4.25.13
Oil Spill
Hood wants BP suit to be tried in state, not federal, court
Sun Herald
By MICHAEL NEWSOM — mmnewsom@sunherald.com
GULFPORT -- Attorney General Jim Hood said Mississippi's best hope is to
keep a pending lawsuit against BP over the 2010 oil spill in state court,
but he fears it could get bogged down in federal court.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/04/24/4618825/hood-wants-bp-suit-to-be-tried.html
BP oil spill trial: Federal judge issues order outlining key questions
By Richard Thompson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
April 24, 2013 at 6:10 PM
The federal judge overseeing the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill litigation
issued an order Wednesday (April 24) outlining what he believes are the key
questions from the first phase of the sprawling civil trial, which wrapped
up a week ago.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/04/bp_oil_spill_trial_federal_jud.html
Oil spill judge Carl Barbier wants to know: What is gross negligenct?
The Associated Press
April 24, 2013 at 7:55 PM
NEW ORLEANS -- The judge who will allocate responsibility for the 2010 Gulf
of Mexico oil spill has told lawyers to give him their views about whether
a series of negligent acts can add up to gross negligence.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/04/oil_spill_judge_carl_barbier_w.html#incart_river
Gulf oil spill judge poses questions on gross negligence issue
Houston Chronicle
The federal judge who must decide whether BP and its partners were grossly
negligent in connection with the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill is offering
some clues as to how he will formulate his decision.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/04/24/gulf-oil-spill-judge-poses-questions-on-gross-negligence-issue/
Senate passes bill with local control of RESTORE money intact
Pensacola News Journal
A bill that addresses potential money coming to Florida in relation to the
2010 BP oil spill passed the state Senate Appropriations Committee with a
change that will protect local governments' decision making abilities.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20130423/NEWS/130423017/Nelson-weighs-RESTORE-flap
State News
Natchez recycling plan begins soon
The Associated Press
NATCHEZ, MISS. — Natchez residents will soon have the opportunity to go
green earlier than expected.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/04/25/4619280/natchez-recycling-plan-begins.html
Recycling Service
Panolian
By Billy Davis
Panola County Solid Waste has officially jumped into the recycling
business.
County Administrator Kelley Magee announced the recycling service was in
operation when she appeared at the April 16 meeting of Batesville's mayor
and Board of Aldermen.
http://www.panolian.com/contentitem/256524/1180/recycling-service-42313
Drug drop-off program returns Saturday
Itawamba County Times
Fulton Police Chief Reggie Johnson said the prescription pill drop-off
program helps alleviate drug abuse in Itawamba County.
"Prescription drug abuse is probably one of our biggest drug problems,"
said Fulton Police Chief Reggie Johnson. "It's just growing in leaps and
bounds."
The reason prescription drug abuse is on the rise, he said, is because
prescription drugs are both easy to come by and crimes involving them are
difficult to prove. The best solution: Proper disposal.
http://itawambatimes.com/2013/04/25/drug-drop-off-program-returns-saturday/
County looking to buy land from alternative fuel company
by Associated Press
Published: April 24,2013
NATCHEZ — Adams County officials are continuing talks on buying the former
International Paper site from Rentech.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2013/04/24/county-looking-to-buy-land-from-alternative-fuel-company/
Fashion show gives discarded items 2nd chance
Clarion Ledger
Kosciusko native Phyllis Robinson, 45, has always loved fashion.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130424/NEWS01/304240026
National News
EPA employees hit with up to 10 furlough days; less than anticipated
Washington Post
By Lisa Rein, Updated: April 24, 2013
Employees at the Environmental Protection Agency finally have definitive
word on the number of furlough days they will be forced to take under the
budget cuts known as sequestration.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2013/04/24/epa-employees-hit-with-up-to-10-furlough-days-less-than-anticipated/
EPA: We're not spying on people
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 04/24/13 12:38 PM ET
The acting chief of the Environmental Protection Agency sparred with GOP
senators Wednesday over the use of aerial surveillance to help guide
enforcement of water pollution laws in farm country.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/295851-epa-were-not-spying-on-people-or-animals
EPA chief: Permit vetoes aren't used 'frivolously'
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 04/24/13 10:44 AM ET
The acting head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought to
reassure lawmakers Wednesday that the agency doesn't plan to make a habit
of vetoing previously issued permits for mining and other projects.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/295785-epa-chief-permit-vetoes-arent-used-frivolously
Slow Start on Environment in Second Obama Term
NY Times
By JOHN BRODER
SHORTLY after winning re-election in November, President Obama promised
assertive leadership on climate change and energy. In his State of the
Union address in February, he vowed that if the assembled lawmakers failed
to pass broad climate legislation, he would act unilaterally.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/business/energy-environment/slow-start-on-environment-in-obamas-2nd-term.html?ref=earth
Cuts would jeopardize dead zone research
Houma Today
Published: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 9:21 p.m.
