$16,125,000,000.

[Me.]

The EPA can fine BP up to $4300. per barrel. Froomkin says the real number of barrels is between 50,000 and 100,00 barrels a day. Splitting the difference the fine imposed should be $16 billion and counting.

“But judging from the new video, it seems clear that the daily flow is probably more in the neighborhood of 50,000 to 100,000 barrels -- or 2 million to 4 million gallons.

That's about one Exxon Valdez every two and a half to five days. And we're on day 50.

Julie Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the Interior Department, said on Tuesday that the department doesn't have any new official estimates to make public yet. She noted that some increase in the numbers could be due to the riser cut. "Based on the information that we've been receiving, yeah, there is a difference between the two," she said.”…cont….

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/08/gulf-oil-spill-federal-estimate_n_605095.html

[DrDan]

1. we'll just "move forward" . . .

prosecution for past crimes is not a priority of this administration . . .

[TK421]

2. and that is growing by the day, so this is a gross underestimate right there

they don't have an end in sight, so....

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. "She noted that some increase in the numbers could be due to the riser cut"

So they get a pass?

Simple test, Ms. Rodriguez - how much oil left the 4 mile deep hole in the earth and spewed into the water?

Take that number and multiply it by $4300bbl.

No other data is needed at that point.

Draw up an invoice and mail it.

Problem solved.

[Me.]

8. !

[hedgehog]

4. Well, that's one way to cut the deficit. It's either that, or set

up a speed trap on I-95.

[Me.]

6. It Would Certainly Go A Long Way

In helping those who have lost their livelihoods and towards restoration of the beaches and wildlife

[jp11]

5. Well BP said the increase would be about 20% so we could take the final amount be it 100000 or

75000, whatever and calculate what 20% added to that, then subtract the 20% and what's left is what has been leaking for 50 days.

[Walk away]

7. The crooks in our government who sold us out to BP have already gotten paid for it...

The crooks at BP who made the decisions that resulted in this tragedy are busy hiding their multi millions. In the end it will be people just like us who will suffer the loss.

Today I was listening to a British economist who thought that the complete downfall of BP would be like our auto industry failing. It would be bad but compared to what is going on with the banks it won't bring the entire market down. I started to think about who would pay in the end. Would the average investor or middle manager have changed anything if they knew what could and did happen in the Gulf?

We know who has to pay...BP and that is right. But who is morally at fault for this? Who allowed oil companies to drill in deep water unsafely? How many of the folks being effected by the spill are still in favor of off shore drilling because their livelihood directly or indirectly depend on it?