4.1.13
Oil Spill
Energy nominee Moniz details ties to BP
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 03/30/13 10:56 AM ET
Ernest Moniz, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology physicist who
President Obama nominated to run the Energy Department, worked as a
consultant for oil-and-gas giant BP between 2005 and 2012, records show.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/291083-energy-nominee-moniz-details-bp-ties-and-other-affiliations
State News
Hattiesburg spends $5M to dredge 2 sewage lagoons
Clarion Ledger
HATTIESBURG — Dredging two sewage lagoons in Hattiesburg is turning out to
be harder and more expensive than expected.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130401/news01/304010034/hattiesburg-spends-5m-dredge-2-sewage-lagoons
Annual cleanup slated in county
By FOREST SUMRALL
DAILY LEADER
Sunday, March 31, 2013 2:00 pm
Spring cleaning will be a little easier this season, thanks to the upcoming
Lincoln County Great American Cleanup.
http://www.dailyleader.com/topstories/article_7dcdc7ea-99ac-11e2-9cd0-0019bb2963f4.html
Seminar to address environment and energy
Sun Herald
JACKSON -- The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the
Mississippi Manufacturers' Association will host an environmental and
energy seminar April 10 in Jackson.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/03/29/4560316/business-briefs.html
Company to double production of Lucedale wood pellet plant, bringing $40
million investment, more jobs
Mississippi Press
By April M. Havens | ahavens@al.com
March 29, 2013 at 4:31 PM
LUCEDALE, Mississippi -- Gulf Coast Renewable Energy, which plans to bring
a multimillion-dollar wood pellet manufacturing facility to George County's
industrial park, announced today that it has decided to double the plant's
capacity.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-business/2013/03/company_to_double_production_o.html#incart_river
Hearing will be next week for Miller's confirmation as DMR chief
Sun Herald
By MICHAEL NEWSOM — mmnewsom@sunherald.com
Jamie Miller could face hours of questioning from the state Senate Ports
and Marine Resources Committee during his confirmation hearing at the
Capitol next week.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/03/29/4560585/hearing-will-be-next-week-for.html
Gas Spill Scares Local Gas Station
WCBI
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)-A Columbus Shell station received a scare Saturday
afternoon.http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/gas-spill-scares-local-gas-station
Public meeting set Thursday on Grand Bay NERR management plan
By The Associated Press
March 30, 2013 at 11:29 AM
BILOXI, Mississippi -- The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
plans a public meeting Thursday to discuss a revised management plan.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Grand Bay Coastal Resources
Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, near Moss Point.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/03/public_meeting_set_thursday_on.html#incart_river
National News
12,000 barrels of oil and water recovered
AP
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - 12,000 barrels of oil and water have been
recovered after a crude oil pipeline ruptured.Authorities are evacuating at
least 50 homes after a crude oil pipeline ruptured near Mayflower, spilling
oil into Lake Conway.
http://www.wdam.com/story/21831060/oil-leaks-into-ark-lake-after-pipeline-ruptures
Opponents attack EPA proposal requiring cleaner fuel, cars in the U.S.
Washington Post
By Juliet Eilperin, Published: March 29
The oil industry and key Republicans criticized the Obama administration
Friday for moving ahead with regulations requiring cleaner gasoline and
lower-pollution vehicles nationwide, saying the measures would unduly
burden refineries and raise gas prices at the pump.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/epa-proposes-requiring-cleaner-fuel-cars-in-the-us/2013/03/29/73df0966-987f-11e2-b68f-dc5c4b47e519_story.html
EPA's low-sulfur gasoline rules fuel fight with GOP over prices
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 03/29/13 12:15 PM ET
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday unveiled draft rules on auto
emissions and low-sulfur gasoline designed to curb smog-forming, soot and
toxic pollution, drawing attacks from Republicans who allege the mandate
will increase consumer costs.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/290983-epa-unveils-low-sulfur-gasoline-rules-to-gop-jeers
With gasoline rule, W.H. picks a side
Politico
By: Erica Martinson
March 29, 2013 11:37 AM EDT
Is the Obama administration raring for a fight with Big Oil?
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/epa-proposes-long-awaited-tier-3-rule-89466.html?hp=l19
Green groups want Supreme Court to revive power plant rule
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 03/29/13 03:09 PM ET
Environmentalists are urging the Supreme Court to review a lower court
ruling that scuttled a major Obama administration initiative to cut power
plant pollution, alleging the decision was "riddled with error."
