1.23.13
Oil Spill
The Science of the BP Oil Spill
WKRG
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Research, three years in the making is being
discussed and dissected in New Orleans as thousands of researchers talk
about the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2013/jan/22/t-ar-5423134/
Escambia Commissioner Grover Robinson will lead RESTORE Act group
Pensacola News Journal
Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson on Friday was elected chairman
of the state group that will dole out a chunk of anticipated BP fine money
to counties across Florida's coast.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20130123/NEWS10/301230020/Escambia-Commissioner-Grover-Robinson-will-lead-RESTORE-Act-group
Lawyer seeks to extend filing deadline for BP Gulf oil spill seafood
settlement
By Richard Thompson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
updated January 22, 2013 at 7:17 PM
A Texas lawyer has filed a motion asking the federal judge overseeing the
massive BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill litigation to extend the deadline for
commercial fishing vessel owners and others to join a $2.3 billion
settlement to cover seafood-related claims.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/01/lawyer_seeks_to_extend_filing.html
BP claims chief says $332M being paid in Florida
By BILL KACZOR, Associated Press
Updated 3:28 pm, Tuesday, January 22, 2013
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The administrator of a class-action settlement
between petroleum giant BP and oil spill claimants said Tuesday that more
than 34,000 Florida businesses and individuals so far have been approved to
receive $332 million.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/BP-claims-chief-says-332M-being-paid-in-Florida-4214783.php
State News
Education, job creation priorities in Gov. Phil Bryant's State of the State
address (updated)
By The Associated Press
updated January 22, 2013 at 6:50 PM
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said in his State of
the State speech Tuesday evening that citizens expect "bold action" from
elected officials in 2013, with an emphasis on strengthening education and
promoting job creation.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/01/education_job_creation_priorit.html#incart_river
Bryant: 'Bold Action' Need in Mississippi
MPB
Governor Phil Bryant is calling on Mississippi lawmakers to take 'bold
action' for the state. Bryant is laying out his vision for the current
legislative session during his state of the state address. MPB's Jeffrey
Hess reports the speech was widely accepted by Republicans but fell flat
with many Democratic lawmakers.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/bryant_bold_action_need_in_mississippi
Jackson County joins Hancock in opposing Louisiana's storm plan
Sun Herald
By CHRISTINA STEUBE — csteube@sunherald.com
The Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to support Hancock
County with a letter opposing Louisiana's storm-surge protection study.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/22/4422033/jackson-county-joins-hancock-in.html
National News
Tom Udall's name added to the mix for Interior post
Washington Post
By Emily Heil
So much for a short list. Add another name to the possible candidates for
Interior secretary, a post that will be vacant when Ken Salazar departs the
agency in March: Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/post/tom-udalls-name-added-to-the-mix-for-interior-post/2013/01/22/85e608a2-64af-11e2-b84d-21c7b65985ee_blog.html#pagebreak
Supreme Court won't hear challenge to EPA rulemaking on sulfur dioxide
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court won't hear a challenge to a tough new clean
air requirement limiting sulfur dioxide emissions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/supreme-court-wont-hear-challenge-to-epa-rulemaking-on-sulfur-dioxide/2013/01/22/03610256-64aa-11e2-889b-f23c246aa446_story.html
Supreme Court won't hear challenge to EPA pollution rule
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 01/22/13 12:12 PM ET
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a major copper company's plea to
review an Environmental Protection Agency air pollution rule that set
standards for sulfur dioxide, a pollutant tied to several respiratory
ailments.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/278517-supreme-court-wont-hear-challenge-to-epa-pollution-rule
White House starts review of revised gas 'fracking' rule
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 01/23/13 08:53 AM ET
The Interior Department on Tuesday sent the White House a new draft of
rules to govern oil-and-gas "fracking" on federal and Indian lands.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/278735-white-house-starts-review-of-revised-gas-fracking-rule
In inaugural address, Obama makes a moral case for action on climate change
Washington Post
By Juliet Eilperin
President Obama had mentioned climate change in prominent speeches before
Monday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-makes-a-moral-case-for-action-on-climate-change/2013/01/22/1d33ea98-64cf-11e2-9e1b-07db1d2ccd5b_story.html
Liberal Dem: EPA should flex its powers on climate change
The Hill
By Ben Goad - 01/22/13 03:48 PM ET
Proponents of efforts to counter the effects of climate change are
signaling a shift in their strategy, opting to abandon another run at
comprehensive legislation in favor of a renewed push to tackle the issue
through federal regulations.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energyenvironment/278601-boxer-epa-should-flex-regulatory-muscle-on-climate-change-regs
Boxer targets energy efficiency for climate strategy
Politico
By: Darren Goode
January 23, 2013 04:38 AM EST
Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer is moving
bills to improve building energy efficiency as one means of mitigating
climate change.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/boxer-targets-energy-efficiency-for-climate-strategy-86586.html?hp=r6
Bipartisan support moves hydropower bill
The Hill
By Zack Colman - 01/22/13 12:29 PM ET
The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed a bill Tuesday that would
speed up the permitting process for a slate of hydropower projects.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/278529-house-energy-committee-passes-hydropower-bill
Westlands Water District's $1 billion claim against U.S. rejected
By Michael Doyle — McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — A federal court has quietly dismissed a $1 billion claim by
the well-known Westlands Water District, leaving unresolved the
long-standing problem of coping with irrigation drainage in California's
San Joaquin Valley.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/22/4421439/westlands-water-districts-1-billion.html
Press Releases
Jobs, Economic Prosperity, Education and Responsible Budgeting Dominate
Gov. Bryant's Second State of the State Address
Speech Includes Announcement of New Ashley Furniture Facility in Verona
JACKSON – Gov. Phil Bryant's second State of the State Address outlined a
number of goals, calling for education and health care improvements, job
growth and additional economic development efforts, and the importance of a
responsible budget.
