1.27.14
Oil Spill
At BP, There's Optimism in the Corner Office
NY Times
By STANLEY REEDJAN. 24, 2014
LONDON — It has been nearly four years since the oil drilling disaster in
the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 people and brought the wrath of the United
States government and legal system down on the British energy giant BP.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/25/business/energy-environment/bp-still-struggling-to-put-gulf-spill-behind-it.html?_r=0
Gulf of Mexico oil spill conference discusses debunking myths and
misconceptions
Benjamin Alexander-Bloch
The Times-Picayune
January 26, 2014 at 6:52 PM
The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference kicked off on
Sunday (Jan. 26) in Mobile, Ala., where more than 800 oil spill-related
experts are discussing their scientific research, the status of research
and problems communicating that research from impacts on fisheries to the
fate oil-spill residues as the fourth anniversary of the BP Deepwater
Horizon oil spill approaches in April.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/01/gulf_of_mexico_oil_spill_confe.html#incart_river
Local workshop to focus on minorities, BP restoration
Pensacola News Journal
Representatives of the U.S. Department of Interior and the state Florida
will visit Pensacola on Tuesday to discuss how minorities can influence the
use of millions of dollars in fines arising from the BP oil spill.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20140127/NEWS10/301270006?gcheck=1
Judge asked to remove BP settlement probe leader
AP
By Michael Kunzelman January 24, 2014
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lawyer targeted in an investigation of the settlement
program for compensating victims of BP's 2010 Gulf oil spill has asked a
federal judge to disqualify former FBI director Louis Freeh from reviewing
and acting on any allegations involving the attorney.
http://www.businessweek.com/printer/articles/399137?type=ap
Ex-BP engineer seeks new trial
AP
NEW ORLEANS — A former BP engineer is basing his request for a new trial on
improper interviews with jurors who had convicted him of trying to obstruct
a federal investigation of the company's 2010 Gulf oil spill, federal
prosecutors say.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/viewart/20140127/NEWS01/301270003/Ex-BP-engineer-seeks-new-trial
ANALYSIS-BP back in favour despite spill legacy, Russia doubts
Reuters
By Andrew Callus
LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - If you had spent 10 pounds on BP shares on April
19, 2010, you would have just nine pounds now, including dividends. A poor
investment, however you cut it, but also a remarkable recovery.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/01/26/bp-comeback-idINL5N0KV3VN20140126
Nearly Four Years After Deepwater Horizon, Has BP's Brand Image Recovered?
Forbes
Anyone doubting the significance of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in
relation to BP's public image must have spent the second half of that year
in a cave. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2014/01/24/nearly-four-years-after-deepwater-horizon-has-bps-brand-image-recovered/
State
Owner of biodiesel plant says he will rebuild
WTVA
NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WTVA) -- The owner of the JNS Biofuels plant near New
Albany said despite the total loss of the plant, he expects to rebuild.
http://www.wtva.com/news/national/story/Owner-of-biodiesel-plant-says-he-will-rebuild/_sLV1rq6DUCnTGn-nK6XRQ.cspx
Biofuel owner had Arkansas losses, fines
By Dennis Seid
Daily Journal
The owner of the biodiesel plant in New Albany that exploded last week said
his losses could exceed $500,000, but that he intends to rebuild.
http://djournal.com/news/biofuel-owner-arkansas-losses-fines/
Water conservation highlights Expo
Bolivar Commercial
by Paisley Boston
Farmers and spectators came out to enjoy a day that was primarily focused
on Mississippi's number one industry, agriculture.
Over 100 booths lined the walls and isles of the Bolivar County Exposition
Center – each booth had tables that were piled high with information about
various farming practices and irrigation techniques.
http://www.bolivarcom.com/view/full_story/24447321/article-Water-conservation-highlights-Expo?instance=latest_articles
Recycle with new R'land bins
Madison County Herald
The City of Ridgeland recently purchased five solar-powered recycling
compactors through a solid waste grant provided by the Mississippi
Department of Environmental Quality.
http://www.mcherald.com/article/20140124/NEWS/301240003/Recycle-new-R-land-bins
Keep Cleveland Beautiful underway
Bolivar Commercial
by Courtney Warren
Keep Cleveland Beautiful, a group under the Cleveland-Bolivar County
Chamber of Commerce will hold a kickoff with Keep Mississippi Beautiful in
April and volunteers will cleanup and revamp specific areas in the city.
http://www.bolivarcom.com/view/full_story/24447337/article-Keep-Cleveland-Beautiful-underway?instance=latest_articles
INFINITY is 'Evolving'
Sea Coast Echo
By Dwayne Bremer
Jan 24, 2014
The INFINITY Science Center in Hancock County is fast approaching its
second birthday and officials said last week that the center is now
focusing on refining its scientific content and visitor experience.
http://www.seacoastecho.com/article_7644.shtml#.UuZhhxDnaUm
Vibration study to determine if aquarium can move forward
WLOX
D'IBERVILLE, MS (WLOX) -Dr. Moby Solangi told WLOX last week, he wants the
city to buy more land so the aquarium could be moved away from a new
interstate off-ramp under construction.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24543827/a-vibration-study-must-be-done-before-aquarium-projects-moves-forward
Regional
Heather McTeer Toney
Jackson Free Press
Last week U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy
announced that Heather McTeer Toney is President Barack Obama's selection
for regional administrator for EPA's regional office in Atlanta.
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2014/jan/24/heather-mcteer-toney/
Strategy looks to river diversions for help with Gulf 'dead zone'
Baton Rouge Advocate
By AMY WOLD
A proposed new strategy for reducing the annual "dead zone" off Louisiana's
Gulf coast relies heavily on the promise of river water diversions to
remove nutrients that deplete oxygen levels to the point they no longer
support aquatic life.
http://theadvocate.com/home/8090466-125/strategy-looks-to-river-diversions
Plan could boost South's lagging recycling
By SARITA CHOUREY
MORRIS NEWS SERVICE
Old plastic bottles, glass containers, discarded steel and used paper
packaging may seem like trash.
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2014-01-26/plan-could-boost-souths-lagging-recycling#.UuZtmBDnaUk
National
Judges Consider Uniformity Requirement For EPA Regions in Air Permitting
Case
Friday, January 24, 2014
Bloomberg
By Jessica Coomes
Jan. 17 --Federal appeals court judges indicated Jan. 17 that the
Environmental Protection Agency may have overstepped its authority when it
required regional offices to apply different air permitting requirements in
different states (Nat'l Envtl. Dev. Ass'n's Clean Air Project v. EPA, D.C.
Cir., No. 13-1035, oral arguments 1/17/14).
http://www.bna.com/judges-consider-uniformity-n17179881546/
Railroad tank-car safety woes date decades before crude oil concerns
BY CURTIS TATE
McClatchy Washington BureauJanuary 27, 2014
WASHINGTON — Long before crude oil and ethanol were transported by
railroads in large quantities in minimally reinforced tank cars, other
flammable and poisonous materials were riding around the country in the
same cars, threatening major cities and waterways.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/27/5283510/railroad-tank-car-safety-woes.html
Farm Groups Sue to Stop Data Disclosure
· By Philip Brasher
· Roll Call
· Jan. 24, 2014, 6:18 p.m.
·
Even as they raise concerns about corporate use of farm data, farm groups
are turning to Congress to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from
releasing information that it compiles on agricultural operations it
regulates.
http://www.rollcall.com/news/farm_groups_sue_to_stop_data_disclosure-230371-1.html?pos=oplyh
