4.22.2013
Oil Spill
Mississippi becomes 3rd state to sue BP for oil spill, filing suits just
before deadline
By Associated Press, Published: April 19
JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi has become the third state to sue BP PLC over
the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/mississippi-becomes-3rd-state-to-sue-bp-for-oil-spill-filing-suits-just-before-deadline/2013/04/19/adf70b46-a90d-11e2-9e1c-bb0fb0c2edd9_story.html
Florida becomes 4th state to sue BP over 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill
By Associated Press, Published: April 20
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The state of Florida filed a lawsuit Saturday against
oil company BP and cement contractor Halliburton over the Deepwater Horizon
oil spill, becoming the fourth state to seek damages for the 2010 disaster.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/florida-sues-bp-halliburton-on-three-year-anniversary-of-2010-gulf-of-mexico-oil-spill/2013/04/20/a334dd0a-a9d5-11e2-9e1c-bb0fb0c2edd9_story.html
Sprawling BP oil spill trial closes chapter three years after deadly
disaster
By Richard Thompson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
April 19, 2013 at 10:03 PM
Almost three years to the day after the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig
caught fire and exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, the first phase of the
sprawling BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill trial came to a low-key close.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/04/sprawling_bp_oil_spill_trial_c.html
Analysis: BP's legal gamble may trim spill bill by billions
Reuters
1:27am EDT
By Kathy Finn and Braden Reddall
NEW ORLEANS/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - BP Plc's attempt to get a U.S.
federal court to pin at least a sizeable amount of the blame for the
Deepwater Horizon disaster on other companies may have saved it billions of
dollars.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/22/us-bp-spill-trial-idUSBRE93L04O20130422
Lack of basic research cripples scientists when assessing toll of BP oil
spill on Gulf's natural system
Press register
By Ben Raines | braines@al.com
April 20, 2013 at 8:56 AM
Three years after the BP oil spill, scientists are left scratching their
heads when asked if populations of sea creatures in the Gulf of Mexico have
returned to normal.
http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/04/lack_of_basic_research_cripple.html#incart_river
Watchdog group reports health problems from dispersant use during BP oil
spill
By Bruce Alpert, NOLA.com | Times-Picayune
April 20, 2013 at 6:30 PM
WASHINGTON -- Cleanup workers, doctors, divers and Gulf Coast residents
interviewed by a Washington watchdog group have reported health problems
from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, including blood in the urine, heart
palpitations, kidney and liver damage, migraines, memory loss and reduced
IQ.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/04/watchdog_group_reports_health.html
3 years after spill, Coast still unpaid
Fraction owed by oil giants has trickled in
Clarion Ledger
WASHINGTON — Three years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill polluted the
Gulf Coast's ecosystem and hammered its economy, the region is still
waiting on billions of dollars in fines and other payments from BP.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130421/NEWS/304210034/3-years-after-spill-Coast-still-unpaid?nclick_check=1
BP still uncertain over Gulf oil spill cost on 3rd anniversary
By MARGARET CRONIN FISK — BLOOMBERG NEWS
BP Plc marked the third anniversary of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of
Mexico on Sunday with no sure knowledge of how much more it will have to
pay government and private plaintiffs over the disaster.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/04/21/4609185/bp-still-uncertain-over-gulf-oil.html
BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill draws wide array of comments on 3rd
anniversary
By Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
April 19, 2013 at 9:11 PM
A variety of elected officials and representatives of industry and
environmental organizations are marking Saturday's third anniversary of the
blowout of the BP Macondo well.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/04/wide_array_of_comments_on_3rd.html
Three Years Later, Dauphin Island is Hopeful
WPMI
DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WPMI) Three years later and the gulf is still
recovering after millions of gallons of oil spilled after the deep water
horizon explosion. Businesses and the Ecosystem along the Gulf Coast have
made long strides of improvements but there's still a long way to go.
http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/story/Three-Years-Later-Dauphin-Island-is-Hopeful/VgSjEMSCB0WfRzlfGUoF_Q.cspx
Dauphin Island Recovering 3 Years After Oil Spill
WKRG
MOBILE, Alabama - Three years ago we had no idea how coastal communities
would be impacted by the BP oil spill, but in the weeks following the
Deepwater Horizon explosion places like Dauphin Island saw what was on the
horizon.
