A solution for the Gulf Problem

[Aleric]

I've been hearing people suggest that government needs to step in and fix the well. I don't believe the government has the right expertise for that but here is how the government could solve the problem;

1) Sieze the well in an act of eminent domain or whatever legal device will do the trick.

2) Invite all other parties to attempt to plug the well. The one who comes up with a working solution (i.e. the one who actually plugs the well) first gets ownership to the well.

3) Facilitate the process to ensure that best ideas go first, competing attempts don't interfere with each other and to prevent attempts that will make it worse.

I am sick of hearing "The next attempt will be in X days."

[time_has_come]

1. Interesting suggestions...but how can we know a solution is a "working solution" until it's tried?

And succeeded?

[Aleric]

2. A working solution

You don't. A "Working solution" is one that works. i.e. The one who actually plugs the well, wins. ( I edited the OP for clarity).

[time_has_come]

5. Ok, thanks. Hate to play devils advocate with you....but...

...how is it decided who gets to try first?

and are you saying that ownership of the well means that company/agency would then get to pump oil from it in future? If we offer that plum, then won't it discourage a permanent working solution in favour of one that allows them to gain access to the well pipe down the road?

[Aleric]

6. play away...

A *small* committee of experts would have to be designated to evaluate and guess at most likely solutions based on the integrity of the idea, the risk and the readiness of the proponent to actually execute the plan. (Small to allow fast operation).

I'm not entirely certain what you mean by your second question but basically, I'm willing to allow that the well will be opened for production later - perhaps even sold back to BP for the sake of stopping the oil NOW. Yes, its a short term solution. Yes, it would be better to pursue renewable energy. Yes, it might fall short on punishing or preventing accidents in the future but right now all I care about is stopping the flow and saving the gulf ecosystem. We could have argued long vs short term 30, even 15 days ago but now it's just too late. We are in the middle of it and need to act as fast as possible to stop that flow.

[OHdem10]

3. Good for you, and besides that it sounds downright capitalistic

This should please all comers.

[Aleric]

7. Apparently, not even close

... it would be nice to get some more constructive criticism about it, too.

[damntexdem]

4. Instead of "the next attempt will be in X days," a realistic statement would be:

"The next real attempt will be realized in about 90 days" (relief well), "but there's a very-strong chance that it won't work."

[TransitJohn]

8. The government could revoke their lease right now. n/t

n/t