Oil Spill
Feds oppose bid to delay BP rig supervisors' trial
Posted on September 11, 2013 at 7:06 am
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — Justice Department prosecutors have urged a federal judge to
reject a request to postpone the manslaughter trial of two BP supervisors
who worked on the rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/09/11/feds-oppose-bid-to-delay-bp-rig-supervisors-trial/
BP objects to settlement claims office's quarterly budget again, demands
$25.5 million cut
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
September 12, 2013 at 4:14 AM
BP asked a federal judge on Wednesday to cut by $25.5 million the proposed
fourth quarter budget for the Court Supervised Settlement Program that
administers private economic and medical claims stemming from the BP
Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2013/09/bp_objects_to_settlement_claim.html
State
Marine Resources Department Asks for Feedback on Drilling
MPB
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is asking for public
feedback as it reviews the state's offshore drilling rules. It's the next
step as the state moves closer to setting the date of an offshore lease
sale.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/marine_resources_department_asks_for_feedback_on_drilling
Mississippi still has $872 million to spend from $5.5 billion in Katrina
recovery funds
The Associated Press
September 12, 2013 at 6:20 AM
By JEFF AMY
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Eight years after Hurricane Katrina slammed the
Gulf Coast, Mississippi still hasn't spent almost $1 billion in federal
money dedicated to recovery from the storm.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/09/mississippi_still_has_872_mill.html#incart_river
Ridgeland Installs Solar Powered Compactors
Device communicates with city
Madison County Herald
Ridgeland, Miss.-The City of Ridgeland recently purchased five
solar-powered recycling compactors. These compactors have been placed in
public locations to enhance recycling efforts. You can find them at the
concession stands at Freedom Ridge Park and at the trailhead pavilion of
the Ridgeland Multiuse Trail.
http://www.mcherald.com/article/20130910/NEWS/309100003/Ridgeland-Installs-Solar-Powered-Compactors
National
EPA Plan to Curb New Coal-Fired Power Plants
Agency Ready to Require Costly, Novel Equipment to Capture Greenhouse
Emissions
Wall Street Journal
By KEITH JOHNSON and TENNILLE TRACY
WASHINGTON—The Obama administration plans to block the construction of new
coal-fired power plants unless they are built with novel and expensive
technology to capture greenhouse-gas emissions, according to people
familiar with a draft proposal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323864604579069550916021262.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
EPA to revise climate rule for new power plants; will still require carbon
capture
Washington Post
By Juliet Eilperin,
This month, the Environmental Protection Agency will propose standards that
will establish stricter pollution limits for gas-fired power plants than
coal-fired power plants, according to individuals who were briefed on the
matter but asked not to be identified because the rule was not public yet.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/epa-to-revise-climate-rule-for-new-power-plants-will-still-require-carbon-capture/2013/09/11/89a78558-1b1e-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_print.html
Utilities fret about 'unrealistic' emissions rules
The Hill
By Julian Hattem - 09/11/13 11:30 AM ET
Electric utilities are concerned that limits on greenhouse gas emissions
from new power plants will be set at "unrealistic" levels.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/pending-regs/321607-utilities-weigh-in-on-power-plant-emissions-rule-
White House backs Senate energy efficiency bill
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 09/11/13 03:08 PM ET
The White House on Wednesday backed the bipartisan energy efficiency bill
that's on the Senate floor.
In a lengthy statement that doubled as a promotion for President Obama's
energy agenda, the White House said the bill "complements key energy
efficiency dimensions of the President's Climate Action Plan."
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/321683-white-house-backs-senate-energy-efficiency-bill-cheers-white-house-agenda
Iowa agrees with EPA to boost farm inspections
AP
By David Pitt September 11, 2013
(Embedded image moved to file: pic00041.jpg)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials will inspect more livestock farms
and strictly enforce penalties when manure leaks into rivers or streams
under a federal agreement signed Wednesday stemming from a yearslong
dispute about enforcing the U.S. Clean Water Act.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-09-11/iowa-agrees-with-epa-to-boost-farm-inspections
Former U.S. EPA head says a million emails made her desperate for relief
Reuters
By Valerie Volcovici
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When she was the top U.S. environmental regulator, a
new email dropped into Lisa Jackson's inbox every 30 seconds around the
clock on average. On Tuesday she told Congress that she didn't create a
second email using her dog's name to subvert regulations but to survive the
extreme overload.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130910/former-us-epa-head-says-million-emails-made-her-desperate-relie
Study: Wind farms killed 67 eagles in 5 years
AP
Wind energy facilities have killed at least 67 golden and bald eagles in
the last five years, but the figure could be much higher, according to a
new scientific study by government biologists.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/11/study-wind-farms-killed-67-eagles-in-5-years/?test=latestnews
Honolulu Harbor molasses spill could have long-term effects on marine life
CNN
A massive molasses spill this week in Honolulu Harbor is likely to have a
long-term impact on fish and other marine wildlife, experts say.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/12/us/hawaii-molasses-spill/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Press releases
EPA Awards 2013 Environmental Justice Small Grants
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced a total of $1.1 million in competitive grants to 39 non-profit
and tribal organizations working to address environmental justice issues
nationwide. The grants will enable the organizations to develop solutions
to local health and environmental issues in low-income, minority and tribal
communities overburdened by harmful pollution.
"EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants are making a visible difference
in communities across the country," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy
who announced the grants today. "These grants help build capacity, raise
awareness, and equip communities with the tools to address environmental
challenges – from climate change impacts to brownfields and water
pollution. I'm proud to continue to promote these important grants and
advance EPA's long-term commitment to our community stakeholders."
