00:42:33,033 --> 00:42:35,233
The Press:
Secretary Napolitano, could
you take some immigration

777
00:42:35,233 --> 00:42:36,803
questions before you go?

778
00:42:36,800 --> 00:42:38,300
Secretary Napolitano:
I'll ask --

779
00:42:38,300 --> 00:42:43,230
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, let's do these, and then
we'll see what we have left.

780
00:42:43,233 --> 00:42:45,263
The Press:
You mentioned that there's
going to be a much greater

781
00:42:45,266 --> 00:42:46,866
federal response to this.

782
00:42:46,867 --> 00:42:50,067
Can you give us an estimate of
how much you think this is going

783
00:42:50,066 --> 00:42:51,666
to cost in a
worst-case scenario,

784
00:42:51,667 --> 00:42:55,167
and who is going to bear
the cost of that response?

785
00:42:55,166 --> 00:42:56,496
Will it be American taxpayers?

786
00:42:56,500 --> 00:42:58,830
Mr. Gibbs:
Under the Oil Pollution
Act, BP pays for all this.

787
00:42:58,834 --> 00:42:59,504
The Press:
They pay for everything?

788
00:42:59,500 --> 00:43:00,170
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes.

789
00:43:00,166 --> 00:43:02,096
The Press:
Robert, would you agree
with Henry Waxman --

790
00:43:02,100 --> 00:43:03,570
Mr. Gibbs:
Hold on, let me just go here. Yes.

791
00:43:03,567 --> 00:43:04,797
The Press:
Is there a point, though,

792
00:43:04,800 --> 00:43:08,870
where the federal government
shifts from oversight of BP to

793
00:43:08,867 --> 00:43:12,937
saying, we're taking control
and we'll send you the bill,

794
00:43:12,934 --> 00:43:16,964
and are we at that point?

795
00:43:16,967 --> 00:43:19,097
REAR Admiral Brice-O'Hara:
We are certainly not
at that point now.

796
00:43:19,100 --> 00:43:23,270
And I don't imagine, given the
professionalism of our partner,

797
00:43:23,266 --> 00:43:30,536
BP, and -- maybe partner
was -- let me back up.

798
00:43:30,533 --> 00:43:30,663
(laughter)

799
00:43:30,667 --> 00:43:33,697
Secretary Napolitano:
They are not our partner --
they are not our partner.

800
00:43:33,700 --> 00:43:38,570
REAR Admiral Brice-O'Hara:
In terms of -- bad
choice of words.

801
00:43:38,567 --> 00:43:42,737
Our responsible party
has shown willingness,

802
00:43:42,734 --> 00:43:46,634
they've shown resolve, they've
shown accommodation for what the

803
00:43:46,633 --> 00:43:48,803
government has asked of them.

804
00:43:48,800 --> 00:43:50,370
They, too, have been
forward leaning.

805
00:43:50,367 --> 00:43:53,497
I can't emphasize enough in
terms of what's happening

806
00:43:53,500 --> 00:43:56,870
underwater -- the state of
the art of that technology.

807
00:43:56,867 --> 00:43:58,697
There are not easy answers.

808
00:43:58,700 --> 00:44:02,330
But relative to
the spill response,

809
00:44:02,333 --> 00:44:06,033
we find that they are doing
what they should be doing.

810
00:44:06,033 --> 00:44:10,963
We will not let up on our
vigilance and observation to

811
00:44:10,967 --> 00:44:14,197
ensure that they continue to
bring everything possible to

812
00:44:14,200 --> 00:44:19,300
bear to manage this spill
response and to prevent damage

813
00:44:19,300 --> 00:44:21,570
to fragile ecosystems.

814
00:44:21,567 --> 00:44:22,737
Administrator Jackson:
Can I?

815
00:44:22,734 --> 00:44:25,964
I actually just want to add
one slight amendment to that.

816
00:44:25,967 --> 00:44:29,597
When it comes to monitoring,
to actually taking data to

817
00:44:29,600 --> 00:44:32,770
determine contamination --
whether it's air, water,

818
00:44:32,767 --> 00:44:35,897
whether it's NOAA's work on
estimation of the amount

819
00:44:35,900 --> 00:44:40,600
released, whether it's deciding
how to protect beaches or

820
00:44:40,600 --> 00:44:45,270
fisheries or fragile resources --
the government is doing that work.

