35 years with a Decade of Dedication to Spill Response Progress

Years ago, I founded the Spill Response Association, followed by this very platform—the Global 21 Newsletter—to give field responders a voice and ensure that their concerns, along with mine, reached the attention of industry leaders and executives. Among the most pressing issues we faced were the alarming loss of talent, field knowledge, and empathy within the industry. It became clear that better protections were urgently needed—for both people and the environment—and that the industry needed to invest in building community spill response teams through education and resource gathering.

These were not easy topics to address. Many were hesitant to acknowledge the eroding connection to practical, on-the-ground expertise—and even those who recognized it often remained silent, fearing repercussions. This decline was accelerating at an alarming rate. Yet, ignoring these challenges was never an option for me, because my love for oil spill response ran deeper than the oil itself or any monetary rewards.

Now, after all these years, others are stepping forward, speaking out, and seeking solutions to the same challenges I have dedicated a decade to addressing. To those who seek these solutions, I say: let’s sit down and discuss. Together, I am confident we can expedite the process to meet the needs and provide effective, efficient responses. This includes safeguarding the health and well-being of responders while delivering the highest level of spill response protection possible

A Decade of Resilience and Innovation

Despite over a decade of resistance, I refused to back down. Through unwavering perseverance and a commitment to real progress, I developed solutions to tackle the very challenges I had been advocating for. With more than two decades of hands-on experience, I had witnessed firsthand the critical gaps that required urgent attention. This marked the beginning of my advocacy—driven by the knowledge that change was not only necessary but possible.

Although not all of the past few years have been spent directly in the field, I continue to work tirelessly, often experiencing the same physical and mental tolls—sometimes working 24-hours or 12-hour days, seven days a week. Whether it’s day or night, rain or wind, my focus remains unwavering on education, resource gathering, and the development of next-generation spill response courses. I am dedicated to building the fastest and most effective response teams for the future, with a strong emphasis on local responders. Through extensive field research and development, that no other in the industrty has done, from being at the botoom to where I am today, there is no in the midlde are noivie knowldege, I have explored the best strategies for utilizing these responders, ensuring we can deploy them in the most efficient and impactful way possible..

While others may turn to artificial intelligence for answers, I can teach you what AI cannot know or do—because my experience and solutions are rooted in three plus decades of hands-on work, real-world challenges, and invaluable lessons learned in the field. This kind of knowledge is something AI cannot replicate. However, I’ve also taken a strong initiative by educating myself to learn how AI can be a valuable tool in this industry. As I continue to evolve, I’m combining AI with real-world experience to assist field responders in ways that many haven’t yet considered—even those who develop the equipment and products themselves. New possibilities are emerging for leveraging AI to enhance response efforts, improve efficiency, and boost safety. I am committed to integrating these advancements to push the industry forward.

In the recent Lafourche Parish oil spill, where oil was leaking from a pipeline into the Bayou Lafourche, the delay in response, containment, and recovery highlighted a critical gap in oil spill management. With the combination of my field knowledge, AI, and drone technology, along with next-generation containment methods, I could have had the situation under control in less than an hour, drastically reducing the environmental impact compared to the six hours it took for large organizations to contain the oil.

For recovery, I would have utilized advanced containment, storage, and recovery systems, enabling me to quickly deploy. The system would have allowed for immediate recovery, significantly reducing the time it took—many hours in this case—to manage the spill without this integrated approach. This method not only saves time but also minimizes long-term environmental and economic damage.

The delay in containment during this spill, coupled with the lack of proactive response, reinforces the need for innovation and more efficient deployment of resources. Had my community response plan, which I have built and worked on for many years, been in place, alongside next-generation equipment and technology, the situation could have been far more controlled. The community and environment could have avoided much of the damage that occurred. This serves as a key example of why next-generation technology and proactive response protocols are critical for the future of spill management.

Preparing for the Challenges Ahead

In recent years, the conversation around oil spill response has intensified, with more voices advocating for change. While this growing awareness is encouraging, action remains painfully slow—or, in some cases, nonexistent. In our industry, however, time is a luxury we simply cannot afford.

With the anticipated surge in drilling activity following the 2025 presidential election, the industry's challenges are becoming even more pronounced: increased drilling, a heightened risk of spills, and an urgent need to adopt next-generation response methods. The old ways are no longer sufficient.

Before the recent election, domestic drilling was less frequent, resulting in fewer spills, and oil imports from overseas were more prevalent. This shift led to a reduced focus on domestic spill response strategies and a gradual erosion of essential field knowledge. However, failing to update response methods and integrate new innovations could soon backfire on the industry.

We are now at a critical juncture, with the explosion of next-generation training and response technologies on the horizon. This is a pivotal moment for the industry to evolve and ensure it is adequately prepared to manage the growing risks ahead.

To meet these growing demands, we must:

• Invest in innovative technologies that enable faster and more effective responses.
• Prioritize community-based response training to ensure readiness at every level.
• Adopt sustainable practices that safeguard both responders and the environment.
• Bring together the wisdom of seasoned responders to teach the next generation, while empowering the new generation to propose fresh ideas. We must meet in the middle, combining experience with innovation to develop a response method that benefits from both.

Additionally, we must invest in leadership training to expedite the transfer of knowledge from those who have lived through the challenges to those who will face them next. We cannot afford to let the next generation figure it out on their own. Without the guidance of seasoned professionals, they would have to reinvent the wheel, and the industry does not have the time to waste. We must honor the pioneers and make their hard-earned wisdom work, not ignore it. Instead, by combining our expertise, we can add spokes to the spill response wheel, strengthening its effectiveness and preparing it for the future.

As Founder and Editor of the Global 21 Newsletter, I am committed to advancing the oil spill response industry through education, innovation, and thought leadership. Through the newsletter, I provide a platform for industry professionals to stay informed, exchange ideas, and advocate for the adoption of next-generation spill response methods. My work is focused on empowering responders, sharing valuable insights, and leading the charge toward a more efficient and sustainable future in spill respons

Stay resilient, stay informed, and stay connected.

Warm regards,

Tucker J Mendoza

Global 21 Newsletter

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