A long-running project aimed at mapping the annual dead zone that forms off
Louisiana's coast each summer could be in jeopardy because of federal
budget cuts.http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20130424/ARTICLES/130429785
Green groups seeing red over Boxer's water bill
Politico
By: Burgess Everett
April 25, 2013 05:05 AM EDT
Green groups are trying to knock a massive water bill off the fast track in
the Senate, outraged about so-called environmental streamlining provisions
that they say would use punitive fines to pressure agencies into approving
potentially damaging and wasteful projects.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/green-groups-see-red-over-boxers-water-bill-90580.html?hp=r5
Many coal sludge impoundments have weak walls, federal study says
Washington Post
By Juliet Eilperin and Steven Mufson, Published: April 24
Many of the man-made ponds for storing toxic sludge from coal mining
operations have dangerously weak walls because of poor construction
methods, according to the synopsis of a study for the Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement obtained by The Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/many-coal-sludge-impoundments-have-weak-walls-federal-study-says/2013/04/24/76c5be2a-acf9-11e2-a8b9-2a63d75b5459_story.html
Opinion
Delivering 'Big Ethanol' a reality check on RINs
Politico
By: Charles Drevna
April 24, 2013 09:31 PM EDT
The adverse impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard on consumers, a range of
industries and the environment are becoming increasingly apparent to
lawmakers and Americans across the nation. In response, the corn ethanol
lobby is shouting propaganda in an attempt to divert attention from its
faulty information and brittle arguments — most recently evident in an
April 17 ("Setting the Record Straight on U.S. Gas Prices") POLITICO op-ed.
But it is time for Big Ethanol to have a reality check.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/energy-ethanol-corn-fuel-90583.html?hp=l16
Press Releases
EPA to Hold 2013 National Brownfields Conference at Georgia World Congress
Center
Contact Information: James Pinkney, (404) 562-9183 (Direct), (404) 562-8400
(Main) pinkney.james@epa.gov
(ATLANTA – April 24, 2013) Thousands of environmental and economic
development officials, finance and insurance providers, risk managers,
planners, attorneys, civil engineers and students are expected to attend
the U.S. EPA and ICMA co-sponsored National Brownfields Conference, May
15-17, 2013, at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Addressing the nation's brownfields - abandoned or underutilized properties
stigmatized by past commercial or industrial uses - is an ongoing challenge
for communities of every size. By focusing on redevelopment, properties
are put back into productive use for communities while helping to keep
undeveloped lands in a natural state.
The National Brownfields Conference's Educational Program features more
than 100 sessions on sustainable remediation, smart growth, green jobs,
creative financing and financial risk management, community and economic
development, environmental assessment and cleanup, public health, cleanup
and redevelopment of properties, and much more. Over 150 exhibitors will
display the latest technologies and services, and mobile workshops and
walking tours of Atlanta are also included.
A unique conference feature is the Economic Redevelopment Forum, which
brings together property owners with developers, investors and financiers
to talk about specific brownfields properties available for purchase, reuse
and redevelopment. This fast-paced interactive forum is a must attend
brownfields event for corporate asset managers, economic development
officials, real estate professionals, and others. A variety of properties
will be available ranging from former manufacturing plants, to vacant and
abandoned commercial buildings and lots. Many of these properties may be
eligible for a host of local, state and even federal redevelopment
incentives.
Whether you're a newcomer to the world of economic and environmental
redevelopment, or a seasoned professional looking to make new connections
and increase your business, Brownfields 2013 offers something for you.
For more information visit: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/bfconf.htm
EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe, Testimony Before the Senate
Appropriations Committee
WASHINGTON -- As prepared for delivery.
Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Murkowski , and members of the Committee,
thank you once again for the opportunity to appear before you to discuss
the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget. I'm
joined by the Agency's Acting Chief Financial Officer, Maryann Froehlich.
The President's Fiscal Year 2014 Budget demonstrates that we can make
critical investments to strengthen the middle class, create jobs, and grow
the economy while continuing to cut the deficit in a balanced way. The
Budget also incorporates the President's compromise offer to House Speaker
Boehner to achieve another $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction in a balance
way. By including this compromise proposal in the Budget, the President is
demonstrating his willingness to make tough choices. EPA's budget request
of $8.153 billion for the 2014 fiscal year starting October 1, 2013
reflects our ongoing efforts to change the way EPA does business –to invest
in more efficient ways for the Agency to operate, to further reduce costs
wherever possible all while we preserve and enhance our ability to carry
out the Agency's core mission to protect human health and the environment.
