Following criticism that it is withholding data and blocking efforts of scientists to understand the scope of the gulf oil spill, the beleaguered oil company BP has agreed to post on a congressional website a live video feed of the oil gusher.

The Spillcam can be viewed on the website of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Update: There may be some technical difficulties with Spillcam, so be patient while watching the feed. –JCL

The Guardian:

One month after the fiery collapse of the Deepwater Horizon, BP bowed to demands from scientists and members of Congress this week and has posted a live video feed of the gusher of oil on the ocean floor.

The decision came only hours after a hearing in Congress in which BP was accused of withholding data from the ocean floor, and blocking efforts by independent scientists to come up with estimates for the amount of crude spewing into the Gulf each day.

Ed Markey, who presided over the hearing, said BP would post the footage on the website of his house subcommittee on energy independence and global warming as early as Wednesday night. It was delayed but is now live.

Read more

Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface.  We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig