At the one year anniversary of the BP oil spill disaster, Jere Beasley appeared on Alabama Public Television's Capitol Journal program to discuss lawsuits filed in relation to the crisis. People throughout the Gulf Coast region, and even farther inland, were negatively impacted when the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform exploded on April 20, 2010, and sank into the Gulf of Mexico two days later. When the rig sank, the well began gushing oil into the Gulf about a mile below the ocean surface. The oil spill and toxic dispersants applied in the days and months afterward had a negative impact on industries including fishing, tourism, real estate and even revenue development for affected communities. Additionally, individuals suffered physical and mental traumas. Mr. Beasley tells the program's hosts that troubles for the people affected are still far from over, as the long-term environmental impacts of the spill remain to be seen.

Recorded: April 22, 2011

Courtesy of: APT

Keywords: Environmental, BP Oil Spill