The President's budget reinforces our firm commitment to keeping American
communities clean and healthy, while also taking into consideration the
difficult fiscal situation and the declining resources of state, local and
tribal programs.
EPA's requested budget will allow us to continue making progress toward
cleaner air, addressing climate change, protecting the nation's waters,
supporting sustainable water infrastructure and protecting lands and
assuring the safety of chemicals.
It is the product of long discussions and difficult choices. In the end, we
believe this budget will enable us to work toward the Agency's goals as
effectively and efficiently as possible.
Let me run through a few highlights from the President's FY 2014 budget
request.
Despite the fiscal challenges we face, supporting our state and tribal
partners, the primary implementers of environmental programs, remains a
priority of the EPA. Funding for states and tribes through the State and
Tribal Assistance Grants – or STAG – account is once again the largest
percentage of the EPA's budget request – at nearly 40 percent in FY 2014.
The FY 2014 budget includes a total of $1.14 billion in categorical grants.
We have requested a $60 million investment in an agency-wide initiative to
develop new tools and expand systems designed to reduce the regulatory
reporting burden on regulated entities, and provide EPA, states, and the
public with easier access to environmental data for compliance monitoring
and other purposes. This new initiative is fully paid for, so does not add
a single dime to the deficit.
This project – what we call "E-Enterprise" – would enable businesses to
conduct environmental business transactions with regulators electronically
through a single interactive portal, similar to online banking. The
paperwork and regulatory reporting burden would be reduced thanks to more
efficient collection, reporting, and use of data, in addition to regulatory
revisions to eliminate redundant or obsolete information requests. The
initiative will encourage greater transparency and compliance.
The result will be widespread savings – for industry and for the states and
tribes. For example, E-Enterprise builds on efforts such as the e-manifest
system which is projected to reduce reporting costs for regulated
businesses by up to a range of $77 - $126 million annually, because it
replaces the millions of paper manifests for hazardous waste shipments with
a modern tracking and reporting system.
The FY 2014 request also includes $176.5 million to support the agency's
work with partners and stakeholders to address greenhouse gas emissions and
its impacts. These funds will help reduce emissions – both domestically and
internationally – through careful, cost-effective rulemaking and voluntary
programs that focus on the largest entities and encourage businesses and
consumers to limit unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions.
Some of this funding will support existing, successful approaches like
ENERGY STAR, the Global Methane Initiative, the GHG Reporting Rule, and
state and local technical assistance and partnership programs, such as
SmartWay. $20 million will go towards research, so we can better understand
the impacts of climate change on human health and vulnerable ecosystems.
Our requested budget contains $175 million to support our Clean Air
Act-mandated work to develop, implement and review air quality standards
and guidance. This funding will also allow EPA to enhance our support to
our state, local and Tribal partners to implement the programs.
Nutrient pollution is one of the nation's most widespread and challenging
environmental problems. To assist in tackling this challenge, EPA is
requesting an increase of $15 million in Clean Water Act Section 106 Water
Pollution Control grant funding to support states, interstate agencies and
tribes that commit to strengthening their nutrient management efforts.
Ensuring that federal dollars provided through the State Revolving Funds
support effective and efficient system-wide planning remains a priority for
EPA. The FY 2014 budget request includes $1.1 billion for the Clean Water
State Revolving Fund and $817 million for the Drinking WaterSRF. This money
will also assist EPA efforts to expand and institutionalize the use of
up-front planning that considers a full range of infrastructure
alternatives like "green" infrastructure, so that the right investments are
made at the right time, and at the lowest life-cycle cost. This budget
request will allow the SRFs to finance approximately $6 billion in
wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects annually.
In FY 2014, the agency is requesting over $1.34 billion for its land
cleanup programs to continue to apply the most effective approaches to
preserve and restore our country's land. This money will go towards
developing and implementing prevention programs, improving response
capabilities, and maximizing the effectiveness of response and cleanup
actions. The agency is also renewing its request to reinstate the Superfund
tax in order to provide a stable, dedicated source of revenue for the
Superfund Trust Fund and to restore the historic nexus that parties who
benefit from the manufacture or sale of substances that commonly
contaminate hazardous waste sites should bear the cost of cleanup when
viable potentially responsible parties cannot be identified.
Ensuring the safety of new or existing chemicals in commerce to protect the
American people is another top priority. Chemicals are used in the
production of everything from our homes and cars to the cell phones we
carry and the food we eat. The $686.2 million requested in FY 2014 will
allow EPA to continue managing the potential risks of new chemicals
entering commerce, without impacting progress in assessing and ensuring the
safety of existing chemicals. These resources encompass all efforts across
the agency associated specifically with ensuring chemical safety and
pollution prevention, including research and enforcement.
