Chancellor gives keynote on Oil Spill Commission findings

Chancellor Fran Ulmer told a gathering of more than 500 scientists from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest that the Gulf oil spill was preventable and urges both government and industry to increase risk assessment and safety systems as the United States moves forward with future oil and gas development.

Delivering a keynote speech at the 10th Annual Alaska Marine Science Symposium in Anchorage on Wednesday, Jan. 19, Ulmer reviewed the findings of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling Commission. Ulmer, along with six others, was appointed to the commission by President Obama to determine the root causes of the spill and develop recommendations to reduce the risk of spills in the future. Last week, after a six-month, detailed investigation, the commission personally delivered its report to President Obama at the White House.

Recommendations cover a variety of areas, including: improving the safety of offshore operations, safeguarding the environment, strengthening spill response, planning and capacity, advancing well containment capability, restoring the Gulf of Mexico, ensuring financial responsibility and anticipating the challenges of frontier areas and the Arctic.

Ulmer thanked those in the audience who had offered advice to the commission and contributed their expertise in the investigation of the Gulf oil spill.

There are many challenges associated with oil and gas development in the Arctic that need to be addressed proactively. According to the commission, one of the best ways to address them is to work with other Arctic nations to develop shared research, best practices, technology, standards and safety systems which are effective in Arctic conditions.

Ulmer said that Louisianans and Alaskans have much in common: a reliance on the oil and gas industry, fishing, tourism, regional culture and dependence on the local environment and the food it produces for families. The Gulf oil spill was a tragedy; recovery will take many years. She said that the commission recommended more local citizen oversight, and the creation of regional citizens' advisory councils, like those established in Alaska.

After delivering their report to the President, commissioners traveled to Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi to share their findings with those most directly affected.

Chancellor Ulmer's full speech will be broadcast on KSKA 91.1FM at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20. It will also be available on the Chancellor's website.

For key findings of the Commission, and to view the full report, go to: http://www.oilspillcommission.gov/.