The Coast Guard has decided that BP can try to stop the oil spill using the "top kill" process:
Federal On-Scene Coordinator Rear Admiral Mary Landry, acting on the validation of government scientists and in consultation with the National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen, has granted approval for BP to begin proceeding with their attempt to cap the well using the technique known as the “top kill.”I'm a bit obsessed with this today. Getting updated via Twitter from the the Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center (JIC). No one seems to know if the "top kill" will work.
This expedited step provides the final authorization necessary to begin the procedure.
Ustream has a live cam from user, "Hurricane City," which is tracking the amount of oil gushing into the Gulf with a scroll of the situation in the Gulf, including updates on the animals that are being affected.
NOTE FROM JOHN: Since I wasn't sure what "top kill" was, I looked around and found this:
The top kill will involve pumping heavy drilling mud into the blow-out preventer sitting at the top of the well, underneath a mile of water in a maneuver that BP Plc (NYSE:BP) gives a 70% change of success, at best.
The procedure has never been attempted in water a mile deep. BP has already delayed the attempt from its earlier target date of this past weekend. The procedure could even end up pushing valves further open and worsening the spill.