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/291015-green-groups-want-supreme-court-to-revive-power-plant-rule
Opinion
Director nominee Jamie Miller up to challenge of getting DMR's house in
order
By Mississippi Press Editorial Board
March 28, 2013 at 1:01 PM
State Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Pascagoula and chairman of the Ports and Marine
Resources Committee, has set a confirmation hearing on Wednesday for Jamie
Miller, Gov. Phil Bryant's nominee to be the next executive director of the
troubled state Department of Marine Resources.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-opinion/2013/03/director_nominee_jamie_miller.html
New EPA rules on tailpipe emissions will save lives
Washington Post
By Editorial Board, Published: March 31
EVERY TIME you start up your car, it begins to spew a smelly mixture of
gases that wafts into the atmosphere, reacts in the sunlight and forms the
brownish haze called smog. Along with those gases come soot and other
substances that condense into fine particles. All of this you and your
neighbors breathe in. The result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
reckons, is more than 158 million Americans inhaling unhealthy air.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/new-epa-rules-on-tailpipe-emissions-will-save-lives/2013/03/31/8c81ebac-98be-11e2-97cd-3d8c1afe4f0f_print.html
Press releases
EPA Proposes Achievable Cleaner Fuels and Cars Standard, Slashing Air
Pollution and Providing Extensive Health Benefits
Release Date: 03/29/2013
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873,
202-564-4355; ESPAÒOL: lina Younes younes.lina@epa.gov, 202-564-9924,
202-564-4355
WASHINGTON – Based on extensive input from auto manufacturers, refiners,
and states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed
sensible standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce
harmful pollution, prevent thousands of premature deaths and illnesses,
while also enabling efficiency improvements in the cars and trucks we
drive. These cleaner fuels and cars standards are an important component of
the administration's national program for clean cars and trucks, which also
include historic fuel efficiency standards that are saving new vehicle
owners at the gas pump today. Once fully in place, the standards will help
avoid up to 2,400 premature deaths per year and 23,000 cases of respiratory
ailments in children.
Following a proven systems approach that addresses vehicles and fuels as an
integrated system, today's proposal will enable the greatest pollution
reductions at the lowest cost. The proposal will slash emissions of a range
of harmful pollutants that can cause premature death and respiratory
illnesses, including reducing smog-forming volatile organic compounds and
nitrogen oxides by 80 percent, establish a 70 percent tighter particulate
matter standard, and reduce fuel vapor emissions to near zero. The proposal
will also reduce vehicle emissions of toxic air pollutants, such as benzene
and 1,3-butadiene, by up to 40 percent.
The proposal supports efforts by states to reduce harmful levels of smog
and soot and eases their ability to attain and maintain science-based
national ambient air quality standards to protect public health, while also
providing flexibilities for small businesses, including hardship provisions
and additional lead time for compliance.
"The Obama Administration has taken a series of steps to reinvigorate the
auto industry and ensure that the cars of tomorrow are cleaner, more
efficient and saving drivers money at the pump and these common-sense
cleaner fuels and cars standards are another example of how we can protect
the environment and public health in an affordable and practical way," said
EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe. "Today's proposed standards –
which will save thousands of lives and protect the most vulnerable -- are
the next step in our work to protect public health and will provide the
automotive industry with the certainty they need to offer the same car
models in all 50 states.
By 2030, EPA estimates that the proposed cleaner fuels and cars program
will annually prevent up to 2,400 premature deaths, 23,000 cases of
respiratory ailments in children, 3,200 hospital admissions and
asthma-related emergency room visits, and 1.8 million lost school days,
work days and days when activities would be restricted due to air
pollution. Total health-related benefits in 2030 will be between $8 and $23
billion annually. The program would also reduce exposure to pollution near
roads. More than 50 million people live, work, or go to school in close
proximity to high-traffic roadways, and the average American spends more
than one hour traveling along roads each day.
Throughout the development of the proposal, EPA met with representatives
from the automotive and oil and gas industry as well as environmental,
consumer advocacy and public health organizations. Based on initial
feedback from these groups and a thorough rulemaking process, EPA's
proposal is estimated to provide up to seven dollars in health benefits for
every dollar spent to meet the standards. The proposed sulfur standards
will cost refineries less than a penny per gallon of gasoline on average
once the standards are fully in place. The proposed vehicle standards will
have an average cost of about $130 per vehicle in 2025. The proposal also
includes flexibilities for small businesses, including hardship provisions
and additional lead time for compliance.
The proposed standards will reduce gasoline sulfur levels by more than 60
percent – down to 10 parts per million (ppm) in 2017. Reducing sulfur in
gasoline enables vehicle emission control technologies to perform more
efficiently. This means that vehicles built prior to the proposed standards
will run cleaner on the new low-sulfur gas, providing significant and
immediate benefits by reducing emissions from every gas-powered vehicle on
the road.
The proposed standards will work together with California's clean cars and
fuels program to create a harmonized nationwide vehicle emissions program
that enables automakers to sell the same vehicles in all 50 states. The
proposal is designed to be implemented over the same timeframe as the next
phase of EPA's national program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
from cars and light trucks beginning in model year 2017. Together, the
federal and California standards will maximize reductions in GHGs, air
pollutants and air toxics from cars and light trucks while providing
automakers regulatory certainty and streamlining compliance.
