2/22/13
Oil Spill
BP Oil Disaster Trial Looms
MPB
Conservation groups are urging the U.S. Justice Department to stand its
ground when it comes to any possible settlement agreement with oil giant
BP. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how those representing Mississippi and
the four other Gulf coast states are calling for the toughest of penalties.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/bp_oil_disaster_trial_looms
BP, federal prosecutors ready for battle in New Orleans
By George Talbot | gtalbot@al.com
updated February 22, 2013 at 3:28 AM
"We're ready to try the case." Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange
The trial of the century will open Monday in a New Orleans courtroom, when
BP faces billions of dollars in civil claims resulting from the 2010 oil
spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/02/bp_federal_prosecutors_ready_f.html#incart_river
Federal judge rules some parts of BP criminal guilty plea, indictments of
BP workers, can't be used in civil trial
By Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
updated February 21, 2013 at 10:42 PM
Four days before a civil trial over BP's liability for the Macondo oil
spill and the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, a federal
judge has partially granted BP's request to exclude from the trial some
information submitted to another judge supporting its guilty plea and $4
billion fine relating to violation environmental laws resulting from the
accident and spill.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/02/federal_judge_rules_some_parts.html
Environmental groups, businesses send Gov. Bobby Jindal letter about oil
spill fine spending
By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
updated February 21, 2013 at 4:24 PM
More than 120 Gulf of Mexico environmental groups and business owners, many
from Louisiana, signed letters sent to Gov. Bobby Jindal and the four other
Gulf state governors this week emphasizing how 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon
oil spill fine dollars could drive private sector job growth.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/02/urging_certain_bp_deepwater_ho.html
State News
DMR targets removal of derelict crab traps
WLOX
The DMR and its volunteers are targeting derelict crab traps this week.
This marks the 15th year the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has
removed the unclaimed traps from Mississippi waters. The derelict traps can
quickly become eyesores and boating hazards.
http://www.wlox.com/story/21301488/dmr-targets-removal-of-derelict-crab-traps
Severstal to invest millions in Columbus plant
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, MISS. — Severstal has announced it will invest $1.3 billion in
its steel and mining operations worldwide with $43 million set aside for
its rolled steel mill in Columbus, Miss.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/22/4483453/severstal-to-invest-millions-in.html
DMR's Guice issues order for marine patrol to stop issuing tickets on land
Sun Herald
By KAREN NELSON — klnelson@sunherald.com
BILOXI -- Danny Guice, the interim director of the state Department of
Marine Resources, has issued a directive to his marine patrol officers to
stop making traffic stops on land, with few exceptions.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/21/4483277/dmrs-guice-issues-order-for-marine.html
Day in the Life, "Energy Farmers"
WCBI
STARKVILLE, Miss. – (WCBI) When you think of harvesting, you may think of
fields filled with fruits, or vegetables. Three professors at Mississippi
State University are changing the face of farming. After six months of
construction and planning, this engineering dream team figured out a way to
harvest energy. While windmills are nothing new, they've designed a turbine
with a twist.http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/day-in-the-life-energy-farmers
Energy companies eyeing sites in Natchez area
by Associated Press
Published: February 21,2013
NATCHEZ — Adams County hopes to advertise for bids in April for port
improvement construction related to a biofuels project.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2013/02/21/energy-companies-eyeing-sites-in-natchez-area/
National News
Front-runner to lead EPA vows more action on climate change
The Hill
By Zack Colman - 02/21/13 05:03 PM ET
The front-runner to fill the vacancy atop the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) pledged to push ahead with actions to confront climate change
during a wide-ranging speech Thursday.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/284305-frontrunner-to-lead-epa-vows-more-action-on-climate-change
Rumored Energy pick stirring fears on left
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 02/22/13 05:00 AM ET
President Obama's rumored choice for Energy secretary is giving heartburn
to some in the environmental movement.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/284331-rumored-energy-pick-stirs-fears-on-left
Top oil lobbyist: New climate bill will never reach Senate floor
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 02/21/13 11:05 AM ET
The head of a powerful oil industry trade group predicts the Senate will
shy away from debate on new Democratic legislation that imposes fees on
carbon emissions from coal and petroleum.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/284203-top-oil-lobbyist-new-climate-bill-will-never-reach-senate-floor
Poll: One-third say action on climate 'essential' this year
The Hill
By Zack Colman - 02/21/13 09:32 AM ET
About one-third of people in the United States say action on climate change
is "essential" in 2013, according to a USA TODAY/Pew Research Center poll
released Thursday.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/284167-poll-climate-change-a-priority-but-republicans-democrats-split-on-renewables-emissions
Groups flock to White House to talk 'fracking' rules
The Hill
By Megan R. Wilson - 02/21/13 03:43 PM ET
Environmental advocates and representatives from the oil-and-gas industry
are flocking to the White House following the submission of a draft rule
that would govern the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing on
public lands.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/pending-regs/284283-groups-flock-to-white-house-to-talk-fracking-rules-
Report: Unreliable data could hinder EPA efforts to control pollution from
natural gas boom
By Associated Press,
WASHINGTON — Limited data and unreliable estimates on air pollution from
oil and natural gas production is hindering the Environmental Protection
Agency's efforts to police the drilling boom, the agency's internal
watchdog said in a report released Thursday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/report-unreliable-data-could-hinder-epa-efforts-to-control-pollution-from-natural-gas-boom/2013/02/21/3354b646-7c98-11e2-9073-e9dda4ac6a66_story.html
Fracking Emissions Get Review After EPA Watchdog Report
Bloombertg
By Mark Drajem - Feb 21, 2013
Federal environmental regulators said they will more closely study air
emissions from hydraulic fracturing after the agency's auditor concluded
current information is insufficient to make policy decisions.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-21/fracking-emissions-get-review-after-epa-watchdog-report.html
Illinois 'fracking' proposal sees rare cooperation
By TAMMY WEBBER — Associated Press
CHICAGO — Illinois would have the strictest regulations for high-volume oil
and gas drilling in the nation under a proposal introduced Thursday and
drafted with help from industry and environmentalists - an unusual
collaboration when it comes to a practice intensely scrutinized over claims
it can cause pollution and health problems.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/21/4482905/illinois-fracking-proposal-sees.html
Industry groups appeal high-ethanol fuel case to Supreme Court
The Hill
By Ben Goad - 02/21/13 02:26 PM ET
A coalition of industry groups asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to
reconsider a lower court's finding in favor of the Environmental Protection
Agency's 2011 decision to allow sales of the high-ethanol fuel blend known
as E15.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energyenvironment/284259-industry-groups-appeal-high-ethanol-fuel-case-to-supreme-court-
Senior House Republican calls on Obama to replace 'accommodating' Interior
watchdog
The Hill
By Zack Colman - 02/21/13 12:10 PM ET
House Natural Resources Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) wants President Obama to
replace the acting head of Interior Department's internal watchdog for
being too soft on the White House.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/284223-senior-house-republican-calls-on-obama-to-replace-accommodating-interior-watchdog
EPA denies claim that former director Jackson used NJ email account
By Judson Berger
Published February 21, 2013
FoxNews.com
An Environmental Protection Agency spokeswoman on Thursday denied that
former EPA chief Lisa Jackson used a New Jersey government email account
while she was heading the federal agency, following claims by a Washington
attorney that Jackson may have been trying to use the account to skirt
records requests.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/20/epa-denies-jackson-email/
