US says oil industry can ignore protecting animals in the Gulf

[Jane]

More terrible environmental policy from our federal government.



U.S. exempts oil industry from protecting Gulf animals, for 'national security'
NPR | By Chiara Eisner

A committee of Trump administration officials voted unanimously on Tuesday to exempt the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico from requirements of the Endangered Species Act, a move that would lift protections for endangered whales, turtles and other animals threatened with extinction.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth triggered the vote two weeks ago by asking Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to call it "for reasons of national security," and was present at the meeting.

US could exempt oil industry from protecting Gulf animals, for 'national security'

The "God Squad" voted unanimously to remove protections for Gulf animals, for "security." It's not the first time federal agencies cited the "energy emergency" to avoid rules meant to protect animals.

www.ideastream.org

 

[conch]

This is very BAD news!!

I just recently learned that we have our very own “local” whale who resides mainly in the “Gulf of Mexico” right off our coast.

It is called the “RICE”S whale and it does not migrate like other whale species.

Instead it just hangs around doing VERY deep dives trying to find food.

At present, scientist estimate there are only about 50 of these whales left, and their numbers are in decline.

It seems they like to hang out on the surface at night, and are apt to get “runned over” by ships.

So with this new edict, it looks even more dire for these gentle giants.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice%27s_whale

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/only-50-of-these-whales-are-left-in-existence-trump-s-god-squad-just-chose-oil-drilling-over-protecting-them/ar-AA1ZQ2Pi

https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/riceswhale/

https://healthygulf.org/campaigns/rices-whale/

 

[Jim Tucker]

Very disappointing. There was a time when our government was taking steps to protecting us and our land and all of it is being stripped away ... it's a government that cares more for profit than people. IMO the opposite of what good government should be.