3.26.13
Oil Spill
Study: Dispersant chemicals in Orange Beach during BP oil spill came from
local pollution, not Deepwater Horizon disaster
By Ben Raines | braines@al.com
March 25, 2013 at 12:27 PM
A scientific study published two years after the BP oil spill found that
dispersant chemicals detected around Orange Beach as oil washed ashore in
2010 most likely originated from local sources.
http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/03/study_dispersant_chemicals_in.html
Rig Worker: Training Saved Lives After BP Blowout
AP
A Transocean employee who served as chief mate on the Deepwater Horizon
testified Monday that he believes the rig crew's emergency training saved
lives following the 2010 explosion that killed 11 workers and triggered the
nation's worst offshore oil spill.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/rig-worker-training-saved-lives-bp-blowout-18809287#.UVC5jRzCZ8E
Rig safety drills helped save lives, chief mate aboard Deepwater Horizon
testifies
By Richard Thompson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
March 25, 2013 at 10:00 PM
The second-in-command aboard Transocean's Deepwater Horizon drilling rig
testified Monday that emergency safety drills, including one conducted
three days before the Macondo well blowout, helped save lives when the rig
exploded and caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/03/rig_safety_drills_helped_save.html
State News
New DMR director will be announced today
WLOX
The search for a new director of the Mississippi Department of Marine
Resources is apparently over. Gov. Phil Bryant will be at the DMR
headquarters in Biloxi this morning to introduce the person who will
oversee the agency's day-to-day operations.
http://www.wlox.com/story/21793998/new-dmr-director-will-be-announced-today
Bryant's DMR director pick to be announced today
Sun Herald
By MICHAEL NEWSOM — mmnewsom@sunherald.com
BILOXI -- Gov. Phil Bryant is expected to name his choice for the next
director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources today in a news
conference at the agency's headquarters in Biloxi, the Sun Herald has
confirmed.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/03/25/4551162/bryants-dmr-director-pick-to-be.html
Harrison Co. Utility Authority fires contractor
WLOX
HARRISON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -
After weeks of controversy surrounding contractor S.H. Anthony, the
Harrison County Utility Authority Board, in a unanimous vote Monday,
decided to terminate its four year contract with the company.
http://www.wlox.com/story/21786159/harrison-co-utility-authority-fires-contractor
Utility Authority terminates contract with S.H. Anthony, Inc.
Sun Herald
By MELISSA M. SCALLAN — mmscallan@sunherald.com
GULFPORT -- The Harrison County Utility Authority voted unanimously Monday
to terminate S.H. Anthony, Inc.'s contract for operation and maintenance of
its facilities.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/03/25/4550545/utility-authority-holding-special.html
Pass Christian, Miss., is a magnet for high storm surge, new database shows
By Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
March 26, 2013 at 7:13 AM
Louisiana has seen two of the top 10 highest hurricane storm surge levels
along the Gulf of Mexico coast in modern times, but it's Pass Christian,
Miss., that has experienced the top two surge heights -- 28 feet during
Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and 24.6 feet during Hurricane Camille in 1969
-- according to a new database developed by researchers at Louisiana State
University.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/03/pass_christian_miss_magnet_for.html
Farmers: Follow the rules when burning fields
Bolivar Commercial
by Rory Doyle
03.20.13 - 06:08 pm
With March generally being the windiest month of the year, Delta farmers
should remain alert to safe methods for burning farmland.
http://www.bolivarcom.com/view/full_story/22028516/article-Farmers--Follow-the-rules-when-burning-fields?instance=latest_articles
State agency says Clinton best choice for Dept. of Revenue headquarters
Lawmaker questions decision; says downtown Jackson was first pick for
headquarters
Clarion Ledger
The state Department of Finance and Administration's choice of Clinton's
South Pointe Business Park to house the Department of Revenue is the best
and most economical option for the state, officials with DFA say.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130326/NEWS010504/303260041/State-agency-says-Clinton-best-choice-Dept-Revenue-headquarters
Boyfriend: Lawmaker Jessica Upshaw battled depression
Death followed trip to Coast, former rep. says
Clarion Ledger
Former state Rep. Clint Rotenberry said the last weekend he spent with Rep.
