6.28.13
Oil Spill
Determining how much oil spilled from BP's Gulf well 'not an easy task,'
judge says
Richard Thompson
The Times-Picayune
June 27, 2013 at 8:28 PM
Determining how much oil was released from BP's runaway Macondo well during
the 86 days crude flowed into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 will be a
challenge, the federal judge overseeing the sprawling civil trial said
during a status conference Thursday.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/06/determining_how_much_oil_spill.html
Unsealed BP report could slash Gulf oil spill penalties by billions
Houston Chronicle
A London petroleum engineering professor hired by BP claims the U.S.
government overestimated by 50 percent the amount of oil that spewed from
the company's undersea Gulf of Mexico well in 2010. The finding could cut
the maximum Clean Water Act penalties BP faces by up to $7 billion.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/06/27/bp-experts-report-could-cut-gulf-oil-spill-penalties-by-up-to-7b/
How BP Got Screwed on Gulf Oil Spill Claims
Bloomberg
Until this year, Tampa attorney Kevin McLean specialized in suing nursing
homes for neglecting patients. In January he switched the focus of his
practice to a fund BP (BP)established to compensate business losses from
the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-06-27/how-bp-got-screwed-on-gulf-oil-spill-claims#p2
State News
Officials try and contain an oil spill near the Wayne-Clarke county line
WDAM
Dozens of emergency crews are on the scene of a significant oil spill near
the Wayne-Clarke county line.
http://www.wdam.com/story/22707724/significant-oil-spill-near-the-wayne-clark-county-line
Mississippi's beaches ranked 19th of 30 in US in water quality
Sun Herald
By TAMMY LEYTHAMand KAREN NELSON — SUN HERALD
Alabama beaches in Gulf Shores and at the Gulf State Park Pavilion have
been ranked top in the country by the Natural Resources Defense Council's
annual report "Testing the Waters."
Mississippi beaches ranked 19th in water quality, out of 30 states
reporting.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/06/27/4764963/mississippis-beaches-ranked-19th.html
Gulf Dead Zone Worries Fishing Industry Experts
MPB
BY EVELINA BURNETT | PUBLISHED 27 JUN 2013 10:16AM-
Scientists are predicting that this summer's dead zone in the northern Gulf
of Mexico will measure 8500 square miles – the size of New Jersey.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/gulf_dead_zone_worries_fishing_industry_experts
DMR relies on oyster shells, coconut logs to stop Deer Island erosion
WLOX
A unique project that uses natural materials to the save the shores of Deer
Island is already making a difference. In February, the Department of
Marine Resources made mesh bags from chicken wire and filled them with
oyster shells. Those manmade bags are in place and ready to help protect
Deer Island from erosion.
http://www.wlox.com/story/22707699/dmr-relies-on-oyster-shells-coconut-logs-to-save-shores-of-deer-island
US Geological Survey to shut down streamgauges
By Alexandra Hedrick,
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE — The United States Geological Survey has shut down 375
streamgauges nationwide, including the streamgauge on the Jourdan River at
Kiln in Hancock County. The closing of the gauges is due to sequestration
that went into effect in April.
http://picayuneitem.com/local/x1320120329/US-Geological-Survey-to-shut-down-streamgauges
Wood pellet manufacturer to invest $115 million in George County
WLOX
Green Circle Bio Energy will invest $115 million in George County.
Representatives with Green Circle Bio Energy just announced the company is
locating an energy wood pellet manufacturing facility in the George County
Industrial Park.
http://www.wlox.com/story/22704803/new-industry-jobs-coming-to-george-county
Furloughs at Vicksburg U.S. Army ERDC expected in weeks
AP
VICKSBURG, MISS. — About 1,050 employees at the U.S. Army Engineer Research
and Development Center in Vicksburg and three other locations expect to be
furloughed one day a week beginning July 8 through Sept. 30.
http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20130628/NEWS/130628001/Furloughs-Vicksburg-U-S-Army-ERDC-expected-weeks-
National News
River mayors press on despite Farm Bill failure in House
by Associated Press
Published: June 27,2013
MISSISSIPPI RIVER — Leaders of the Mississippi River Cities & Towns
Initiative (MRCTI), a mayoral-led effort to create a coordinated voice for
the Mississippi River, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi
Valley Division, have signed a memorandum of common purpose (MOCP) in
support of meeting today's challenges facing the Mississippi River as well
as the collaborative actions needed to address them.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2013/06/27/river-mayors-press-on-despite-farm-bill-failure-in-house/
Fracking critics unhappy with Obama climate speech
AP
PITTSBURGH — President Barack Obama's speech this week on climate change
forcefully rejected some key arguments made by opponents of natural gas
fracking, upsetting some environmental groups that otherwise back his
climate goals.
