Aaron Viles

If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you know that a year after the start of the BP drilling disaster, BP’s oil is still in our marsh, still affecting our coast and our communities. You’ve likely seen our photos of the impacts and the inadequate clean up and containment response, maybe watched a video, […]

Louisiana shrimpers headed to Baton Rouge to raise hell about problems plaguing their communities and industry.Two issues recieved the brunt of their anger:1) a massive drop in the price of shrimp2) NOAA and some environmental groups blaming the shrimp fleet for a spike in sea turtle strandings.On the first issue we stand firmly with the

It starts with a little queasiness as the early storm predictions roll in, then a tinge of distracted apprehension when the Corps of Engineers give their update on the state of the ‘risk reduction system.’ Tax-free shopping for supplies on Memorial Day dries out my mouth a bit, but June 1st is when I really

Yesterday the Senate Finance Committee hosted the CEOs of the 5 largest oil companies to answer a few questions about the need for continued subsidies and tax breaks in the face of $100+ per barrel oil prices and subsequent high gas prices.By all accounts it was quite a show, with Conoco’s CEO refusing to apologize

On April 20, around the Gulf and the nation, people gathered, rallied, discussed, mourned, and called for action to commemorate the one-year mark of BP’s oil drilling disaster that continues to plague the people and places of the Gulf of Mexico.In New Orleans, the day began with a sunrise candlelight vigil hosted by the Sierra

The nation’s attention has drifted back to the Gulf for a moment, prompted to remember the disaster that the Chilean miner drama knocked from the headlines.Why? because it’s been 365 days since the Deepwater Horizon exploded, ending the lives of 11 men and changing the Gulf of Mexico forever. Our nation, our media is drawn

Yesterday morning, Cherri Foytlin, Drew Landry, and the team from Project Gulf Impact walked across the Potomac River, finishing Cherri’s 1,234 mile trek to our nation’s Capitol. At about the same time, Louisiana fishermen Byron Encalade and Mike Roberts and activists Tracy Kuhns and Bryan Parras were denied entry into BP’s annual shareholder meeting, after

JUST IN: Congress drops assault on EPA, passes legislation to learn lessons of BP disaster and fund Gulf restorationWouldn’t that be nice? Unfortunately, April fools dreaming aside, we’re still stuck where we are, with hostile members of Congress brushing aside the reasoned recommendations of the oil spill commission in favor of gung-ho oil industry boosterism,

If you’ve been paying attention to our blog, or the news, you know there’s more oil spewing into the Gulf and affecting parts of the coast, but the origins seem to remain a mystery.When GRN flew over the slicks (yes, with an “s”) earlier this week, the lack of response activity was striking. Despite this

While GRN was working late into the night with 49 other organizations to help develop an action plan for a healthy Gulf, House Republicans, the oil industry and their unquestioning supporters were up in DC, lobbing bombs at our beleagered basin.In both the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Committee on Natural