http://www.wkrg.com/story/22032082/dauphin-island-recovering-3-years-after-oil-spill
BP Oil Remains On Louisiana Coast 3 Years After Spill
WWNO
Today marks the three-year anniversary of the BP oil spill. Some of the oil
that spilled off the Louisiana coast remains in plain view.
http://www.wwno.org/post/bp-oil-remains-louisiana-coast-3-years-after-spill
Panel to discuss restoring gulf with BP oil spill money
Pensacola News Journal
As the three-year anniversary of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon
approaches, a panel of Florida leaders will discuss how money from the BP
oil spill should be used to restore the ecosystem of the Gulf Coast.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20130416/NEWS01/130416015/Panel-discuss-restoring-gulf-BP-oil-spill-money
Three Years After the BP Spill, Tar Balls and Oil Sheen Blight Gulf Coast
The rest of the U.S. may have moved on, but along the coast where oil
drifted to shore, residents are still waiting for some kind of closure.
Atlantic
April 20 marks the three-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon
disaster, which took the lives of 11 men and resulted in the largest oil
spill in American history. BP, along with Transocean and Halliburton, are
still in the midst of a civil trial held in New Orleans federal court over
liability for the catastrophe.
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/04/three-years-after-the-bp-spill-tar-balls-and-oil-sheen-blight-gulf-coast/275139/
Lives affected: Three years after the Deepwater Horizon explosion
Clarion Ledger
MEADVILLE — Denise Arnold had drifted off to sleep on the night of April
20, 2010, when she suddenly awoke and shook her husband, Bobby.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130421/NEWS01/304210038/Lives-affected-Three-years-after-Deepwater-Horizon-explosion
State News
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day again a great success
Mississippi Press
By Warren Kulo | GulfLive.com
GAUTIER, Mississippi -- "This is awesome," Ronda Powell said.
One normally wouldn't expect someone surrounded by dumpsters, truck and
barrels of hazardous waste to employ the word "awesome," but for Powell,
Jackson County Solid Waste Director, it was exactly that.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/04/household_hazardous_waste_coll_1.html#incart_river
One top DMR official retires, another resigns
Sun Herald
By MICHAEL NEWSOM — mmnewsom@sunherald.com
BILOXI -- Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Executive Director
Jamie Miller said Friday two top officials are leaving the agency.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/04/19/4606120/one-top-dmr-official-retires-another.html
Miller's salary at DMR will be $115,000
Miller's salary will be $115,000
New Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Executive Director Jamie
Miller will make $115,000 annually, he confirmed Friday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/04/19/4606901/millers-salary-at-dmr-will-be.html
DMR advertising for firm to study agency financing, structure
Sun Herald
By ANITA LEE — calee@sunherald.com
BILOXI -- The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is advertising for
an accounting firm to examine the troubled agency's finances, structure,
staffing, work flow and government program compliance.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/04/19/4605925/dmr-advertising-for-firm-to-study.html
National News
EPA proposes rules to curb power-plant waste in waterways
By Reuters, Published: April 19
Power producers must curb the tainted water they discharge into waterways
under a proposal the Environmental Protection Agency issued Friday, the
latest in a series of rules aimed at utilities that burn coal.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/epa-proposes-rules-to-curb-power-plant-waste-in-waterways/2013/04/19/a99aaad6-a961-11e2-b029-8fb7e977ef71_story.html
EPA proposes water pollution rules for power plants
The Hill
By Zack Colman - 04/19/13 05:19 PM ET
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new regulations Friday
that aim to reduce water pollution near nuclear and fossil fuel-fired power
plants.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/295095-epa-proposes-water-pollution-rules-affecting-power-plants
Study: Fracked gas far more climate-friendly than coal
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 04/19/13 12:49 PM ET
Natural gas produced in the northeast's booming Marcellus shale region
leads to far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than coal, a competing source
of electric power, according to a new study by Exxon Mobil's research arm.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/294995-study-fracked-gas-far-more-climate-friendly-than-coal
U.S. Supreme Court asked to hear EPA greenhouse gas challenge
Reuters
Fri, Apr 19 2013
By Valerie Volcovici
WASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - Top industry groups and a dozen states
