Kevin Costner Plays Heroic Role in Gulf Disaster

Celebrity philanthropy is certainly nothing new, but Costner’s efforts go beyond bringing publicity and funds to the cause. In his role as the owner of Ocean Therapy Solutions (OTS), based in downtown Santa Barbara, Costner and his business partners Patrick N. Smith and John Houghtaling II, with help from UCLA engineering professor and researcher Eric M.V. Hoek, have provided cutting edge oil-treatment technology for the cleanup efforts. They developed a centrifuge capable of separating oil from water with what they claim is unprecedented efficiency, and it is quickly becoming one of the main tools in the Gulf cleanup effort in the Gulf. According to Smith, British Petroleum bought 32 of the machines in June, and the federal government is providing assistance to Gulf Coast communities that will enable them to buy their own centrifuges.

“This is not a Hollywood ending for me,” Costner recently told the U.S. Senate. “The path to arrive at this moment was steep and formidable. That is why I’ve been called at this moment to testify before this committee to explain why 21st Century technology has sat idly on the shelf for 10 years, when it could have been deployed as a first, most efficient responder to mitigate the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe.”

Although OTS was only conceived immediately following the oil spill, Costner’s involvement with developing this technology has spanned nearly two decades. According to Smith, Costner’s inspiration for developing oil-cleanup technology harkened back to his experience growing up in Ventura County and realizing how defenseless the coast was against the oil rigs.

http://www.independent.com/news/2010/jul/20/kevin-costner-plays-heroic-role-gulf-disaster/

Sean Penn, Harry Connick, Jr., Brad Pitt and so many others of the "celeb" world who are due a huge thanks for all they do. The next time a RW makes a crass statement about celebrities, remember these guys...