It has been several months since the Alaska Native News interviewed mariner, Jim Cobb about his oil spill retrieval patent and proposals. After the conclusion of a series in mid-July on Cobb's efforts bring his technology to the government and to the oil industry, he has continued to reach out to various government and oil entities with minimal response.

Cobb’s research and development of oil spill technology spans decades. He first began working with oil spill remediation as far back as Alaska’s imfamous Exxon Valdez spill in the late 80s, and has continued since that time as he worked to develop and refine techniques that overcome various difficulties unique to Alaska’s environment and the world’s arctic.

The Alaska Native News revisited Jim Cobb knowing that as the series on oil spill response was completed, he was continueing to reach out to various politicians, oil executives, and other entities to further his goal to bring his innovative technology to light.

When asked about various contacts he has made since this past summer, Cobb was quick to point out that the fastest and most positive response came from Alaska’s own Senator, Lisa Murkowski. “Her office replied to my email the very same day and informed me that my information had been shown to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee,” Cobb stated. “I felt as if someone that had the ability to help me pursue my goals had finally heard what I had to say on oil spill technology.”

Cobb related that even though he had attempted to reach Alaska’s Junior Senator, Mark Begich, Begich had not replied to his attempt. Cobb also reached out to Washington’s Senator Maria Cantwell with the same results. “I understand why Senator Cantwell did not respond, as I am not a constituent in her state, I didn’t think that the time would be found for me, but I had certainly hoped to have a conversation with Senator Begich.”

“I have also received emails from various people around the globe, people that have seen first hand the environmental devastation that oil spills bring to their area, I received emails from individuals that experienced the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, the Timor Sea Oil Spill, and people that saw the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, all have encouraged me to continue my efforts, I felt encouraged by their messages.” Jim said.

When asked if he had considered attending the oil industry’s Arctic Drilling Safety Preparedness and Response gathering in August, Mr. Cobb replied, “I felt a sense of progress when I received an invitation to the ‘Arctic Drilling Safety Preparedness and Response’ gathering. But, unfortunately, the admission cost of $2,400 coupled with the fact that many of those slated for attendance and meeting at the event were the very same people that seemingly hindered and obstructed my efforts for decades influenced my decision to decline attending the event.”

When asked if he would be attending the Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland, where Senator Murkowski is slated to be a plenary speaker, Senator Begich will appear via video, and Fran Ulmer as well as Alaska’s Lt Governor Meade Treadwel will attend, Mr Cobb responded, “I had also considered attending the Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland, that is slated for October 12 through 14,” Mr. Cobb continued, “but my declining health has diminished my ability to undertake such long trip by air, but I certainly wish that I were able to attend that global event.”

Besides lawmakers, Mr Cobb has contacted others in the oil industry as well as other entities since this summer. He has agreed to sit down with ANN and discuss some of the implications of those contacts discussing his innovative approach to oil spill remediation in another interview later this month.

Always willing to discuss the subject of oil spills and cleanup, Jim Cobb can be contacted by email here.