821
00:44:45,266 --> 00:44:47,136
EPA has tasked its contractors.

822
00:44:47,133 --> 00:44:50,563
We will be sending a
bill to BP at some point.

823
00:44:50,567 --> 00:44:53,767
But it's our belief that not
only the federal government,

824
00:44:53,767 --> 00:44:56,167
but, for example, those
fixed-state monitors that are

825
00:44:56,166 --> 00:44:59,336
now being asked to step up
and do more air monitoring or

826
00:44:59,333 --> 00:45:02,533
potentially water monitoring,
that work is best done -- it's

827
00:45:02,533 --> 00:45:05,563
inherently governmental,
but BP should pay for it.

828
00:45:05,567 --> 00:45:08,897
The Press:
You said that BP is
responsible for ultimately

829
00:45:08,900 --> 00:45:11,630
footing the bill, but have there
been any initial cost estimates

830
00:45:11,633 --> 00:45:13,533
that have been --

831
00:45:13,533 --> 00:45:16,263
Mr. Gibbs:
For -- the initial
cost estimate for BP?

832
00:45:16,266 --> 00:45:17,296
The Press:
Yes --

833
00:45:17,300 --> 00:45:18,330
The Press:
Just total.

834
00:45:18,333 --> 00:45:20,833
Mr. Gibbs:
I would direct that to BP.

835
00:45:20,834 --> 00:45:22,904
The Press:
Robert, I have an additional
question for Deputy

836
00:45:22,900 --> 00:45:24,200
Secretary Hayes.

837
00:45:24,200 --> 00:45:28,070
Could you elaborate at all on
the meeting later today and who

838
00:45:28,066 --> 00:45:31,636
from industry will be here --
whether Secretary Salazar will

839
00:45:31,633 --> 00:45:32,663
be back in time?

840
00:45:32,667 --> 00:45:35,397
Will BP be having a
representative at that meeting?

841
00:45:35,400 --> 00:45:37,370
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
Secretary Salazar will be back.

842
00:45:37,367 --> 00:45:38,467
He'll be hosting the meeting.

843
00:45:38,467 --> 00:45:43,867
There will be others from this
stage at that meeting as well.

844
00:45:43,867 --> 00:45:47,437
We have invited all of the major
players in industry that do

845
00:45:47,433 --> 00:45:51,403
deepwater drilling and
production to send their CEO and

846
00:45:51,400 --> 00:45:57,400
top technical folks to have a
discussion about what we might

847
00:45:57,400 --> 00:46:01,330
consider doing in the short
term to ensure safety,

848
00:46:01,333 --> 00:46:03,403
getting to the point
that was made before.

849
00:46:03,400 --> 00:46:07,730
So we expect it to be a
technical and substantive discussion.

850
00:46:07,734 --> 00:46:10,064
The Press:
Do you have any names of
CEOs who will be there?

851
00:46:10,066 --> 00:46:10,966
What companies?

852
00:46:10,967 --> 00:46:14,037
Mr. Gibbs:
We'll get you -- not
just who was invited,

853
00:46:14,033 --> 00:46:15,833
but ultimately who
shows up. Margaret.

854
00:46:15,834 --> 00:46:16,564
The Press:
Thank you.

855
00:46:16,567 --> 00:46:19,567
Robert, some Americans remember
the Santa Barbara spill.

856
00:46:19,567 --> 00:46:21,167
Many remember Exxon Valdez.

857
00:46:21,166 --> 00:46:25,066
Once we know more, do you expect
that because this is such a

858
00:46:25,066 --> 00:46:29,236
galvanizing event, the President
will speak in detail to

859
00:46:29,233 --> 00:46:32,703
Americans about what happened,
what it means environmentally,

860
00:46:32,700 --> 00:46:34,500
what it means for
policies going forward?