During the annual speech to the Legislature, Gov. Bryant announced that
Ashley Furniture, a major Mississippi employer, will create 60 new jobs
when it locates manufacturing and customer service operations in Verona,
Miss.
"Ashley Furniture is a leading employer in Mississippi and I appreciate
their confidence in our state and workforce," Gov. Bryant said.
The governor reported during his address that the past year was a good one
for Mississippi.
"I have said many times that I believe the 2012 legislative session will be
known as the most business-friendly session in modern history. Already by
working together with the Mississippi Development Authority, we have
announced nearly 2,700 new jobs and a private sector investment totaling
more than a half-billion dollars. Now as we look to the new year, we will
be just as aggressive."
Gov. Bryant stressed the importance of a successful public education system
to Mississippi's economic development efforts, saying, "There is one
definitive way we can make sure that our workforce will remain competitive:
we must improve our public education system."
Gov. Bryant's "Education Works" agenda addresses some of Mississippi's most
pressing public education needs.
"My education agenda was created in collaboration with education leaders,
teachers and researchers. It sets a clear path to success and will
invigorate our public education system so our children graduate high school
ready to make the most of the opportunities that follow," Gov. Bryant said.
Five key areas of "Education Works" include:
· Improving literacy skills and ending status-quo social promotion
policies;
· Developing and rewarding teacher quality;
· Continuing early childhood education efforts;
· Increasing school choice; and
· Improving college and career readiness.
Gov. Bryant's plan includes third- and seventh-grade promotion policies
that require students to be proficient in reading and math. Bryant's agenda
also focuses on attracting top Mississippi students to teaching positions
and rewarding high-performing teachers with salary increases. He also
proposed increasing entrance standards for teaching programs and offering
scholarships to top high school and college students who want to pursue a
career in education.
Gov. Bryant believes parents deserve the right to seek better opportunities
for their children, and his proposals put value on school choice.
"Not only should we endeavor to pass a workable public charter school bill
to give our children one more opportunity to succeed, we must also give
parents the option to request their child be transferred to another school
through the implementation of statewide open enrollment policies. My agenda
further empowers parents by designating privately funded opportunity
scholarships for low-income families in D and F schools. Parents can use
these programs to send their child to a school that better meets their
needs."
As part of his focus on strengthening Mississippi's health and its economy
through developing the state's medical industry, Gov. Bryant announced the
formation of the Mississippi Health Care Solutions Institute. The governor
named Dr. Clay Hays, a respected cardiologist and former chairman of the
Greater Jackson Area Chamber, as the Institute's first chair.
"This Institute will serve as a chamber of commerce for health care,
bringing our medical industry together and supporting health care as an
economic driver in our state," Gov. Bryant said.
Gov. Bryant further discussed the importance of a responsible budget,
calling for the Legislature to again follow the advice of his Executive
Budget Recommendation and spend no more than 98 percent of General Fund
revenues.
He also urged lawmakers to follow his funding recommendations for critical
government functions like public safety and economic development when
crafting the state's budget this legislative session.
"I served as lieutenant governor during the beginning of the financial
crisis and had to make tough choices to cut more than $100 million from
state government. However, public safety and economic development are
essential functions of our government, and they should be treated as such."
Bryant also urged lawmakers to strengthen Mississippi's business climate by
stabilizing tax policies for small job creators.
"Each June, certain small employers in this state are required to pre-pay a
portion of their taxes," Gov. Bryant said. "Known as the
delayed-accelerated tax payment, this move puts a large burden on our
state's job creators. My budget proposes relief for small employers, and I
urge the Legislature to support it."
Gov. Bryant concluded his remarks by pledging to work with lawmakers to
create good policy for Mississippi.
"Work in good faith with me on items both easy and hard, and I will pledge
to you to do the same."
