http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100617/ARTICLE/6171090/2416?tc=ar


BP decided on Wednesday to give $25 million to Gulf Coast researchers for oil spill studies, a fraction of the $500 million promised a month ago.

The money -- a quarter of what scientists requested in Florida alone -- falls far short of what experts say they need now to study the effects of the oil that has been blasting into the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of more than 2 million gallons a day since April 20.

BP, the company responsible for the spill, has no plans to release more money soon.

Instead, over the next 10 years, the remaining $475 million will be funneled through a panel of six scientists appointed by BP, none of whom reside in the Gulf Coast region.

Universities and research institutes from Texas to Florida have deployed sensing equipment, research ships and much of their staff -- oceanographers, chemists and marine biologists -- to the oil spill.

Of the $25 million BP decided to give Wednesday, Florida scientists will receive $10 million. That amount barely allows scientists to continue emergency research that was patched together by diverting resources from other projects.

The Florida Institute of Oceanography, a coalition of 20 research groups, with backing from Gov. Charlie Crist and congressional leaders, asked BP two weeks ago for $100 million.

They need the money to pay for new sensing equipment to help track the spill, more lab gear to analyze water, sediments and animal and plant tissues and to hire more staff. They also wanted to take more research trips at sea, which could employ fishermen grounded by the spill.

The research would help improve oil forecasts in the short term. And it would lay the foundation for studying the effects of the oil and dispersants on the food chain and the health of communities over the long term..