1.18.13
Oil Spill
Ex-BP Vice President's Trial Over Spill Reset for Sept. 23
Bloomberg
By Allen Johnson Jr. and Phil Milford - Jan 17, 2013
The trial of a former BP Plc (BP/) senior vice president charged with
obstructing federal investigations into the cause of the 2010 Gulf of
Mexico oil spill has been reset for Sept. 23.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-17/ex-bp-vice-president-s-trial-over-spill-reset-for-sept-23-1-.html
BP, U.S. Urge Judge to Accept Plea Over Victims' Protests
Bloomberg
By Laurel Brubaker Calkins and Jef Feeley - Jan 17, 2013
A BP Plc (BP/) unit and federal prosecutors asked a judge to approve a $4
billion guilty plea for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon blast, over objections
from victims that the deal is insufficient punishment for the deaths and
injuries it caused.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2013-01-16/bp-u-s-urge-judge-to-accept-plea-over-victims-protests-1-.html
BP receiving 'significant 7-figure claim' from Baldwin schools for
Deepwater Horizon spill
Press Register
By Rena Havner Philips | rphilips@al.com
updated January 17, 2013 at 8:24 PM
BAY MINETTE, Alabama – The Baldwin County school board voted unanimously
tonight to present a claim to BP asking for an undisclosed amount of money
to make up for tax revenues lost as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon
oil spill.
http://blog.al.com/live/2013/01/bp_receiving_significant_7-fig.html
Tampa to seek $50 million in oil spill damages from BP
Tampa Bay Times
By Richard Danielson
Friday, January 18, 2013
TAMPA — The city of Tampa announced Thursday it is seeking more than $50
million in damages from BP to cover past and future losses to tourism,
business and local tax revenues caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
of 2010.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/tampa-to-seek-50-million-in-oil-spill-damages-from-bp/1271086
State News
Signet Maritime announces $3.6 million expansion in Pascagoula
Sun Herald
PASCAGOULA -- Signet Maritime Corporate announced Tuesday plans for a $3.6
million expansion of its shipbuilding and repair operations at the Port of
Pascagoula, creating 50 additional jobs.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/17/4413096/signet-maritime-announces-36-million.html
Steel research center announced at MSU
The Associated Press
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University and Severstal North America will
locate a 4,000-square-foot Steel Research Center at the Starkville school.
http://djournal.com/view/full_story/21442988/article-Steel-research-center-announced-at-MSU?instance=secondary_stories_left_column
State economy 'growing slightly,' economist tells lawmakers
Clarion Ledger
The state budget could have an extra $80 million if current revenue trends
continue, and already many hands are reaching out for the money.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130118/NEWS010504/301180032/State-revenue-trend-upward
National News
OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Departing EPA chief says 'Be Green'
The Hill
By Ben Geman and Zack Colman - 01/17/13 06:32 PM ET
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson has more to say
before she leaves later this year.
Jackson will speak at EPA headquarters Friday at a summit the agency is
hosting with the group Green for All and Amplify Public Affairs.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/277877-overnight-energy-departing-epa-chief-says-be-green
Will Obama punt again on climate change?
Politico
By: Andrew Restuccia
January 17, 2013 05:08 PM EST
Lofty words alone won't heal the Earth, but climate activists are still
looking to President Barack Obama's inaugural speech on Monday for any sign
that their cause has a place in an increasingly cluttered second-term
agenda.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/greens-hope-for-climate-nod-at-inauguration-86363.html?hp=r10
Watchdog to probe EPA handling of lead smelter risks
USA Today
The Environmental Protection Agency's internal watchdog plans to
investigate the agency's performance in addressing the health risks posed
by lead smelters in the wake of a USA TODAY investigation. The action was
announced this week as part of the Inspector General's action plan for
2013.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/17/epa-inspector-general-probes-agency-performance-on-lead-smelters/1842879/
Opinion
The EPA's Stormy Weather
The agency loses another case, this time over water regulation.
Wall Street Journal (1/17/13)
If Washington gave awards for creative regulatory overreach, the
Environmental Protection Agency would sweep the field. Fortunately, the
courts are getting wise to its nonsense, as shown by a stinging legal
rebuke this month to the agency's novel theory that water is a pollutant.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323596204578244162699645422.html
Press Releases
EPA launches new voluntary program to help reduce harmful soot pollution
Release Date: 01/17/2013
Contact Information: Molly Hooven, Hooven.Molly@epa.gov, 202-564-2313,
202-564-4355
WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a
new voluntary clean air program, 'PM Advance,' to help communities continue
to meet soot pollution standards, improve air quality and protect public
health.
PM Advance focuses on working with communities to develop strategies for
reducing harmful fine particle emissions.
Soot, also known as fine particle pollution (PM2.5), can penetrate deep
into the lungs and has been linked to a wide range of serious health
effects, including premature death, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as
acute bronchitis and aggravated asthma among children.
On December 14, 2012, EPA updated the national air quality standards for PM
2.5 by revising the annual standard to 12 micrograms per cubic meter
(ug/m3). Updated last in 1997, the revised annual standard will have major
economic benefits with comparatively low costs. EPA estimates health
benefits of the revised standard would range from $4 billion to over $9
billion per year.
The PM Advance program is designed to help communities who meet current
standards continue to meet the standards. Early work to reduce fine
particles, such as PM Advance participation, can be incorporated into
required planning. Through the program, participants will commit to taking
specific steps to reduce fine particle pollution, such as putting in place
a school bus retrofit program or an air quality action day program, while
EPA will supply technical advice, outreach information, and other support.
While federal rules are expected to ensure that most areas meet the new
standards, areas can participate in PM Advance to help them remain in
attainment.
More information: http://epa.gov/ozonepmadvance/
