9/13/2013
Oil Spill
BP takes heat for ads run on Sept. 11
Posted on September 12, 2013 at 4:10 pm by Harry R. Weber
Houston Chronicle
BP is taking heat for running full-page ads in New York and Washington,
D.C. newspapers on the anniversary of 9/11 asserting that fraud has plagued
the victims claims process following the 2010 Gulf oil spill.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2013/09/12/bps-ads-on-911-anniversary-blasting-gulf-oil-spill-claims-cause-stir/
State
Demo work on former local plant halted
WTVA
WEST POINT, Miss. (WTVA) - Work on demolishing the old Bryan Foods Plant in
West Point has come to a halt.
Due to asbestos, crews we're recently forced to stop working.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Demo-work-on-former-local-plant-halted/PJ-yGdsWPk6lelN-Sg4h2Q.cspx
Kemper power plant turbines fired
Sun Herald
By MARY PEREZ — meperez@sunherald.com
GULFPORT -- Mississippi Power has fired the two combustion turbines at the
Kemper County energy plant, which the company said is an important
milestone in construction of the facility.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/09/12/4947607/kemper-power-plant-turbines-fired.html
Regional
Mobile County judge considering request to dismiss Plains Southcap
condemnation lawsuit against MAWSS
Press-Register
John Sharp
September 12, 2013 at 12:15 PM
MOBILE, Alabama – The fate of whether Plains Southcap can pursue
condemnation of a portion of the Big Creek Lake watershed is in the hands
of Mobile County's Probate Court judge who on Thursday said he needs time
to analyze legal arguments from the company and the Mobile Area Water and
Sewer System.
http://blog.al.com/live/2013/09/mobile_county_judge_considerin.html#incart_river
Opinion
Don't believe coal industry's warnings about EPA rules
Bloomberg
The coal industry is warning that proposed federal regulations on new
coal-fired power plants will effectively ban their construction. To which
there are at least three rational responses: First, what new plants?
Second, probably not forever. Third, that might not be a bad thing.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130913/OPINION01/309130035/Don-t-believe-coal-industry-s-warnings-about-EPA-rules
Press releases
NOAA launches website holding millions of chemical analyses from Deepwater
Horizon oil spill
Includes data on underwater hydrocarbon plume, dispersants
September 12, 2013
NOAA announced the release yesterday of a comprehensive, quality-controlled
dataset that gives ready access to millions of chemical analyses and other
data on the massiveDeepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The dataset, collected to
support oil removal activities and assess the presence of dispersants,
wraps up a three year process that began with the gathering of water
samples and measurements by ships in the Gulf of Mexico during and after
the oil release in 2010.
NOAA was one of the principal agencies responding to the Macondo well
explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, and is the official ocean data archivist
for the federal government. While earlier versions of the data were made
available during and shortly after the response, it took three years for
NOAA employees and contractors to painstakingly catalog each piece of data
into this final form.
This Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill dataset, including more than two million
chemical analyses of sediment, tissue, water, and oil, as well as toxicity
testing results and related documentation, is available to the public
online at:
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon/specialcollections.html.
A companion dataset, including ocean temperature and salinity data,
currents, preliminary chemical results and other properties collected and
made available during the response can be found at:
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon/insitu.html.
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill response involved the collection of an
enormous dataset. The underwater plume of hydrocarbon -- a chemical
compound that consists only of the elements carbon and hydrogen -- was a
unique feature of the spill, resulting from a combination of high-pressure
discharge from the well near the seafloor and the underwater application of
chemical dispersant to break up the oil.
"The size and scope of this project -- the sheer number of ships and
platforms collecting data, and the broad range of data types -- was a real
challenge. In the end, it was a great example of what can be accomplished
when you bring together the expertise across NOAA, making this
quality-controlled information easily available to the general public for
the first time," said Margarita Gregg, Ph. D., director of the National
Oceanographic Data Center, which is part of NOAA's Satellite and
Information Service.
The effort to detect and track the plume was given to the Deepwater Horizon
Response Subsurface Monitoring Unit (SMU), led by NOAA's Office of Response
and Restoration, and included responders from many federal and state
agencies and British Petroleum (BP). Between May and November 2010, the SMU
coordinated data collection from 24 ships on 129 cruises.