http://online.wsj.com/article/AP713e9458d59e45fb82d86ce52df7556d.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Energy Secretary Optimistic on Obama's Plan to Reduce Emissions
NY Times
By MATTHEW L. WALD
WASHINGTON — The short-term plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that
President Obama outlined this week is achievable with some new programs and
better management of existing ones, the new energy secretary, Ernest J.
Moniz, said in an interview on Thursday. But he said reaching a longer-term
goal would require bigger reductions as well as action from Congress.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/us/politics/energy-secretary-optimistic-on-obamas-plan-to-reduce-emissions.html?ref=earth&_r=0&pagewanted=print
Industry to EPA: Pull back "reckless" gas sulfur regs
The Hill
By Ben Goad - 06/27/13 01:28 PM ET
The American Petroleum Institute (API) on Thursday called upon the
Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw draft regulations that would
require lower sulfur content in gasoline.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energyenvironment/308231-industry-to-epa-pull-back-reckless-gas-sulfur-regs-
Opinion
SUN HERALD | Editorial: What was 'inaccurate' about DMR reports?
Late Wednesday, media outlets along the Coast received the following
statement attached to an email from the law firm of Baker, Donelson,
Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz in Jackson:
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/06/27/4764742/sun-herald-editorial-what-was.html
BP America President JOHN C. MING: BP oil spill settlement should be
limited to legitimate claimants
By JOHN C. MINGE — A Sun Herald Forum
For the past three years, BP has worked with the people of the Gulf to help
restore the region's environment and economy. It's been a big job, and
we've tried to do the right thing and honor our commitments.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/06/27/4764267/bp-america-president-john-c-ming.html
Press Releases
Green Circle Bio Energy Locating Wood Pellet Manufacturing Operations
in George County, Miss.
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss.—Officials from Green Circle Bio Energy have announced
the company is locating an energy wood pellet manufacturing facility in the
George County Industrial Park. The project represents a company investment
of $115 million and will create 126 jobs with the potential of up to 141.
The majority of the project's jobs will be at the George County facility
with the remainder being at the Port of Pascagoula. Additional temporary
jobs will also be created during plant construction.
The facility is expected to be operational by spring 2015 and will produce
wood pellets for shipment from the Port of Pascagoula to European markets
to be sold to electric generating facilities as a renewable alternative to
coal. Initially, the plant will have the capacity to produce 500,000 tons
of wood pellets per year.
"Green Circle's decision to locate these operations in George County is
great news for the entire state, and I am proud to welcome the company as
the newest member of Mississippi's business community," Gov. Phil Bryant
said. "I appreciate the Green Circle team for placing their confidence in
our supportive business climate, investing in our state and creating these
job opportunities for the residents of south Mississippi. I wish the
company many years of success in Lucedale."
"We are looking forward to being a part of George County and its future
economic growth. The Industrial Park is the ideal location for our
expansion. It's inside a large wood basket area, and it's close to the Port
of Pascagoula, which will export the wood pellets," said Morten Neraas, CEO
of Green Circle Bio Energy. "Our relationships with the Board of
Supervisors and the Port of Pascagoula led us to George County."
The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the
project for infrastructure needs at the project site. George County
provided assistance for the project, as well.
"Mississippi has an abundance of natural resources that attract companies
such as Green Circle Bio Energy to the state, and MDA is proud to welcome
this great company to George County," said MDA Executive Director Brent
Christensen. "We are grateful to the George County Board of Supervisors,
the City of Lucedale, the Southern Planning and Development District and
our utility partners who worked so diligently to bring Green Circle to
Mississippi."
Headquartered in Cottondale, Fla., Green Circle Bio Energy produces
biomass-based renewable energy. The company operates in an international
market for carbon neutral energy. The company's wood pellets are grown in
sustainable forests in the Southeastern U.S. To learn more, please visit
www.greencirclebio.com.
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