861
00:46:34,500 --> 00:46:35,170
Should we expect --

862
00:46:35,166 --> 00:46:37,096
Mr. Gibbs:
Look, I think as Carol said,

863
00:46:37,100 --> 00:46:40,200
this -- and as
Secretary Napolitano,

864
00:46:40,200 --> 00:46:46,600
this is an incident of national
significance and of national

865
00:46:46,600 --> 00:46:51,400
importance, and I anticipate
that that could be possible in

866
00:46:51,400 --> 00:46:52,830
the coming days. April.

867
00:46:52,834 --> 00:46:56,564
The Press:
Robert, if someone here
could speak on this -- this

868
00:46:56,567 --> 00:46:59,567
has a ripple effect, as far
as the economy is concerned,

869
00:46:59,567 --> 00:47:02,137
on the fisheries, as
well as gas prices.

870
00:47:02,133 --> 00:47:04,503
Is there anyone in this
administration who has already

871
00:47:04,500 --> 00:47:08,430
taken the lead or moved into the
area trying to make sure that

872
00:47:08,433 --> 00:47:13,363
prices will not skyrocket as
much as -- with this leakage and

873
00:47:13,367 --> 00:47:16,337
with possible problems
with fish and --

874
00:47:16,333 --> 00:47:22,063
Mr. Gibbs:
Let me just say, I will
-- let me ask NEC on what

875
00:47:22,066 --> 00:47:27,966
they might be working on
in terms of gas prices.

876
00:47:27,967 --> 00:47:31,037
Obviously, one of the things
that we discussed with the

877
00:47:31,033 --> 00:47:36,303
President this morning, you have
shipping channels that could

878
00:47:36,300 --> 00:47:43,270
soon -- the area of the spill
could soon be in a very large

879
00:47:43,266 --> 00:47:45,936
shipping channel, and the
ramifications that may or may

880
00:47:45,934 --> 00:47:46,904
not have as well.

881
00:47:46,900 --> 00:47:48,570
Ms. Browner:
Can I just make
one factual point?

882
00:47:48,567 --> 00:47:51,397
This well was not a
production well yet.

883
00:47:51,400 --> 00:47:52,830
It was an exploration well.

884
00:47:52,834 --> 00:47:57,064
So it wasn't as if oil that was
being shipped out to refineries

885
00:47:57,066 --> 00:47:58,366
has been lost.

886
00:47:58,367 --> 00:48:00,367
This was an exploratory well.

887
00:48:00,367 --> 00:48:02,197
The Press:
But, again, it has a ripple
effect -- and what should

888
00:48:02,200 --> 00:48:03,800
the American public brace for?

889
00:48:03,800 --> 00:48:06,970
I mean people were screaming
at $4 a couple of years ago.

890
00:48:06,967 --> 00:48:09,797
Is that a possibility
now with this because --

891
00:48:09,800 --> 00:48:11,470
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't want to get into
the conjecture of that.

892
00:48:11,467 --> 00:48:15,437
I think as Carol said, it's not
as if a known quantity of oil

893
00:48:15,433 --> 00:48:21,703
has been taken out of the market because
this was exploration not production.

894
00:48:21,700 --> 00:48:25,500
So, April, I think
first and foremost,

895
00:48:25,500 --> 00:48:31,130
the people that are behind me
are focused on managing this

896
00:48:31,133 --> 00:48:37,333
incident and ensuring that it
has a minimal effect on our

897
00:48:37,333 --> 00:48:38,703
environment and our economy.

898
00:48:38,700 --> 00:48:40,030
The Press:
Robert, are you seeing
-- but are you seeing

899
00:48:40,033 --> 00:48:42,133
anything right now, as far as
environmentally concerned,

900
00:48:42,133 --> 00:48:44,833
seeing fish washing up on the
shores and things of that nature?

901
00:48:44,834 --> 00:48:47,704
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, I think that was
addressed earlier that that

902
00:48:47,700 --> 00:48:49,030
was not the case. Sam.

903
00:48:49,033 --> 00:48:51,033
The Press:
You mentioned the calls
to the governors -- has

904
00:48:51,033 --> 00:48:53,563
the President also reached out
for any discussion with members

905
00:48:53,567 --> 00:48:54,967
of Congress from the area?