Jessica Upshaw was a really special one.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130326/NEWS010504/303260038/Boyfriend-Lawmaker-Jessica-Upshaw-battled-depression
National News
Senate energy and climate change votes point to EPA as key decider
By Tom Curry, National Affairs Writer, NBC News
Hurricane Sandy last year pushed the issue of climate change higher on the
nation's agenda. President Barack Obama indicated in his inaugural address
and his State of the Union address that climate policy would be a priority
for his second term.
http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/25/17458810-senate-energy-and-climate-change-votes-point-to-epa-as-key-decider?lite
Obama's Achilles' heel on climate: Senate Democrats
Politico
By: Andrew Restuccia and Darren Goode
March 25, 2013 04:06 PM EDT
More than a dozen Senate Democrats have a message for President Barack
Obama: If he wants to take dramatic action on climate change, he's on his
own.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/obamas-achilles-heel-on-climate-senate-democrats-89295.html?hp=l10
New panel to advise EPA on 'fracking'
The Hill
By Ben Goad and Megan R. Wilson - 03/25/13 06:11 PM ET
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday announced the formation
of an independent body to peer-review that agency's research on hydraulic
fracturing, as the Obama administration weighs new regulations.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energyenvironment/290235-new-panel-to-advise-epa-on-fracking-
Judge sides with Wyoming in fracking chemical suit
By MEAD GRUVER
Associated Press
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A judge in Casper has sided with the state of Wyoming
and ruled against environmentalists who sought to make public the lists of
ingredients that go into hydraulic fracturing fluids.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/03/25/judge-sides-with-wyoming-in-fracking-chemical-suit/
Georgia Senate passes resolution to move state line, claim Tennessee River
water
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Georgia senators today passed a resolution calling for the correction of
survey areas along the state's northern border in a 48-2 vote, a news
release states.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/mar/25/georgia-senate-passes-resolution-move-state-line-c/
EPA rejects part of W.Va. impaired streams list
Charleston Gazette
By Ken Ward Jr.
Federal regulators said today that they've rejected a key part of West
Virginia's latest list of contaminated streams, because state officials
left off more than 250 waterways that should have been included.
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201303250069
The biggest fight over renewable energy is now in the states
Washington Post
By Brad Plumer, Updated: March 25, 2013
Nowadays, a huge chunk of the action on clean energy in the United States
is happening at the state level. Some 29 states and Washington D.C. have
renewable energy standards requiring electric utilities to get a portion of
their power from sources like wind or solar.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/03/25/the-biggest-fights-over-renewable-energy-are-now-happening-in-the-states/
Press Releases
MWF Announces New Executive Director
Madison, Mississippi (March 25, 2013) – The Board of Directors for the
Mississippi Wildlife Federation (MWF) has selected Brad Young to lead the
organization beginning April 22, 2013. Young has served as Black Bear
Program Leader with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and
Parks (MDWFP) for the past ten years.
Young, who grew up in Cleveland and currently lives in Madison, will
provide invaluable insight into conservation programs and challenges within
the state and the Southeastern region as a whole. Young graduated from
Mississippi State University (MSU) with a B.S. in Wildlife Sciences and a
M.S. in Forestry. His work with Mississippi's endangered black bear
population has provided him with the opportunity to work with a wide
variety of public and private natural resource organizations from all over
the state. Young's previous position also allowed him to work with a
multitude of private landowners, concerned citizens, and public officials
who have a vested interest in natural resource management within this
state. The Federation feels this ability to work with the public as well as
other natural resource entities, both public and private, is one of his
strongest assets.
"The Board's decision was a difficult one," said Rick Dillard, MWF
President. "We received applications from several qualified candidates, but
we feel Brad is the best fit for the position and know he will do a great
job as the new MWF Executive Director. His passion for wildlife and habitat
conservation combined with his energy and enthusiasm are what impressed our
Board of Directors. Brad is a great person, and we look forward to working
with him to ensure a bright future for the Mississippi Wildlife Federation
and for Mississippi's natural resources."
The mission of the Mississippi Wildlife Federation is to conserve
Mississippi's natural resources and protect its wildlife legacy.
Established in 1946, the Mississippi Wildlife Federation is the oldest and
largest non-profit conservation organization in the state representing over
20,000 hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. For more information,
visit the MWF website or call us at (601) 605-1790. Follow us on Facebook
and on Twitter.
EPA's Science Advisory Board Announces Independent Panel to Peer Review
Agency's Hydraulic Fracturing Research
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)
independent Science Advisory Board (SAB) today announced the formation of
its Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory panel. This panel of independent
experts will peer review EPA's 2014 draft report of results for its
national study on any potential health and environmental impacts of
hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. Leading up to the peer
review, the SAB panel will provide scientific feedback on EPA's research in
an open and transparent manner.
The development of the draft report, which is directed by Congress, is in
line with the Administration's focus on continuing to expand safe and
responsible domestic oil and gas production.
