1.22.13
Oil Spill
Justice Department, BP defend $4 billion Deepwater Horizon criminal plea
agreement
By Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
updated January 19, 2013 at 1:33 AM
BP and the U.S. Justice Department filed a joint statement in federal court
this week defending the plea deal reached to settle criminal charges
stemming from the disastrous 2010 Gulf oil spill, saying the penalties
amount to "severe corporate punishment" that will "deter BP and other
deepwater drillers from permitting such a catastrophe in the future."
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/01/justice_department_bp_defend_4.html
BP Spill Settlement Approval Appealed by Opt-Out Victims
Bloomberg
By Edvard Pettersson - Jan 19, 2013
Thousands of individuals and businesses that sued BP Plc (BP/) over damage
from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill appealed a judge's approval of a
$7.8 billion class-action settlement.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-19/bp-spill-settlement-approval-appealed-by-opt-out-victims.html
Bay closer to seeing RESTORE money
By VALERIE GARMAN / The News Herald
Published: Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 15:49 PM.
PANAMA CITY BEACH — With billions of dollars already flowing and much more
to come from settlements surrounding the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill,
environmental officials are urging a comprehensive approach toward
restoration.
http://www.newsherald.com/news/government/bay-closer-to-seeing-restore-money-1.81654
Rig survivor wants court date before BP deal approved
Monday, January 21, 2013
Houston Chronicle
Amid the emotional outpouring from families of those who died aboard the
Deepwater Horizon is a simple request that U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance
needs to grant before she approves BP's record criminal settlement later
this month.
http://blog.chron.com/lorensteffy/2013/01/rig-survivor-wants-court-date-before-bp-deal-approved/
Scientists gather in New Orleans to discuss effects of BP Deepwater Horizon
oil spill
By Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
updated January 22, 2013 at 6:43 AM
More than 1,000 scientists and public officials gathered in New Orleans on
Monday for the most comprehensive review of scientific information about
the short- and long-term effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon accident and
spill since it occurred in April 2010. The three-day Gulf of Mexico Oil
Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference is aimed at understanding the effects
of pollution resulting from the spill and its effect on natural systems in
the Gulf and along the shoreline, and on the people who live and work
there.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/01/scientists_gather_in_new_orlea.html
State News
Former plant site, area wells tested
Hattiesburg American
HATTIESBURG — Officials have been conducting testing at and near the former
Hercules plant on Seventh Street to determine whether contaminants have
spread into surrounding neighborhoods.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130122/NEWS01/301230001/Former-plant-site-area-wells-tested
FBI investigating Jackson County lot formerly owned by Scott Walker
Sun Herald
By KAREN NELSON — klnelson@sunherald.com
BILOXI -- The FBI appears to be looking into a land transaction in the Gulf
Hills subdivision of west Jackson County involving Bill Walker, the former
head of the Department of Marine Resources; his son, Scott Walker; and the
Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/19/4416621/fbi-investigating-jackson-county.html
DMR spent $3 million on land in Pass Christian that may become dog park
Sun Herald
By MICHAEL NEWSOM — mmnewsom@sunherald.com
A waterfront Pass Christian parcel the Mississippi Department of Marine
Resources used a $3 million federal grant to buy is likely to become a dog
park the city would have to maintain.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/19/4416592/dmr-spent-3-million-on-land-in.html
Time to Recycle
Bolivar Commercial
by Rory Doyle
01.20.13 - 02:10 pm
Cleveland Mayor Billy Nowell (left) and Public Works Director Ray Bell
utilize the newrecycling bins on the north side of the old train depot
building downtown on Friday. "We hope people, young and old, will take part
in the new recycling program," said Nowell. "It's something we've wanted
for a long time and we hope to make it work. Go green!"
http://www.bolivarcom.com/view/full_story/21464582/article-Time-to-Recycle?instance=main_article
Contractor offers dirt; supervisors love gift
by Associated Press
Published: January 21,2013
DESOTO COUNTY — Officials say a dirty gift will save DeSoto County tens of
thousands of dollars.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2013/01/21/contractor-offers-dirt-supervisors-love-gift/
Miss. Supreme Court to hear Kemper arguments Jan. 28
MBJ
January 21st, 2013Clay Chandler
The Mississippi Supreme Court will hear oral argument Jan. 28 related to
the Sierra Club's ongoing legal opposition to Mississippi Power Co.'s
Kemper County coal plant.
http://msbusiness.com/magnoliamarketplace/2013/01/21/miss-supreme-court-to-hear-kemper-arguments-jan-28/?utm_source=WhatCounts
+Publicaster+Edition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MBJ+E-Bulletin+%E2%80%94
+CVB+begins+search+for+new+tourism+director+after
+shakeup&utm_content=MAGNOLIA+MARKETPLACE%3a+Miss.+Supreme+Court+to+hear
+Kemper+arguments+Jan.+28
Turtles made from tires help researchers solve mystery
WLOX
Fake turtles, made with small tractor tires, could help solve a mystery
about hundreds of dead turtles.
http://www.wlox.com/story/20627768/2013/01/18/turtles-made-from-tires-help-researchers-solve-mystery
Businessman Cotton Fore arrested on drug, assault charges in Biloxi
Sun Herald
BILOXI -- Coast businessman Wallace Cecil "Cotton" Fore has been arrested
on a felony cocaine-possession charge and a misdemeanor domestic assault
charge.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/18/4414622/businessman-cotton-fore-arrested.html
National News
New Web app could document land loss
Houma Today
By Nikki Buskey
Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 7:09 p.m.
