By Chloe Rockow

In August 2005, Americans were reeling from the worst environmental catastrophe in recent memory, and begging for help. The state and local governments were overwhelmed and unprepared for the magnitude of what had to be done. Historic New Orleans was devastated as many pointed the finger of blame at President Bush, calling his response slow and inefficient. Five years later, the country seems to be suffering from a case of déjà vu. An environmental disaster, compounded with mismanagement at the federal level, is crippling the Gulf coast and leaving many Americans wondering who to blame.

The BP oil spill began as an opportunity for President Obama to demonstrate his administration’s superiority over the “disastrous” policymakers of the Bush era. But the oil spill quickly became another example of the federal government’s inefficiency and ineptitude. Decisions made by President Obama concerning clean-up, recovery, and even his own attention to the area are completely contradictory to Louisiana’s best interests.

Immediately after the April 20th explosion and resulting oil spill, the United States government received several offers of clean-up assistance from other countries. A spokesman from the Dutch embassy, Floris Van Hovell, said in an interview with Voice of America that his country stood ready and waiting to aid the United States. But an antiquated law from the protectionist era prohibits foreign ships and crews from working in American waters. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, was designed to protect American maritime industry. Yet, as the crisis in Louisiana worsened, President Obama allowed the destruction to continue by not issuing a waiver of the act.

Waivers of the Jones Act are not uncommon. In 2006, a private company was granted a waiver of the Jones Act for shipping purposes. Despite accusations of not giving enough support to the Gulf, President Bush issued a waiver of the Jones Act after Hurricane Katrina, calling upon American allies in a time of need. However, President Obama saw no need to cry for help, preferring to wait until American ships and crews were ready to tackle the situation.

Obama’s hesitance to waive the act may have been due to his relationship with labor unions. Rather than use the advanced equipment possessed by other countries, Obama encouraged American crews to take the lead on cleanup. He seemed to disregard the fact that these crews would need weeks of training before they could begin cleanup. Skimmers in the Persian Gulf built especially for these disasters sit idle as Obama’s unions operate less capable equipment.

Ironically, Obama’s environmental policy may also be to blame for his failure to call upon foreign aid. Some Dutch vessels, for example, suck up oily water, extract most of the oil, then return the water to the ocean, nearly oil-free. However, the EPA and U.S. regulators claim that this water is not clean enough: in order to be returned to the Gulf of Mexico, water must be 99.9985% pure. It is perhaps on the basis of this absurd standard that President Obama has refused to waive the Jones Act, despite the wishes of his constituents.

In spite of this federal blunder, a full economic recovery for both Louisiana and its oil industry could have been possible. But President Obama’s obsession with advancing his environmental policy, no matter the costs, has made growth improbable. After the spill, Obama passed an offshore drilling moratorium, to the pleasure of environmentalists and concerned Americans. Among those opposing the moratorium, however, was the surprising coalition of shrimpers and fishers. These workers recognize the necessity of drilling to Louisiana’s coastline, and described the close relationship between the oil and seafood industries. 60% of polled individuals from the affected counties opposed Obama’s moratorium, and three quarters said that drilling should return at its original level.

The moratorium, though repealed, is still in de facto effect as uncertainty remains about the oil industry’s future. As drilling rigs evacuate the Gulf Coast for friendlier waters, Louisianans feel certain that this will cripple their economy. Before the spill, a proposed bill would ensure that royalties from offshore drilling went to aid Louisiana infrastructure and coastal restoration. However, with the future of offshore drilling uncertain, the money Louisiana needs to protect its coast against future accidents may be nowhere to be found.

Slowly but surely, the finger of blame is turning to President Obama for his mishandling of this disastrous oil spill. His refusal to immediately begin clean-up and his continued pressure to halt offshore drilling are destined to turn an environmental disaster into an economic catastrophe.