have asked the Supreme Court to review a lower court decision upholding the
Obama administration's plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions generated by
power plants and vehicles.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/20/usa-court-greenhousegas-idUSL2N0D62DW20130420
Bachmann, conservative groups ask Supreme Court to stop EPA climate rules
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 04/19/13 06:14 PM ET
Conservative groups and a dozen House Republicans are petitioning the
Supreme Court to review an appellate decision that upheld the Environmental
Protection Agency's power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/295103-rep-bachmann-conservative-groups-urge-supreme-court-to-scuttle-epa-climate-rules
Renewable power's green vs. green battles continue
Politico
By: Alex Guillen
April 22, 2013 05:08 AM EDT
The Obama administration is hoping to put a stop to an increasing problem
for wind and solar power — feuds with environmental groups that say the
projects threaten endangered species or valuable habitat.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/earth-day-energy-greens-environmentalists-90387.html?hp=r6
Chevron Defies California On Carbon Emissions
Bloomberg
By Ben Elgin and Peter Waldman - Apr 18, 2013
Chevron Corp. (CVX) helped write the first-in-the-nation rule ordering
reduced carbon emissions from cars and trucks. Its biofuels chief spoke at
the ceremony where California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the
executive order in 2007, the same year the oil company pledged to develop a
gasoline replacement from wood.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-18/chevron-defies-california-on-carbon-emissions.html
US EPA: California has failed to spend $455 million on safe drinking water
improvements
By Associated Press,
FRESNO, Calif. — California has failed to spend $455 million of federal
money meant to improve water infrastructure in the state, while thousands
of people rely on groundwater laced with nitrates and other contaminants,
federal regulators said Friday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/us-epa-california-has-failed-to-spend-455-million-on-safe-drinking-water-improvements/2013/04/19/dfbb3890-a94f-11e2-9e1c-bb0fb0c2edd9_story.html
Opinion
Hood makes right move with lawsuits against BP
Clarion Ledger
BP may have settled claims with individuals and businesses, but it has
failed to address the losses to state coffers that impact citizens all
along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130421/OPINION01/304210021/Hood-makes-right-move-lawsuits-against-BP
Press Releases
Attorney General Files Suit Against BP and others for Damages
April 19 2013
Contact: Jan Schaefer, Public Information Officer
601/359.2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jackson, MS - Attorney General Jim Hood has filed suits in both state and
federal courts seeking to recover damages caused by the Deepwater Horizon
Oil Disaster of 2010.
Attorney General Jim Hood stated, "I have worked very hard to get BP to
discuss a reasonable settlement. BP refused to negotiate, forcing the
state to take this action. BP would not even agree to waive the statute of
limitations while we negotiated, which could have prevented the State from
having to file suit and saved both them and the taxpayers a lot of money
paying lawyers and fighting in the courts."
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster of April 20, 2010 killed 11 workers and
led to an unprecedented oil spill that damaged, depleted and destroyed
marine, estuarine and coastal environments, and caused the State to sustain
losses of tax revenue, economic loss, and other damages, including, damage
to its natural resources.
The State filed a suit in the Circuit Court in Harrison County today
raising state law claims and seeking recovery of the state statutory
penalties, such as the Coastal Wetlands Protection Act, and damages under
Mississippi state law. The state filed separate suit in federal court in
the Southern District of Mississippi, Gulfport Division, which seeks other
damages available under federal law.
The State also seeks to recover punitive damages, attorneys' fees, costs of
litigation, as well as declaratory and injunctive relief.
Attorney General Hood concluded, "I am sure BP and the other defendants
will seek to delay and deny the State our day in court by seeking to remove
our state law suit to federal court. It is my hope that the Federal
District Court in the Southern District of Mississippi will remand the case
to state court within 30 days of the defendants' filing for removal, so
that the state can proceed expeditiously in state court. While claims
filed by other states have languished in federal court, I do not want to
see that happen to us. States are separate sovereigns entitled to litigate
their state law claims in state courts."