The 2013 grants support activities that address a range of community
concerns such as reducing exposure to indoor environmental asthma triggers,
restoring and protecting waterways, educating child care professionals on
ways to prevent lead poisoning, and reducing pesticide use in child care
facilities.
Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful
involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the
environmental decision-making process. Since 1994, EPA's environmental
justice small grants program has supported projects to address
environmental justice issues in more than 1,400 communities. The grant
awards represent EPA's commitment to promoting community-based actions to
address environmental justice issues.
In the fall of 2013, EPA will issue a Request for Proposals for the FY 2014
Collaborative Problem Solving Grants. A schedule of pre-application
community stakeholder teleconference calls will be announced at that time.
2013 EJ Small Grant recipients and project descriptions:
http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/publications/grants/ej-smgrants-recipients-2013.pdf
More information about EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants program:
http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html
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| USDA Awards Funds to Promote Development of Rural Wood to Energy Projects |
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|Partnership agreement part of the Obama administration's 'All of the Above' |
| energy strategy |
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|WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today |
|announced a partnership agreement to expand wood energy use, which will help|
|improve the safety and health of our nation's forests. The new partnership |
|includes USDA, the Alliance for Green Heat, the Biomass Power Association, |
|the Biomass Thermal Energy Council, and the Pellet Fuels Institute. |
| |
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|He also announced more than $1.1 million in grants are being awarded to five|
|organizations to form state-wide teams that will stimulate development of |
|wood energy projects. |
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|"Today's announcements will help us find innovative ways to use leftover |
|wood to create renewable energy and support good jobs in rural America," |
|Vilsack said. "Wood to Energy efforts are a part of our 'all of the above' |
|energy strategy. Appropriately scaled wood energy facilities also support |
|our efforts to remove hazardous fuels and reduce the risks of catastrophic |
|wildfires." |
| |
| |
|Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden joined leaders from the Alliance for Green |
|Heat, the Biomass Power Association, the Biomass Thermal Energy Council, and|
|the Pellet Fuels Institute today in Washington for the announcement of the |
|new partnership agreement. |
| |
| |
|The partnership agreement focuses on promoting wood energy nationwide as a |
|means to address fire risk, bolster rural economic development, improve air |
|quality and help meet the Obama Administration's renewable energy and energy|
|efficiency goals. These organizations support the use of wood energy across |
|the scale of users – from residential users, to commercial and institutional|
|facilities, to industrial production of heat and/or electricity to drive |
|businesses and feed the electrical grid. |
| |
| |
|Under the terms of the five grants announced today, private, state and |
|federal organizations will work together to stimulate the development of |
|additional wood energy projects in their states. Collectively, $2.9 million |
|will be spent on this effort – $1.1 million in federal funds and $1.8 |
|million in non-federal funds. Grant recipients are: |
| |
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| · Idaho Governor's Office of Energy Resources, Boise |
| |
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| · The Watershed Research & Training Center, Hayfork, Calif. |
| |
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| · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Saint Paul |
| |
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| · North Country Resource Conservation & Development Council, Gilford, |
| N.H. |
| |
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| · The Alaska Energy Authority, Anchorage |
| |
| |
|For more information on the cooperative agreement program, visit |
|http://na.fs.fed.us/werc/wood-energy/. |
| |
| |
|The announcement supports President Obama's plan for rural America, which |
|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 Secretary 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. |
| |
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Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Department Release Fuel Economy
Tool for Used Vehicles
WASHINGTON – As part of the Obama Administration's ongoing efforts to
increase fuel efficiency, reduce carbon pollution and address climate
change, the U.S. Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) today released a new label that features EPA fuel economy estimates
and CO2 estimates for used vehicles sold in the United States since 1984.
Consumers may create the new label electronically as part of a new tool on
FuelEconomy.gov. This electronic graphic can be downloaded and included in
online advertisements on the web, while the paper label may be printed and
affixed to the vehicle window. As a vehicle's fuel economy changes very
little over a typical 15-year life with proper maintenance, the original
EPA fuel economy estimate remains the best indicator of a used vehicle's
average gas mileage.
"Making fuel economy information more easily accessible can help Americans
save money at the gas pump and reduce carbon pollution," said EPA Acting
Administrator for Air and Radiation Janet McCabe. "Buying any vehicle is
an investment, and the information on these labels will help consumers make
informed decisions and calculate the cost of ownership."
"Fuel efficient vehicles cut carbon pollution, reduce our dependence on
foreign oil and help American families and businesses save money," said
Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David
Danielson. "The new fuel economy label gives consumers an easy, quick way
to get the information they need to find the used vehicle that's right for
them."
The Obama Administration has taken unprecedented steps to improve the fuel
efficiency of vehicles sold in the U.S., establishing the toughest fuel
economy standards for passenger vehicles in U.S. history. These standards
are expected to save consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump -- or more than
$8,000 in costs over the lifetime of each vehicle – and eliminate six
billion metric tons of carbon pollution.
All new vehicles now include a comprehensive fuel economy and environmental
window sticker from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including
passenger vehicles that meet the new fuel economy standards. With the
FuelEconomy.gov tool released today, used vehicle sellers can provide
potential buyers with comparable fuel economy information. Last year, over
40 million used cars were sold in the United States – roughly three times
the number of new cars sold in 2012.
Used vehicles' information will also be available on FuelEconomy.gov in
addition to annual fuel cost and petroleum use estimates. Individual fuel
economy will vary for many reasons. Visit FuelEconomy.gov for
personalization tools. Consumers can also view gas mileage estimates from
other drivers with the same vehicle year model and configuration.
More information on the used vehicle tool is available at