906
00:48:54,967 --> 00:48:55,837
And, also, is --

907
00:48:55,834 --> 00:48:58,504
Mr. Gibbs:
I believe members of
Congress were briefed last --

908
00:48:58,500 --> 00:49:00,400
Secretary Napolitano:
They've been briefed daily and
sometimes multiple daily --

909
00:49:00,400 --> 00:49:02,230
The Press:
And also, is there any
talk of the President going

910
00:49:02,233 --> 00:49:03,963
down to one of the
command centers?

911
00:49:03,967 --> 00:49:07,497
Mr. Gibbs:
I don't know if -- I can
check scheduling on that.

912
00:49:07,500 --> 00:49:14,270
I know that we've got these
guys going down there tomorrow,

913
00:49:14,266 --> 00:49:17,466
but I don't know about the
President's trip down there. Bill.

914
00:49:17,467 --> 00:49:18,797
The Press:
Robert, does the
administration agree --

915
00:49:18,800 --> 00:49:20,300
Mr. Gibbs:
Hold on, hold on,
let me just -- Bill.

916
00:49:20,300 --> 00:49:21,270
The Press:
Robert, I think --

917
00:49:21,266 --> 00:49:24,136
Mr. Gibbs:
Don't worry, I haven't
missed you. Bill.

918
00:49:24,133 --> 00:49:27,303
The Press:
I think the Admiral mentioned
the Mississippi Delta

919
00:49:27,300 --> 00:49:29,400
as maybe tomorrow
being impacted.

920
00:49:29,400 --> 00:49:32,930
What other -- my question to her
is what other land areas might

921
00:49:32,934 --> 00:49:36,064
be at risk, and -- for
example, the Florida beaches?

922
00:49:36,066 --> 00:49:40,666
And when would you expect
other areas to be impacted

923
00:49:40,667 --> 00:49:42,137
by onshore --

924
00:49:42,133 --> 00:49:44,663
REAR Admiral Brice-O'Hara:
Certainly we are
prepared for this spill

925
00:49:44,667 --> 00:49:47,937
to move throughout the Gulf
dependent upon the wind

926
00:49:47,934 --> 00:49:49,804
and sea conditions.

927
00:49:49,800 --> 00:49:53,570
And we monitor that through
our partners at NOAA.

928
00:49:53,567 --> 00:49:57,667
And their scientific support
coordinators help us anticipate,

929
00:49:57,667 --> 00:50:02,197
and we generally have enough of
a projection so that we can take

930
00:50:02,200 --> 00:50:04,070
the necessary steps.

931
00:50:04,066 --> 00:50:10,736
All of that said, Florida, under
the federal on-scene coordinator

932
00:50:10,734 --> 00:50:14,934
who will be designated today
in Miami to oversee the

933
00:50:14,934 --> 00:50:18,064
coordination of all operations
on the Florida coasts,

934
00:50:18,066 --> 00:50:25,566
has been provided discussion,
information and guidance to

935
00:50:25,567 --> 00:50:27,297
prepare themselves.

936
00:50:27,300 --> 00:50:31,100
They also have contingency plans
that will be brought to bear

937
00:50:31,100 --> 00:50:32,800
when the time is right.

938
00:50:32,800 --> 00:50:35,070
The Press:
So the worst case would
be Florida, Mississippi,

939
00:50:35,066 --> 00:50:37,336
Louisiana, Texas?

940
00:50:37,333 --> 00:50:40,003
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, look, I think given
where the oil is and the

941
00:50:40,000 --> 00:50:43,770
calls that the President made,
we're taking the precaution that

942
00:50:43,767 --> 00:50:45,737
based on sea and
wind conditions,

943
00:50:45,734 --> 00:50:48,464
this could go --
you know, again,

944
00:50:48,467 --> 00:50:53,837
it could -- what these guys are
prepared to do is act on the

945
00:50:53,834 --> 00:50:55,004
worst-case scenario.

946
00:50:55,000 --> 00:50:59,330
The action on the ground is to
ensure that that doesn't come to pass.

947
00:50:59,333 --> 00:51:01,803
And that's what we're
working on right now.