Once published in the Federal Register, the proposal will be available for
public comment and EPA will hold public hearings to receive further public
input.
Information on EPA's notice of proposed rulemaking:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/tier3.htm
###
Here's What They're Saying about EPA's Proposed Cleaner Fuels and Cars
Standards
WASHINGTON – Based on extensive input from auto manufactures, refiners, and
states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed
sensible standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce
harmful pollution, prevent thousands of premature deaths and illnesses,
while also enabling efficiency improvements in the cars and trucks we
drive. These cleaner fuels and cars standards are an important component of
the administration's national program for clean cars and trucks, which also
include historic fuel efficiency standards that are saving new vehicle
owners at the gas pump today. Once fully in place, the standards will help
avoid up to 2,400 premature deaths per year and 23,000 cases of respiratory
ailments in children.
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
"The new motor fuel standards proposed today by the Environmental
Protection Agency under President Obama's leadership will help Maryland
reach its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020.
Reductions from mobile sources are one of the most important strategies
needed to provide clean air to Maryland's citizens for generations to come.
Today's actions will also provide a significant benefit to the Chesapeake
Bay as approximately one-third of its nitrogen issues are caused by air
pollution. By proposing these new robust vehicle and fuel quality
standards, President Obama and the EPA have made a strong commitment to
protecting the public's health and our environment. Together with our
federal partners, we can create a more sustainable future for our
children."
Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts
"I applaud President Obama and the EPA for issuing this new rule, which is
a significant step forward in reducing air pollution from vehicles. This
rule means cleaner cars and cleaner fuels, which in turn means healthier
communities across the country," said Governor Deval Patrick. "This common
sense regulation is a victory for a cost-effective and sensible way to
clean our air."
Dannel P. Mallow, Governor of Connecticut
"EPA's proposed Tier 3 vehicle standards and cleaner gasoline will give our
state immediate air quality benefits, which will only grow over time as new
cars enter the marketplace. In Connecticut, we are taking action to show
that we can have a strong economy and a healthy environment, and the new
standards for motor vehicles and fuels announced today by EPA are
consistent with our approach. I applaud EPA's help taking on the most
significant source of air pollution – cars, trucks and other so-called
mobile sources – and look forward to prompt finalization of the rule so we
all breathe cleaner air."
Robert M. Pestronk, MPH, Executive Director, National Association of County
and City Health Officials
"On behalf of America's 2,800 local health departments, NACCHO applauds the
Environmental Protection Agency's proposed standards for cleaner gasoline
and cars. The updated standards prevent illness, preserve health and help
reduce health care costs. Standards like these help local health
departments keep people healthy and safe by improving air quality."
U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, N.Y.
"The implementation of Tier 3 emission standards is a big step forward for
Americans," said Senator Gillibrand. "More stringent emission standards
would significantly decrease air pollution, create new jobs and increase
worker's economic productivity by reducing the number of sick days they
take from lung and heart related ailments. We've cleared a crucial step in
the process, and I will continue to urge the Administration to move quickly
to finalize the rule this year"
Paul Billings, Senior Vice President, American Lung Association
"Pollution from cars, light trucks, and SUVs kills and makes people sick.
Stronger standards that lower sulfur levels in gasoline and cut toxic
tailpipe pollutants will pave the way to a healthier future. Using lower
sulfur gasoline in cars currently on the road will reduce as much pollution
as taking 33 million cars off the road. Passenger vehicles are major
sources of ozone and particle pollution that pose serious threats to public
health. This pollution triggers asthma attacks, worsens lung and heart
health and can even lead to early death. Children, the elderly and those
with chronic lung and heart health problems are most vulnerable to
traffic-related pollution."
Georges Benjamin, Executive Director, American Public Health Association
"The return on investment of these important standards measured in both
health savings and deaths averted is hugely significant and should not be
overlooked. Reducing dangerous tailpipe emissions from cars will deliver
between $8 and $23 billion in national health benefits annually by 2030 and
prevent tens of thousands of asthma attacks, hospitalizations and early
deaths. "
Gloria Bergquist, Spokeswoman, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
"This is a big step forward for this country to catch up to the clean fuels
available in other industrialized nations. Automakers have already reduced
vehicle emissions by 99 percent, and we're working to go further while also
delivering high quality, affordable vehicles to our customers."
Dan Wyant, Director, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
"Michigan's automobile industry continues producing vehicles that are more
fuel efficient and better for the state's air quality. The EPA's proposed
Tier 3 fuel standard will further the goal of cleaner air."
