By Sara Sciammacco
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-901851.mp3
Washington, DC – As thousands of gallons of oil pour into the Gulf of Mexico, Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander is pushing for measures to help prevent another environmental catastrophe.
During a congressional hearing with top oil executives on the hot seat, Senator Alexander used an analogy to provoke a response from the panel. "If you had open heart surgery would you want your doctor five thousand feet away?" Alexander asked. "No, I wouldn't either I'm wondering even the most skilled physician or most skilled operator would have to be very skilled to be always successful at five thousand feet. Wouldn't there be substantial less risk w ith an incident like this with drilling that was not in such deep water."
An oil executive responded by saying there have been three thousand wells drilled in deep water and the Gulf accident is the first of its kind. Alexander also questioned why oil regulators do not pay closer attention to nuclear ones.
"The number of persons who have died from a nuclear accident at a commercial plant in the United States is zero," Alexander said. "The number of sailors who've died in the nuclear navy based upon a nuclear reactor is zero. Is the regulatory responsibility for oil spread too thin?"
Alexander says the incident should spur congressional action to reduce the country's dependence on oil. He urged his colleagues to support electrifying all cars and trucks.