The SMU data archived at NOAA's National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC)
is already being used by researchers at NOAA and in academia for a range of
studies, including models of oil plume movement and investigations of
subsurface oxygen anomalies. In addition to NODC, other parts of the NOAA
archive system such as NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center and the NOAA
Central Library contain important holdings. Recently, the library's
Deepwater Horizon Centralized Repository won recognition from the
Department of Justice "as one of the best successes in the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) world last year."
By law, these data will remain available through NOAA's archive systems for
at least 75 years. Additional data from the Deepwater Horizon/Macondo spill
can be found at the NOAA oil spill archive website:
http://www.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon/ and data collected in the on-going
Natural Resource Damage Assessment can be found at:
http://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/.
NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's
environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to
conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram and our other social media channels.
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2013/20130912_dwh.html
Southeast Diesel Collaborative Conference to be Held in Atlanta
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421,
harris-young.dawn@epa.gov
ATLANTA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will join a
consortium of federal, state and local government agencies, non-profit
organizations, and industry to hold the Southeast Diesel Collaborative
(SEDC) Eighth Annual Partners Meeting in Atlanta on September 17-18, 2013.
The SEDC will also host a preconference workshop on September 16th which
will focus on Planning for the Future of Freight Movement in the Southeast.
The SEDC is a public-private partnership composed of stakeholders from
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Tennessee.
The goal of the collaborative is to improve air quality and public health
by reducing emissions from existing diesel engines. The conference theme is
"Reconnecting Our Past and Present to Fuel our Future" and will focus on
nationally and regionally significant diesel emissions issues related to
freight, public fleets and nonroad areas. Topics also include: innovative
strategies, projects, and funding; outreach and collaboration; renewable
and alternative fueling for diesel engines; and future clean diesel
opportunities and funding.
On September 17th, this year's winners of the SEDC Annual Leadership awards
will be announced and recognized.
What: Southeast Diesel Collaborative Eighth Annual Partners Meeting
When: September 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Freight Movement in
the Southeast
September 17, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., SEDC Leadership Awards
at 9:30 a.m.
September 18, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Where: Holiday Inn Atlanta Capital Conference Center
450 Capital Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30312
How: Registration at www.southeastdiesel.org. There is no registration
fee to attend.
About the Southeast Diesel Collaborative (SEDC)
Organized in early 2006 by EPA Region 4, the Southeast Diesel Collaborative
has enjoyed unprecedented success in bringing together leaders from
federal, state and local governments, non-government organizations,
industry, and academia to reduce diesel engine emissions across the eight
southeastern states. Focused on promoting energy independence, a cleaner
environment and growing, sustainable economies, this partnership offers
wide ranging health and economic benefits across a broad range of sectors.
The Southeast Diesel Collaborative is part of EPA's National Clean Diesel
Campaign, a program combining regulatory measures with voluntary
initiatives to reduce the pollution emitted from diesel engines across the
country. Visit the Southeast Diesel Collaborative website at:
www.southeastdiesel.org.
Connect with EPA Region 4 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion4
And on Twitter: @USEPASoutheast
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| USDA Announces Support for Producers of Advanced Biofuel |
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|OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 12, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced |
|today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making payments to |
|support the production of advanced biofuel. USDA is making nearly $15.5 |
|million in payments to 188 producers through the Advanced Biofuel Payment |
|Program. USDA Rural Development Acting Under Secretary Doug O'Brien made the|
|announcement on Vilsack's behalf in Omaha, Neb., at the National Advanced |
|Biofuels Conference. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, |
|despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is |
|one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy. |
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|"Producing advanced biofuels is a major component of the drive to take |
|control of America's energy future by developing domestic, renewable energy |
|sources," O'Brien said. "These payments represent the Obama Administration's|
|commitment to support an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy." |
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|The funding is being provided through USDA's Advanced Biofuel Payment |
|Program, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under this program, |
|payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of advanced |
|biofuels produced from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. |
|Examples of eligible feedstocks include but are not limited to: crop |
|residue; animal, food and yard waste; vegetable oil; and animal fat. |
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|O'Brien noted that today's announcement serves as another reminder of the |
|importance of USDA programs for rural America and a reminder of the need for|
|Congress to get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill done as soon as |
|possible. |
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|"Job seekers in rural America need new and expanded investments in renewable|
|energy, biofuel and bio-based product manufacturing – all of which can help |
|create jobs in rural areas," said O'Brien. |
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|Through the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program and other USDA programs, the |
|department is working to support the research, investment and infrastructure|
|necessary to build a strong biofuels industry that creates jobs and broadens|
|the range of feedstocks used to produce renewable fuel. More than 290 |
|producers in 47 states and territories have received $211 million in |