The SAB has identified an independent panel of 31 experts that meet the
SAB's criteria of having the necessary expertise and breadth of experience
to adequately review the EPA hydraulic fracturing study on the potential
impacts on drinking water resources, and meet long-standing rules regarding
financial conflicts of interest.
EPA will ask the SAB panel, as a part of its public process, to
specifically seek input from applied science practitioners in the field.
Assuring the most up-to-date information on emerging science and technology
of this rapidly changing industry is a critical component of the entire
process.
In March 2010, EPA announced its intention to conduct the study in response
to a request from Congress. To ensure an approach of openness and
scientific rigor, the agency has engaged in a wide variety of activities,
including public meetings with stakeholders and public webinars, technical
roundtables and technical workshops. In addition, the agency's Science
Advisory Board reviewed the draft study plan and now has established a
panel that will peer review the 2014 draft report of results, as well as
provide scientific feedback as requested.
"Our final report on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on
drinking water resources must be based on sound science and take into
account the latest practices being used by the industry," said Acting
Administrator Bob Perciasepe. "We have worked to ensure that the study
process be open and transparent throughout, and the SAB panel is another
example of our approach of openness and scientific rigor."
The SAB sought public nominations of nationally and internationally
recognized scientists and engineers having experience and expertise related
to hydraulic fracturing in an August 2012 Federal Register notice.
The SAB initially identified and sought public comment on 144 potential
candidates. As required by the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, SAB staff
worked to screen candidates for conflicts of interest and appearance of
lack of impartiality. After reviewing public comments, confidential
financial disclosure forms and additional information submitted by
prospective candidates, the SAB identified the panel of 31 experts.
The SAB panel is comprised of five current employees of companies and
consulting firms; two government employees; and 21 academics/university
professors (including some previously employed in industry). It has at
least three experts in each of the following nine areas of expertise that
were sought for the panel: Petroleum/Natural Gas Engineering;
Petroleum/Natural Gas Well Drilling; Hydrology/Hydrogeology;
Geology /Geophysics; Groundwater Chemistry/Geochemistry;
Toxicology/Biology; Statistics; Civil Engineering; and Waste Water and
Drinking Water Treatment.
On May 7 and 8, 2013, the SAB panel will convene a meeting to provide
individual feedback from panel members regarding EPA's 2012 progress report
on the study. The public will also have the opportunity to provide comments
for the panel's consideration. Comments from individual panel members will
be considered as EPA develops its draft results in late 2014 for peer
review by the SAB. The draft report of results will synthesize the findings
from the study's ongoing projects together with scientific literature to
answer the study's main research questions regarding hydraulic fracturing
and drinking water resources.
Subsequent meetings will include an opportunity for presentations to the
panel by experts in fracturing technologies.
More information on the SAB's Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory panel
and its activities is available at:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/0/B436304BA804E3F885257A5B00521B3B?OpenDocument
Factsheet on SAB Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory Panel:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/WebBOARD/BOARDnews?OpenDocument
Names/Affiliations of the SAB Panel
Mr. John V. Fontana, Vista GeoScience LLC
Mr. Walter R. Hufford, Talisman Energy USA
Dr. Stephen W. Almond, MeadWestvaco
Dr. E. Scott Bair, Ohio State University
Dr. Elizabeth Boyer, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Susan L. Brantley, Penn State University
Dr. Peter Bloomfield, North Carolina State University
Dr. Steven Bohlen, U.S. Department of Energy
Dr. James V. Bruckner, University of Georgia
Dr. Thomas L. Davis, Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Joseph J. DeGeorge, Merck Research Laboratories
Dr. Joel Ducoste, North Carolina State University
Dr. Shari Dunn-Norman, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Dr. David Dzombak, Carnegie Mellon University
Dr. Katherine Bennett Ensor, Rice University
Dr. Elaine M. Faustman, University of Washington
Dr. Daniel J. Goode, U.S. Geological Survey
Dr. Abby A. Li, Exponent Inc
Mr. Dean Malouta, Independent Consultant in Oil and Gas Exploration and
Development
Dr. Cass T. Miller, University of North Carolina
Dr. Laura J. Pyrak-Nolte, Purdue University
Dr. Steve Randtke, University of Kansas
Dr. Joseph Ryan, University of Colorado
Dr. James Saiers, Yale University
Dr. Eric P. Smith, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Dr. Azra N. Tutuncu, Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Paul Westerhoff, Arizona State University
Dr. Thomas M. Young, University of California, Davis
Dr. Bruce D. Honeyman, Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Richard Jack, Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation
Dr. Dawn Kaback, AMEC E&I, Inc.