948
00:51:01,800 --> 00:51:02,900
Dr. Lubchenco:
Robert, can I answer --

949
00:51:02,900 --> 00:51:04,200
Mr. Gibbs:
Oh, I'm sorry --

950
00:51:04,200 --> 00:51:07,400
Dr. Lubchenco:
One of the responsibilities
that NOAA has in this regard

951
00:51:07,400 --> 00:51:10,070
is to stay on top of the
weather forecasts and to

952
00:51:10,066 --> 00:51:12,766
do the oil spill trajectories.

953
00:51:12,767 --> 00:51:15,837
We are able to do only a number
of days out at a time because

954
00:51:15,834 --> 00:51:18,834
the winds are so variable
this time of year.

955
00:51:18,834 --> 00:51:22,134
When the oil first was
released from the well,

956
00:51:22,133 --> 00:51:24,303
it stayed in that area.

957
00:51:24,300 --> 00:51:27,500
It went -- the winds have
shifted around a number of times

958
00:51:27,500 --> 00:51:31,770
since then, and what we are
doing in addition as a federal

959
00:51:31,767 --> 00:51:36,097
family to preparing for
the worst possible case,

960
00:51:36,100 --> 00:51:41,270
we are also providing relatively
accurate forecasts for a number

961
00:51:41,266 --> 00:51:45,336
of days out with respect to not
only the weather but the likely

962
00:51:45,333 --> 00:51:47,533
trajectory of the oil spill.

963
00:51:47,533 --> 00:51:50,703
We're providing that to the
federal coordinators in the

964
00:51:50,700 --> 00:51:55,270
region and to the states so
that there is ample warning to

965
00:51:55,266 --> 00:51:59,396
prepare and understand where
to place buoys and booms.

966
00:51:59,400 --> 00:52:04,570
The Press:
At this point, your trajectory
shows the oil heading where?

967
00:52:04,567 --> 00:52:08,067
Dr. Lubchenco:
It is currently headed -- yes.

968
00:52:08,066 --> 00:52:10,396
The Press:
And only there?

969
00:52:10,400 --> 00:52:13,570
Dr. Lubchenco:
The current forecast
is for it to head here

970
00:52:13,567 --> 00:52:16,637
and then to move up
around this area.

971
00:52:16,633 --> 00:52:19,733
But as the winds shift,
which they likely do,

972
00:52:19,734 --> 00:52:22,734
that could change.

973
00:52:22,734 --> 00:52:25,904
The Press:
You mentioned the briefing with
members of Congress last night.

974
00:52:25,900 --> 00:52:29,370
Henry Waxman made an assessment
that he felt BP's response to

975
00:52:29,367 --> 00:52:30,937
this wasn't adequate.

976
00:52:30,934 --> 00:52:33,134
I wondered if the administration
agrees with him and if

977
00:52:33,133 --> 00:52:35,703
everything that's being said
here and the intensifying

978
00:52:35,700 --> 00:52:39,670
government oversight represents
an assessment that their plan,

979
00:52:39,667 --> 00:52:41,267
as required by
law, is inadequate.

980
00:52:41,266 --> 00:52:42,236
Mr. Gibbs:
Let's understand this.

981
00:52:42,233 --> 00:52:47,433
"Intensifying oversight" --
oversight is -- that's not accurate.

982
00:52:47,433 --> 00:52:50,333
We have -- based on
the law, the U.S.

983
00:52:50,333 --> 00:52:53,603
government has oversight over
this at the moment that it

984
00:52:53,600 --> 00:52:56,700
became an incident, okay?

985
00:52:56,700 --> 00:53:00,670
The President has asked us
and asked us last evening,

986
00:53:00,667 --> 00:53:02,637
when we briefed
him on the plane,

987
00:53:02,633 --> 00:53:07,363
and asked us again this morning,
to ensure that we are being as

988
00:53:07,367 --> 00:53:10,967
aggressive as possible
in doing all that we can,

989
00:53:10,967 --> 00:53:16,567
and that any and all resources
that might help be deployed as

990
00:53:16,567 --> 00:53:20,367
quickly as possible in order to
ensure that what we have doesn't

991
00:53:20,367 --> 00:53:21,337
become worse.

992
00:53:21,333 --> 00:53:26,333
So we are -- that's our focus,
is ensuring that each and every

993
00:53:26,333 --> 00:53:27,503
step can be taken.

