Markey: BP Delivers 12-Camera Feed

BP Follows Markey Request to Provide More Footage, With Pipe Cut Scientists Can Assess Change in Flow Rate

June 3, 2010 - As BP attempts today to place the "top cap" containment dome on their oil spill source 5,000 below the Gulf of Mexico, the company finally relented to calls from Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and is now providing the live video feeds from all twelve possible rovers operating below the surface.

"These dozen views of the spill will finally provide the American public and independent observers the unfettered access needed to assess both the progress and destruction happening a mile below the Gulf," said Representative Markey, who 1st called and put up a live feed of the spill on Thursday, May 20th. "The release of the Spillcam brought the urgency of this disaster into homes across the United States, and this new level of transparency will allow for robust, real-time information to the world."

Now that the pipe at the top of the blowout preventer has been cut, this video is more important than ever. Scientists can now use it to reassess the change in flow rate, and better determine the true size and scope of this disaster.

The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, which Representative Markey chairs, has been providing a streaming feed of the twelve possible cameras to television networks for the last week to enhance transparency of the operations. These new twelve Internet feeds will now be accessible on the Select Committee website and on BP's website.

On Monday, Chairman Markey sent a letter to BP America CEO Lamar McKay reiterating his request for the twelve camera feeds. Representative Markey cited the lag time in information given to the public during the failed "top kill" attempt to seal the still-spilling BP oil well, and some discrepancies in camera angles and availability during those operations, as reasons to provide the twelve camera feed for future operations. This followed several other calls from Representative Markey to provide all twelve feeds.