Technology has connected people all over the globe in ways never
anticipated. Now, a Web app may document the disappearing culture in
Terrebonne Parish communities for the world to see.
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20130117/ARTICLES/130119668/1211/news01?Title=New-Web-app-could-document-land-loss
Environmentalists hail Obama climate change focus
By MATTHEW DALY — Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Environmental groups hailed President Barack Obama's warning
Monday about climate change, but said the president's words will soon be
tested as he decides whether to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline from
Canada to the Gulf Coast.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/22/4419500/environmentalists-hail-obama-climate.html
Big second-term test: Meeting President Obama's climate vows
Politico
By: Erica Martinson
January 21, 2013 08:32 PM EST
President Barack Obama's stirring words in Monday's inaugural address
offered his most soaring pledge in years to make a major assault on climate
change — but that leaves the crucial question: "How?"
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/big-second-term-test-meeting-obamas-climate-vows-86535.html?hp=l10
Climate change featured prominently in Obama's second inaugural address
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 01/21/13 12:24 PM ET
President Obama devoted a significant portion of his second inaugural
speech Monday to climate change, comments that quickly fueled
environmentalists' calls for aggressive second-term actions from a White
House that has not provided a specific agenda.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/278305-obama-we-will-respond-to-the-threat-of-climate-change
After Obama's speech, a hunt for details
The Hill
By Ben Geman and Zack Colman - 01/21/13 06:02 PM ET
State of Play: President Obama thrilled environmentalists with hisprominent
call for action on climate change in Monday's inaugural speech.
But now advocates want specifics on his second-term plans — and plan to
keep pressure on the White House.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/278379-overnight-energy-after-obamas-speech-a-hunt-for-details
Poll shows country split on climate change
The Hill
By Jonathan Easley - 01/22/13 08:49 AM ET
President Obama pledged to push for action on climate change in his
inauguraladdress, but a poll released Tuesday shows the country remains
split over the occurrence and causes of global warming.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/278451-poll-shows-country-split-on-climate-change
Obama officials delay 'fracking' rules
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 01/18/13 04:36 PM ET
The Interior Department is delaying planned rules that would impose new
requirements on the controversial oil-and-gas production method called
hydraulic fracturing.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/278107-interior-pumps-brakes-on-gas-fracking-rule-plans-revision
Regulations on Fracking Are Revised
NY Times
By JOHN BRODER
The Interior Department will issue revised rules on the use of hydraulic
fracturing to drill for oil and gas on public lands, officials said Friday.
The rules will replace a proposal released last May that was opposed by oil
companies and state officials, who said they conflict with regulations in
use on private lands and will add cost to drilling operations.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/us/regulations-on-fracking-are-revised.html?ref=earth&_r=0
W.Va. chicken grower not ready to drop EPA lawsuit, despite withdrawal of
violations, fines
By Associated Press,
— A West Virginia chicken farmer who sued the Environmental Protection
Agency over threatened water-pollution fines isn't ready to stop fighting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/wva-chicken-grower-not-ready-to-drop-epa-lawsuit-despite-withdrawal-of-violations-fines/2013/01/18/30cd1ee0-6181-11e2-8f16-7b37a1341b04_story.html
Utah cities atop EPA's worst-air-quality list
By Kimball Bennion
The Salt Lake Tribune
First Published Jan 21 2013 08:47 am • Updated 8 hours ago
For the second day in a row, haze and poor visibility are expected to earn
two Utah towns the dubious distinction of being first and second on the
list of U.S. cities with the most unhealthy air, according to a ranking
from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55670441-78/utah-degrees-logan-areas.html.csp
Opinion
The second-term climate
Washington Post
By Editorial Board, Published: January 20
PRESIDENT OBAMA hardly mentioned climate change during long stretches of
his first term. As he rebuilds his administration and refines his
second-term agenda, he should give this challenge the priority it deserves.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-second-term-climate/2013/01/20/3d8246a6-61c7-11e2-a389-ee565c81c565_story.html
Press Releases
GOVERNOR BRYANT TO DELIVER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TUESDAY
JACKSON – Gov. Phil Bryant will deliver his second State of the State
Address on Tuesday, Jan. 22 during a joint session of the Legislature in
the House Chamber. Gov. Bryant will highlight current issues facing
Mississippi and outline his priorities for the 2013 Legislative Session.
The Governor's address begins at 5 p.m.
The State of the State address will be broadcast live on Mississippi Public
Broadcasting and online at http://www.mpbonline.org/.
Broadcast Information Below:
Mississippi Public Broadcasting will be providing the pool feed for the
Governor's State of the State address this year. A clean feed of the
primary podium camera, as well as a clean switch mix of their broadcast,
will be available at MPB's production truck. The truck will be located on
the north side of the Capitol, just outside the House Chamber. Both SD-SDI
anamorphic and analog anamorphic signals will be available. Limited HD-SDI
signals are available from the primary camera.
For technical questions about the pool feed, contact
roy.davis@mpbonline.org or 601-906-0433 cell.
Due to limited space, stations other than Mississippi Public Broadcasting
will be allowed in the gallery to obtain B-roll in two minute increments,
subject to the instruction of the House Sergeant at Arms.
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