994
00:53:27,500 --> 00:53:31,770
And that's why the President
asked that we -- the Department

995
00:53:31,767 --> 00:53:34,267
of Defense to begin to also look
at what possible assets they

996
00:53:34,266 --> 00:53:37,466
have that could
ultimately be helpful.

997
00:53:37,467 --> 00:53:39,497
The Press:
So is BP's plan adequate, then,

998
00:53:39,500 --> 00:53:40,630
in the administration's view?

999
00:53:40,633 --> 00:53:43,503
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, at the moment, I
think you heard Rear Admiral

1000
00:53:43,500 --> 00:53:48,400
say right now they
are responding,

1001
00:53:48,400 --> 00:53:51,100
we are overseeing
that, and evaluating,

1002
00:53:51,100 --> 00:53:57,670
as conditions change, whether
that needs to change as well.

1003
00:53:57,667 --> 00:53:58,137
Yes, sir.

1004
00:53:58,133 --> 00:54:00,663
The Press:
As this investigation continues
over what caused this,

1005
00:54:00,667 --> 00:54:03,837
are other rigs or other wells in
the region being looked at or

1006
00:54:03,834 --> 00:54:08,264
impacted in a way to prevent
the problem from compounding?

1007
00:54:08,266 --> 00:54:10,566
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
Yes, is the answer.

1008
00:54:10,567 --> 00:54:14,367
Per my earlier statement, we
are increasing our inspection

1009
00:54:14,367 --> 00:54:15,137
frequency.

1010
00:54:15,133 --> 00:54:17,303
We have a SWAT
team of inspectors.

1011
00:54:17,300 --> 00:54:20,730
We have 55 -- the Department of
the Interior Minerals Management

1012
00:54:20,734 --> 00:54:24,164
Service has 55 inspectors
on the ground, in the Gulf,

1013
00:54:24,166 --> 00:54:26,566
dedicated to this task.

1014
00:54:26,567 --> 00:54:29,837
So, yes, inspections
are proceeding.

1015
00:54:29,834 --> 00:54:32,334
The Press:
This particular rig was
inspected how many times,

1016
00:54:32,333 --> 00:54:33,303
and did it pass?

1017
00:54:33,300 --> 00:54:34,800
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
Yes, yes, it was.

1018
00:54:34,800 --> 00:54:36,530
It was -- this particular
rig started drilling in this

1019
00:54:36,533 --> 00:54:38,833
location in January
of this year.

1020
00:54:38,834 --> 00:54:42,804
Under the regulations, it's
subject to monthly inspections.

1021
00:54:42,800 --> 00:54:45,230
It had monthly
inspections, in fact,

1022
00:54:45,233 --> 00:54:50,763
with the last inspection being less
than two weeks before the incident.

1023
00:54:50,767 --> 00:54:54,137
The Press:
I'm sorry, does that suggest
that inspections are

1024
00:54:54,133 --> 00:54:56,563
inadequate if they didn't
find something two weeks ago?

1025
00:54:56,567 --> 00:54:57,797
Deputy Secretary Hayes:
No, we don't think so.

1026
00:54:57,800 --> 00:55:00,730
Mr. Gibbs:
Again, I think it's hard
to determine until you

1027
00:55:00,734 --> 00:55:04,204
determine the cause of
what the incident was.

1028
00:55:04,200 --> 00:55:07,300
The Press:
I have a question about
the slick itself, though.

1029
00:55:07,300 --> 00:55:09,800
First, what's the correct
terminology in the White House

1030
00:55:09,800 --> 00:55:11,530
or the administration's
view at this point,

1031
00:55:11,533 --> 00:55:14,903
because on Monday you guys had
referred to it as surface oil sheen?

1032
00:55:14,900 --> 00:55:18,400
Is that still, with the
5,000-barrel-a-day estimate,

1033
00:55:18,400 --> 00:55:19,400
the way to look at this?

1034
00:55:19,400 --> 00:55:21,870
And if I went out there
into the middle of it --

1035
00:55:21,867 --> 00:55:23,097
Mr. Gibbs:
Would not be advisable.