|payments since the program's inception. It has supported the production of |
|more than 3 billion gallons of advanced biofuel and the equivalent of more |
|than 36 billion kilowatt hours of electric energy. |
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|For example, Riverview, LLP, a Minnesota-based company, will be receiving an|
|$8,040 payment to help offset the cost of producing electricity from two |
|anaerobic digesters. The two digesters use manure from two of the company's |
|dairy operations to produce electricity, which is sold to Great River |
|Energy. During the last quarter of 2012, the anaerobic digesters produced |
|almost 4.9 million kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to power more than |
|400 homes a year. |
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|American Biodiesel, Inc. (dba Community Fuels) in Encinitas, Calif., is |
|receiving a $47,186 payment for its quarterly production of biodiesel from a|
|variety of sources, including canola and soybean oil. The biodiesel reduces |
|emissions and is primarily used as an alternative to diesel fuel. In the |
|past, Community Fuels has used funds from the Advanced Biofuel Payment |
|Program to install equipment and increase production at its bio-refinery at |
|the Port of Stockton, Calif. |
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|View the complete list of producers receiving payments here. |
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|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 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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|USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, 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. USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for |
|the American people, even as the department implements sequestration - the |
|across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget |
|Control Act. |
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|USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than |
|$828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget |
|reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out|
|its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner|
|that causes as little disruption as possible. |
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| U.S. Forest Service Announces Final Rule on Restoration of Soil and Water |
| Resources |
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| Agency Also Proposes Formalizing Ecological Restoration Policy |
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|WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2013 – The U.S. Forest Service today published in the |
|Federal Register a final rule improving the agency's ability to restore |
|lands affected by roads, trails, structures such as levees, culverts and |
|drainage tiles and disturbance events such as floods and hurricanes. |
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|Three National Environmental Policy Act categorical exclusions will be used |
|when restoring uplands, wetlands, floodplains and riparian systems to their |
|natural conditions by removing levees and other structures, removing debris |
|and sediment following disturbance events and restoring lands occupied by |
|roads and trails. Through these more efficient processes, the Forest Service|
|will speed the pace of restoration efforts and stimulate rural economies by |
|creating jobs. |
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|"This rule will help us improve the resiliency, health and diversity of our |
|forests and grasslands," said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "We |
|will now be able to move forward with our partners to focus more energy on |
|action, and less on paperwork, to restore more acres in less time." |
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|The Forest Service prepares approximately 2,000 to 2,500 categorical |
|exclusions and 400 environmental assessments each year. Document preparation|
|and review for categorical exclusions normally take one-third less time than|
|for a typical environmental assessment, which can be hundreds of pages long.|
|By using these categorical exclusions, the Forest Service will be able to |
|move more efficiently through the environmental review process without |
|short-cutting public involvement or sacrificing environmental protection. |
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|The new categorical exclusions will allow the Forest Service to more |
|efficiently analyze and document the potential environmental effects of soil|
|and water restoration projects intended to restore the flow of waters into |
|natural channels and floodplains. The categorical exclusions will be used |
|for activities such as removing, replacing or modifying dikes, drainage |
|tiles, ditches, culverts and pipes. |
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|Additionally, the final rule will be used when restoring and stabilizing |
|lands occupied by roads and trails to natural conditions. It will not be |
|used on National Forest System roads or National Forest System trails and |
|will not be used to make decisions about their public use. |
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|The Forest Service has also proposed formalizing agency ecological |
|restoration policy to provide direction for restoring national forests and |
|grasslands under changing environmental conditions. This policy, also |
|published today in the Federal Register, follows up on an existing interim |
|directive, and is designed to provide clear, comprehensive and science-based|
|restoration guidance for sustainable management under conditions driven by a|
|changing climate and increasing human influence. |
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|This proposed policy would apply to all agency resource management programs |
|and will help speed up the pace of restoration under the 2012 planning rule.|
|The new ecological restoration policy would also apply when developing |
|on-the-ground projects and activities under all existing land management |
|plans developed under the prior planning rule procedures. |
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|The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity |
|and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of|
|present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of |
|public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and |
|maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public |
|lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the |
|economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide |
|20 percent of the nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 |
|billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in |
|stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the|
|U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans |
|live. |
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