The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history, occurred in April 2010, killing 11 and igniting a fireball visible from 40 miles away. BP, the company responsible, is now attempting to expand its operations in the Gulf of Mexico with the Kaskida project, a massive new hub for offshore drilling that could access 10 billion barrels of crude oil. Despite the initial proposal being sent back for modifications, BP has resubmitted it, still failing to demonstrate safe operation under high temperatures and pressures. The Trump administration's support for the oil industry, including fast-tracking permitting and weakening technical requirements, raises concerns about the industry's complacency and the public's protection. The author, who was a lead investigator for the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill commission, highlights the industry's risk-taking culture and the regulatory failures that led to the disaster. The proposed Kaskida project is even riskier than Macondo, and BP's proposal shows a lack of improvement in deep-water well capping capabilities. Congress has not addressed the budgetary and structural problems of regulatory agencies, and the Trump administration has been friendly to the industry, prioritizing their interests over public safety and environmental protection.