EPA Proposes to Reduce Toxic Pollutants Discharged into Waterways by Power
Plants
WASHINGTON — In accordance with a consent decree and in line with
requirements under the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) today will propose a range of options to help reduce dangerous
pollutants, including mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium that are
released into America's waterways by coal ash, air pollution control waste
and other waste from steam electric power plants. Today's proposal includes
a variety of options for whether and how these different waste streams
should be treated. EPA will take comment on all of these options, which it
will use to help inform the most appropriate final standard.
Steam electric power plants currently account for more than half of all
toxic pollutants discharged into streams, rivers and lakes from permitted
industrial facilities in the United States. High exposure to these types of
pollutants has been linked to neurological damage and cancer as well as
damage to the circulatory system, kidneys and liver.Toxic heavy metals do
not break down in the environment and can also contaminate sediment in
waterways and impact aquatic life and wildlife, including large-scale
die-offs of fish.
"America's waterways are vital to the health and well-being of our
communities," said Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe. "Reducing the
pollution of our waters through effective but flexible controls such as we
are proposing today is a win-win for our public health and our economic
vitality. We look forward to hearing from all stakeholders on the best way
forward."
EPA has put a focus on ensuring any final rule would protect public health
while being sensible and achievable, and in line with that goal, under
every preferred option proposed by EPA today, more than half of America's
coal fired power plants would be in compliance without incurring any
additional cost.
The proposal updates standards that have been in place since 1982,
incorporating technology improvements in the steam electric power industry
over the last three decades as required by the Clean Water Act. The
proposed national standards are based on data collected from industry and
provide flexibility in implementation through a phased-in approach and use
of technologies already installed at a number of plants. Under the proposed
approach, new requirements for existing power plants would be phased in
between 2017 and 2022, and would leverage flexibilities as necessary.
Fewer than half of coal-fired power plants are estimated to incur costs
under any of the proposed preferred options, because many power plants
already have the technology and procedures in place to meet the proposed
pollution control standards.
The four preferred options differ in the number of waste streams covered
(such as fly ash handling systems, treatment of air pollution control waste
and bottom ash), the size of the units controlled and the stringency of the
treatment controls to be imposed. EPA estimates that the regulations would
reduce pollutant discharges by 470 million to 2.62 billion pounds annually
and reduce water use by 50 billion to 103 billion gallons per year.
EPA also announced its intention to align this Clean Water Act rule with a
related rule for coal combustion residuals (CCRs, also known as "coal ash")
proposed in 2010 under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The two
rules would apply to many of the same facilities and would work together to
reduce pollution associated with coal ash and related wastes. EPA is
seeking comment from industry and other stakeholders to ensure that both
final rules are aligned to reduce pollution efficiently and minimize
regulatory burdens.
There are approximately 1,200 steam electric power plants that generate
electricity using nuclear fuel or fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and
natural gas in the U.S. Approximately 500 of these power plants are coal
fired units which are the primary source of the pollutants being addressed
by the proposed regulation. Power plants that are smaller than 50 megawatts
would not be impacted by these new standards, and the majority of
coal-fired power plants would incur no costs under the proposed standards.
The public comment period on the proposed rule will be open for 60 days
after publication in the Federal Register. The agency is under a consent
decree to take final action by May 22, 2014.
More information:
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/guide/steam-electric/index.cfm
MEDIA ADVISORY: EPA Commemorates Earth Day, Continues Conversation on
Climate Change
WASHINGTON – This Earth Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is expanding the conversation on climate change through public engagement
and education on the importance of continuing to protect the air we
breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live on.
As we continue to make strides in protecting the climate by cutting carbon
pollution and greenhouse gasses, EPA is participating in events to spur
greater action to reduce the effects of climate change such as warmer
temperatures, sea level rise, stronger storms and more droughts.
Every American plays a role in bringing about a healthier climate, a
cleaner economy and a stronger energy future. By taking simple actions such
as changing a light bulb, powering down electronics, using less water and
recycling, together we can better protect our health and our environment.
Find an event on Earth Day to join or additional resources to learn more on
how you can make a difference.