EPA's research budget provides $554 million to support critical research in
key areas, ranging from chemical safety to water sustainability to climate
and energy to human health. This research will help advance the
Administration's commitment to healthy communities and a clean energy
future.
Finally, let me discuss some steps we are taking to ensure taxpayer dollars
are going as far as they possibly can.
The budget includes $54 million in savings by eliminating several EPA
programs that have either completed their goals or can be implemented
through other federal or state efforts. Adding to these savings and
demonstrating a willingness to make tough choices, more than 20 EPA
programs, are being reduced by 10 percent or more in FY 2014.
EPA has also been laying the groundwork to ensure the best use of human
resources, which will continue in FY 2014. We will continue to analyze our
workforce needs to achieve the Agency's mission effectively and
efficiently. This is reflected in our FTE request for FY 2014, which is our
lowest in 20 years.
We also continue to look for opportunities to consolidate physical space
and reduce operating costs at our facilities nationwide. On-going
improvements in operating efficiency, combined with the use of advanced
technologies and energy sources, have reduced energy utilization and saved
nearly $6 million annually.
In FY 2014, we are requesting $17 million in the Building &Facilities
appropriation to accelerate space consolidation efforts, which will result
in long-term savings in rent and operating costs. By consolidating space,
we have, since 2006 released approximately 417 thousand square feet of
space at headquarters and facilities nationwide, resulting in a cumulative
annual rent avoidance of over $14.2 million.
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. While my
testimony reflects only some of the highlights of EPA's budget request, I
look forward answering your questions.
USDA and Dairy Producers Renew Agreement to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
and Increase Sustainability of Dairy Production
WASHINGTON, April 24, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today renewed a
historic agreement with U.S. dairy producers to accelerate the adoption of
innovative waste-to-energy projects and energy efficiency improvements on
U.S. dairy farms, both of which help producers diversify revenues and
reduce utility expenses on their operations.. The pact extends a Memorandum
of Understanding signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009.
"Through this renewed commitment, USDA and the Innovation Center for U.S.
Dairy will continue research that helps dairy farmers improve the
sustainability of their operations," Vilsack said. "This vital research
also will support the dairy industry as it works to reach its long-term
goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020."
The Secretary signed the agreement this afternoon at the White House and
was joined by representatives of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and
Dairy Management, including Thomas P. Gallagher, CEO of the center. One
objective of the MOU is to increase the construction of anaerobic digesters
and explore innovative ways to use products previously considered waste
streams from dairy production, processing and handling.
USDA support for agricultural and waste-to-energy research has played a key
role in the agreement's success to date. Since signing the MOU, USDA has
made nearly 180 awards that helped finance the development, construction,
and biogas production of anaerobic digester systems with Rural Development
programs, such as the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Bioenergy
Program for Advanced Biofuels, Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan
Program, Value Added Producer Grants, amongst others. These systems capture
methane and produce renewable energy for on-farm use and sale onto the
electric grid. Additionally, during this period, USDA awarded approximately
140 REAP loans and grants to help dairy farmers develop other types of
renewable energy and energy efficiency systems at their operations.
Also, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has provided
$257 million in funding since 2009 that has helped more than 6,000 dairy
farmers plan and implement conservation practices to improve
sustainability. NRCS support for the dairy industry has resulted in 354
on-farm and in-plant energy audits as well as 18 conservation innovation
grants for dairy-related projects during the past three years.
Anaerobic digester technology is a proven method of capturing methane from
waste products, such as manure, and converting into heat and electricity.
The technology utilizes generators that are fueled by the captured
methane.. Dairy operations with anaerobic digesters routinely generate
enough electricity to power hundreds of homes per year.
Gallagher added, "We have a long and strong relationship with USDA and
Secretary Vilsack, and dairy farmers and the dairy industry are very happy
that USDA is entering into the next MOU with the Innovation Center. We are
all interested in sustainable agriculture and producing good food
responsibly, while bolstering an important rural economy, and this new MOU
lays out the roadmap for more improvements. That's good for dairy, good for
the economy and good for consumers."
President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic
investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the
President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities,
businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue
leading the way – strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural
communities. USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way
of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. President Obama
and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are committed to a smarter use of
Federal resources to foster sustainable economic prosperity and ensure the
government is a strong partner for businesses, entrepreneurs and working
families in rural communities.
USDA has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability
of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and
improve the quality of life in rural America.
#
