2/5/13
Oil Spill
State claims a wild card in BP civil deal on Macondo oil spill
Published February 04, 2013
Reuters
advertisement
It is a question that has lawyers and many others on the U.S. Gulf coast
buzzing: Will BP strike a massive deal to settle the remaining claims over
the Gulf of Mexico well blowout?
http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2013/02/04/state-claims-wild-card-in-bp-civil-deal-on-macondo-oil-spill/
UK energy company BP sees profit drop 79 percent in Q4, hit by Gulf of
Mexico spill settlement
By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, February 5, 5:00 AM
LONDON — Oil and gas giant BP's profit fell nearly 80 percent in the fourth
quarter in results released Tuesday, dragged down by payouts related to the
Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/uk-energy-company-bp-sees-profit-drop-79-percent-in-q4-hit-by-gulf-of-mexico-spill-settlement/2013/02/05/4afaa10c-6f73-11e2-b35a-0ee56f0518d2_story.html
State News
Recycling program honored
Hattiesburg American
Lamar County has been honored by the Mississippi Recycling Coalition for
its development of a recycling program.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20130205/NEWS01/302050015/Recycling-program-honored
Delta creek restocked with fish following drought
by Associated Press
Published: February 4,2013
LELAND, Miss. (AP) — State wildlife officials have restocked Deer Creek
near Leland with bluegill fish.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2013/02/04/69202/
Bill to limit PSC's power advances
by Patsy R. Brumfield
NEMS Daily Journal
02.05.13 - 07:00 am
JACKSON – A bill to strip state regulation of public water associations
Monday passed a Senate committee chaired by Sen. Nancy Collins, R-Tupelo.
http://djournal.com/view/full_story/21615758/article-Bill-to-limit-PSC%E2%80%99s-power-advances?instance=secondary_stories_left_column
State Agencies Could Move Closer to Capitol
WJTV
Jackson- The full Senate could vote as early as next week.
Senator David Blount (D-Hinds County) is spearheading the bill. He says
there are several agencies housed outside of downtown Jackson, and that's
costing taxpayers nearly $2.5 million in rent each year.
http://www2.wjtv.com/news/2013/feb/04/state-agencies-could-move-closer-capitol-ar-5521694/
National News
Senators Find Common Ground on Nuclear-Waste Bill
Wall Street Journal
By RYAN TRACY
A group of senior senators from both parties has found common ground as
its members work on a bill to overhaul the U.S. nuclear-waste program, a
top Democrat said Monday in an indication that the Senate will make the
issue a priority this year.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324900204578284433133908680.html
BP sued by California for alleged hazardous waste violations
Bloomberg
By Karen Gullo, Published: February 4
Feb. 4 (Bloomberg) -- BP Plc units including Atlantic Richfield Co. were
sued by California over claims they violated environmental laws by failing
to inspect and maintain underground storage tanks at 780 gas stations.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/bp-sued-by-california-for-alleged-hazardous-waste-violations/2013/02/04/897faf28-6efe-11e2-b35a-0ee56f0518d2_story.html
Outgoing EPA chief regrets lack of dialogue with rural America
The Hill
By Zack Colman - 02/04/13 04:56 PM ET
Departing Departing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator
Lisa Jackson said she wished she had communicated better during her tenure
with rural regions that felt victimized by the agency's pollution rules.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/280965-outgoing-epa-chief-regrets-lack-of-dialogue-with-rural-america
Outgoing EPA chief convinced Obama serious on climate change
Reuters
Mon, Feb 4 2013
By John Shiffman, Valerie Volcovici and Patrick Rucker
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The departing chief of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Lisa P. Jackson, says she cringes whenever she is asked
if President Barack Obama is truly serious about confronting climate
change.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/04/us-usa-climate-jackson-idUSBRE9130XD20130204
Sen. Murkowski backs calls to reevaluate biofuel mandate
The Hill
By Zack Colman - 02/04/13 03:45 PM ET
The Senate Energy Committee's top Republican said Monday that she is "in
good company" with congressional calls to reevaluate a biofuel-blending
mandate.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/280941-sen-murkowski-urges-biofuel-blending-mandate-changes-as-rules-opponents-hit-the-hill-
Arizona sues U.S. EPA over coal power plant emissions
Reuters
Mon, Feb 4 2013
(Reuters) - Arizona challenged in federal court U.S. environmental
regulators efforts to force Arizona power companies to spend up to $1
billion to install pollution control equipment at three coal plants to
reduce haze in the region's national parks.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/04/us-utilities-arizona-coal-idUSBRE9130L420130204
Opinion
CHARLIE MITCHELL: The special status of utilities is a source of much
consternation
OXFORD — The situation with Mississippi Power Company and its coal-fired
plant under construction in Kemper County has a lot of people upset. Here's
why:
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/04/4447552/charlie-mitchell-the-special-status.html
Press Releases
EPA Proposing to Redesignate Atlanta Area to Attainment for Ozone
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421,
harris-young.dawn@epa.gov
ATLANTA – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it
has proposed to approve the state of Georgia's request to redesignate the
Atlanta area to attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. The proposal
to approve is based on air quality monitoring data for the three-year
period of 2008, 2009, and 2010 that meets the standard. The area continues
to attain this standard.
"Today, we commend local and state officials, who have been working
collaboratively with us to reach this milestone," said EPA Regional
Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming. "We look forward to building on this
progress, as we continue efforts to improve air quality and protect public
health."
The Atlanta area has made significant progress in improving air quality.
This progress is a result of hard work and great cooperation among local,
state and federal agencies, private partners and the over four million
Georgians who live and work in the Atlanta area. The Atlanta area impacted
by this proposed action includes the following 20 counties: Barrow, Bartow,
Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette,
Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale,
Spalding and Walton.
"All of metropolitan Atlanta can be proud of this major accomplishment.
Everyone should be applauded, from citizens who keep their vehicles in good
running condition to industries and power plants that have invested in
improved emission controls," said Judson H. Turner, Director of the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division. "It has taken many years, but the
results are cleaner air and a healthier place to live and work."
Ground level or "bad" ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is
created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile
organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from
industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust,
gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx
and VOC. Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including
chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen
bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ground level ozone also can reduce lung
function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may
permanently scar lung tissue.
Today, EPA also opened up a 30-day public comment period for the proposed
redesignation. For more information on the Atlanta area proposed 1997
8-hour ozone redesignation, visit docket number EPA-R04-OAR-2012-0986 at
www.regulations.gov.