1036
00:55:23,100 --> 00:55:24,270
(laughter)

1037
00:55:24,266 --> 00:55:25,996
The Press:
Right, but are we talking
about something --

1038
00:55:26,000 --> 00:55:29,430
"sheen" sounds somewhat trivial,
compared to what we remember

1039
00:55:29,433 --> 00:55:33,433
from the Exxon Valdez, which is
gads and gobs of thick crude oil

1040
00:55:33,433 --> 00:55:34,603
coming up onshore.

1041
00:55:34,600 --> 00:55:37,730
Is that what we see
as a potential here,

1042
00:55:37,734 --> 00:55:40,864
or are we talking about a thin
slick of oil that might come

1043
00:55:40,867 --> 00:55:41,197
onto the shore?

1044
00:55:41,200 --> 00:55:43,130
Secretary Napolitano:
It is all of that.

1045
00:55:43,133 --> 00:55:48,433
In parts it is thick enough to
be able to skim and to move into

1046
00:55:48,433 --> 00:55:50,733
a boom for burning.

1047
00:55:50,734 --> 00:55:56,064
In parts, as the oil
-- as time has gone on,

1048
00:55:56,066 --> 00:56:01,296
some of it has formed into balls
and a large part of it is sheen.

1049
00:56:01,300 --> 00:56:05,870
And then there are different types
of sheen depending on thickness.

1050
00:56:05,867 --> 00:56:08,267
If you want the
technical definitions,

1051
00:56:08,266 --> 00:56:11,766
I think we can arrange to
get that information to you.

1052
00:56:11,767 --> 00:56:15,497
But it's all of those
different types.

1053
00:56:15,500 --> 00:56:17,600
Dr. Lubchenco:
I think it's useful
to note that the oil

1054
00:56:17,600 --> 00:56:20,230
that's being released is
a light to medium crude,

1055
00:56:20,233 --> 00:56:23,063
so it's a different type of oil
than that released in the Exxon

1056
00:56:23,066 --> 00:56:24,936
Valdez spill.

1057
00:56:24,934 --> 00:56:28,564
When it first emerges it's
in a much more liquid form.

1058
00:56:28,567 --> 00:56:34,037
As it is exposed to weathering
for a number of days it takes on

1059
00:56:34,033 --> 00:56:35,663
a different texture.

1060
00:56:35,667 --> 00:56:38,597
Much of the oil is volatilized.

1061
00:56:38,600 --> 00:56:42,570
And so the oil that we
anticipate coming ashore,

1062
00:56:42,567 --> 00:56:47,167
for example, is more likely
to be in the form of mats or

1063
00:56:47,166 --> 00:56:48,996
strings or tar-balls.

1064
00:56:49,000 --> 00:56:52,300
So it does change through time.

1065
00:56:52,300 --> 00:56:56,330
And the oil that is -- has
dispersants applied to it

1066
00:56:56,333 --> 00:57:00,933
becomes emulsified and is pulled
away from the surface and down

1067
00:57:00,934 --> 00:57:02,134
in subsurface.

1068
00:57:02,133 --> 00:57:04,533
So you would see different
things in different places.

1069
00:57:04,533 --> 00:57:06,733
It's not a uniform slick.

1070
00:57:06,734 --> 00:57:08,234
Mr. Gibbs:
Last one here. Yes.

1071
00:57:08,233 --> 00:57:10,263
The Press:
Secretary Napolitano,
you come, of course,

1072
00:57:10,266 --> 00:57:12,936
from Arizona, a
landlocked state.

1073
00:57:12,934 --> 00:57:15,534
I'm curious -- I'm sure you've
never dealt with anything like

1074
00:57:15,533 --> 00:57:19,763
this before in your tenure as
governor of Arizona -- has this

1075
00:57:19,767 --> 00:57:24,767
been a steep learning curve for
you as Homeland Security Secretary?

1076
00:57:24,767 --> 00:57:28,037
Secretary Napolitano:
In terms of the
terminology and the

1077
00:57:28,033 --> 00:57:30,103
technology, yes.

