Holding Big Oil Accountable Online

Editorial, The Hindu | June 9, 2010

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico “must convince governments everywhere that the economic costs of poor regulation of the oil industry can be staggering.” ++ The “colossal disaster” was the result of U.S. regulators finding themselves in a tight spot. On the one hand, they are supposed to encourage oil production, while on the other hand policing the process. ++ Countries that permit deep sea oil exploration need to joint together and publish an online registry of their safety requirements and the compliance record of the big oil firms.