Shannon Baker-Branstetter, Policy Counsel for Consumers Union
"Vehicles have gotten cleaner over the years, but unfortunately too many
Americans still struggle with health issues like asthma and respiratory
problems that come from breathing in air heavy with smog and other
pollutants. These standards are expected to be highly cost-effective in
cleaning up gasoline and tailpipe emissions. These minimal costs will be
largely outweighed by the savings that come from the huge health benefits
we get from cleaner air."
Bill Becker, Executive Director, National Association of Clean Air Agencies
"The new standard could be 'the most significant air pollution policy
President Obama will adopt in his second term. . . . There is not another
air pollution control strategy that we know of that will produce as
substantial, cost-effective and expeditious emissions reductions."
Luke Tonachel, Senior Vehicles Analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council
"These common-sense standards will save lives, save money and clean up our
air - all at a minimal cost. Big Oil companies want us to believe these
benefits aren't worth it. But that's because they care about profits above
all else."
Frank O'Donnell, President, Clean Air Watch
"I think this proposal is the single most effective step EPA can take right
now to reduce smog."
Statement from the Emissions Control Technology Association
As the companies who have developed the cutting edge technology to reduce
mobile source emissions by more than 90 percent, the Emissions Control
Technology Association (ECTA) commends President Obama's leadership in
proposing a Tier 3 regulation that will improve public health and
strengthen our domestic manufacturing base. The benefits of Tier 3 will far
outweigh the cost.
Michelle Robinson, Director of Clean Vehicles Program, Union of Concerned
Scientists
"The path from a car's tailpipe to our lungs is surprisingly short, and
more than 1 in 3 Americans live in areas where air pollution levels exceed
at least one federal limit. Today's proposal is a common-sense step that
will protect our health while growing our economy."
Michael Brune, Sierra Club, Executive Director
"With these expected cleaner tailpipe standards, President Obama is taking
a strong step to protect our public health and secure his clean energy
legacy. We have the technology to clean up our fuels and our cars and it's
critical that we put them to work to ensure Americans have the safe,
breathable air they deserve. Cutting smog and other toxic air pollution
will help American children breath cleaner air and will save lives. These
new standards will save billions annually in health costs and will free
American families from some of the crippling effects of respiratory
disease, asthma attacks and other severe health problems."
Michael Stanton, President and CEO, Global Automakers
"We have been anxiously awaiting this rulemaking because it is good for the
environment and will help harmonize the federal and California programs for
both vehicles and fuels. With 15 million new vehicle sales a year,
automakers need predictable national fuel quality at the retail pump.
Ultra-low sulfur gasoline is already available in California, Europe, and
Japan and will enable automakers to use a broader range of technologies to
meet the significant environmental challenges facing the industry."
Mark MacLeod, Environmental Defense Fund
"The new Tier 3 standards will make our cars cleaner, and that means we'll
have cleaner air to breathe. Reducing tailpipe pollution will provide
healthier, longer lives for millions of Americans for less than a penny per
gallon of gas. That's why updating the standards has such broad support
from U.S. auto makers, state health commissioners, and health advocates."
EPA Updates Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for New Power Plants
Agency also proposes updates to oil and gas storage tank standards
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued
updates to pollution limits for new power plants under the mercury and air
toxics standards, based on new information and analysis that became
available to the agency after the rule was finalized.
The updates are largely technical in nature and will have no impact on the
sensible, achievable and cost-effective standards already set for existing
power plants. The public health benefits and costs of the rule remain
unchanged. EPA estimates that the standards, which will protect the health
of millions of families, especially children, will prevent as many as
11,000 premature deaths and 4,700 heart attacks every year. The standards
will also help America's children grow up healthier-- preventing 130,000
cases of childhood asthma symptoms and about 6,300 fewer cases of acute
bronchitis among children each year.
The updated standards only apply to future power plants and do not change
the types of pollution control technology that plants would install. The
updates ensure that emissions limits are achievable and that pollution
levels can be measured continuously.
EPA's mercury and air toxics standards are the first national standards to
protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic
air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium and cyanide. EPA
considered dozens of public comments from a range of stakeholders,
including industry and environmental groups, as part of the public process
to update the new source standards.
Also on March 28, 2013, EPA proposed updates to the agency's 2012
performance standards for storage tanks used in oil and natural gas
production. The proposed changes reflect recent information showing that
more higher-volume storage tanks will be coming on line than the agency
originally estimated and would provide storage tank owners and operators
additional time to comply with a requirement to reduce volatile organic
compound emissions while equipment to reduce those emissions is being
manufactured. EPA will take comment on today's proposal for 30 days after
it is published in the Federal Register and will hold a public hearing if
requested.
More information on MATS: http://epa.gov/mats/actions.html
More information on the proposed updates to the oil and gas regulations:
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/actions.html