1078
00:57:30,100 --> 00:57:34,970
In terms of managing an incident
that involves multiple federal

1079
00:57:34,967 --> 00:57:38,597
agencies and the intersect
with state and locals,

1080
00:57:38,600 --> 00:57:42,470
we've already been through
several of those in my tenure

1081
00:57:42,467 --> 00:57:44,397
as Homeland Security Secretary.

1082
00:57:44,400 --> 00:57:46,070
Mr. Gibbs:
Thanks, guys.

1083
00:57:46,066 --> 00:57:47,936
The Press:
Can we do immigration?

1084
00:57:47,934 --> 00:57:50,504
The Press:
Are you finished?

1085
00:57:50,500 --> 00:57:53,270
Mr. Gibbs:
Yes, we're finished, because
the President is going

1086
00:57:53,266 --> 00:57:55,896
to speak shortly and we want to
make sure you're ready for that.

1087
00:57:55,900 --> 00:57:57,200
The Press:
Any chance he'll speak on this?

1088
00:57:57,200 --> 00:57:59,170
Mr. Gibbs:
What's that?

1089
00:57:59,166 --> 00:58:00,736
The Press:
Do you think he'll
speak on this subject?

1090
00:58:00,734 --> 00:58:02,864
Mr. Gibbs:
I think he might speak on this.

1091
00:58:02,867 --> 00:58:04,267
I want to go check on that.

1092
00:58:04,266 --> 00:58:06,336
That's why I want to let
you guys go a little early.

1093
00:58:06,333 --> 00:58:08,463
If you guys have
immigration questions,

1094
00:58:08,467 --> 00:58:09,797
I'm happy to come up
there and answer them.

1095
00:58:09,800 --> 00:58:12,930
Again, I would point you also to
what the President said last night.

1096
00:58:12,934 --> 00:58:14,104
The Press:
Robert, one thing.

1097
00:58:14,100 --> 00:58:16,770
What does the investigation
- the investigation,

1098
00:58:16,767 --> 00:58:19,697
could it be natural causes,
could it be operator error,

1099
00:58:19,700 --> 00:58:20,970
could it be sabotage?

1100
00:58:20,967 --> 00:58:23,667
I mean, are you
looking at all those --

1101
00:58:23,667 --> 00:58:26,297
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, again, we don't
know what the cause is,

1102
00:58:26,300 --> 00:58:31,230
so we're looking at --
determining what that cause

1103
00:58:31,233 --> 00:58:37,633
is and obviously
looking at anything.

1104
00:58:37,633 --> 00:58:42,033
I don't want to get into the
specifics of some of the things

1105
00:58:42,033 --> 00:58:46,033
you just mentioned, but, again,
we've got to figure out what

1106
00:58:46,033 --> 00:58:48,863
happened, and that's
currently ongoing.

1107
00:58:48,867 --> 00:58:49,697
The Press:
So, let me understand this.

1108
00:58:49,700 --> 00:58:51,200
When you say we're
looking at anything,

1109
00:58:51,200 --> 00:58:53,070
is sabotage a possibility?

1110
00:58:53,066 --> 00:58:54,096
Mr. Gibbs:
April, let's not --

1111
00:58:54,100 --> 00:58:56,370
The Press:
No, no, no, I asked you
that -- you said all three.

1112
00:58:56,367 --> 00:58:57,867
I want to be clear on this.

1113
00:58:57,867 --> 00:59:02,097
Mr. Gibbs:
Well, let me -- I do
not want to get into the

1114
00:59:02,100 --> 00:59:05,230
delineation of what might have
caused something we don't know

1115
00:59:05,233 --> 00:59:06,833
what happened.

1116
00:59:06,834 --> 00:59:10,934
Let's determine, before we get
off on to conspiracy theories,

1117
00:59:10,934 --> 00:59:12,664
let's determine what happened.

1118
00:59:12,667 --> 00:59:14,067
And we'll have a chance
to talk about it.

1119
00:59:14,066 --> 00:59:15,666
The Press:
Do you think that the
President is going to be

1120
00:59:15,667 --> 00:59:18,337
speaking -- making some remarks at
the top of the Teacher of the Year?

1121
00:59:18,333 --> 00:59:19,463
Mr. Gibbs:
That's what I'm
going to go check on.

1122
00:59:19,467 --> 00:59:20,267
Thank you, guys.