Headquarter Activities Include:
· On April 22, Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe will join Secretary
of Education Arne Duncan and White House CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley, to
announce the first-ever District Sustainability Award and the
honorees for the Green Ribbon Schools program. Schools are honored
for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and
utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective
environmental education, including civics and green career pathways.
· On April 22, Acting Administrator Perciasepe will also participate in
throwing the first pitch at the Washington National's baseball game
as part of the team's Earth Day activities and EPA's "Score One for
the Environment!" campaign, encouraging Americans to take action in
recycling and protecting the environment. Additional "Score One for
the Environment" activities are taking place at stadiums across the
U.S. on Earth Day.
· On April 23, representatives from EPA's Office of Air and Radiation,
including Energy Star, SunWise, the Climate Change Division, and the
Clean Air Markets Division will participate in an Earth Day event at
Union Station.
· This week, EPA will announce winners of the first-ever Campus
RainWorks Challenge, focused on stormwater infrastructure. Assistant
Administrator for the Office of Water Nancy Stoner and Region 5
Administrator Susan Hedman plan to attend events at the winning
campuses.
· Throughout April, EPA and fellow federal agencies will hold
activities in the Washington, DC area including:
o April 23-25: Electronics Collection - a collection of
personal/home electronic devices, which will be delivered to a
certified electronics recycler.
o April 23: Four Mile Run Stream Cleanup - a shoreline stream
cleanup in Arlington.
o April 24: Prescription Drug Take Back Day - a collection of
expired or unwanted medications for safe and proper disposal.
o April 25: Earth Day Fair and Recycling Collection - a meeting
with the public and local and federal organizations to learn
more about climate change and sustainability in homes, offices
and communities.
Regional Activities Include:
· On April 22, Region 1 Administrator Curt Spalding, will throw the
first pitch at the Boston Red Sox Climate Neutral Game and staff are
volunteering for the Fenway Park/Red Sox "green team" -- collecting
recyclables from the fans throughout the game.
· On April 22, Region 3 Administrator Shawn Garvin, will participate in
the Wilmington Earth Day Event, a Waste Wise Signing agreement with a
construction recycling firm in Philadelphia on April 24, a listening
session regarding the Healthy Homes Initiative on April 26, and
Temple University's Green Initiatives Awards Ceremony on April 29.
Staff will participate in Temple University's Ambler EarthFest 2013
Outreach event on April 26 and an outreach effort at the 30th Street
Train Station on April 22.
· On April 23, Region 4 Administrator Gwen Fleming, along with
volunteers from EPA, the City of Atlanta, nonprofit organizations and
businesses will participate in the Atlanta Earth Day Cleanup
Challenge.
· On April 22, Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman, will award first
prize to a winner of EPA's first Campus RainWorks Challenge for their
innovative work on green infrastructure systems to mitigate the
impact of urban stormwater.
· Region 6 staff will participate in Earth Day Dallas and Oak Cliff
Earth Day, a grassroots effort in Lake Cliff Park.
· Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks, will participate in
recycling/food recovery efforts with the St. Louis Cardinals on April
29.
· On April 22, Region 8 Acting Administrator Howard Cantor, will
deliver the keynote address for a Sustainability Fair on the Denver
Auraria campus and regional staff will participate in Denver's Earth
Day Fair.
· Region 9 Administrator Jared Blumenfeld will speak at a global
warming conference in Marin County on April 22, participate in a
panel discussion at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco about
reducing, reusing, and recycling on April 23 and a panel discussion
at the Tribal Water Summit in Sacramento on April 25. On April 29,
Administrator Blumenfeld will present an Energy Star award to PG&E in
San Francisco.
· On April 22, Region 10 Administrator Dennis McLerran will participate
in the grand opening of the Bullitt Foundation's new building in
Seattle touted as the greenest commercial building in the world. The
Bullitt foundation is headed by founder of the first Earth Day.
Join the April 22 live Twitter chat:
http://www.epa.gov/earthday/askepa.html
Attend an event or volunteer: http://www.epa.gov/earthday/events.htm
More information on Earth Day at EPA:
http://www.epa.gov/earthday/index.html
