1.3.14
State
Questions arise over state's use of Katrina recovery money
HUD report: Miss. relied upon faulty figures, documents
AP
A new federal report says Mississippi officials accepted unsupported
population growth estimates in developing a plan to use $653 million in
federal Hurricane Katrina recovery money for water and wastewater
facilities, including some that may not be needed.
http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20140103/NEWS01/301030022/Questions-arise-over-state-s-use-Katrina-recovery-money
HUD audit questions state's post-Katrina utility spending
HUD questions state's post-Katrina utility spending
Sun Herald
BY ANITA LEE
The state failed to adequately oversee a $653 million program for regional
water and wastewater improvements after Hurricane Katrina, leading to
construction of some plants that are too small, "excessive," or may not be
needed, a federal audit concludes.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/02/5229302/hud-audit-questions-states-post.html
Federal agency questions post-Katrina water systems
WLOX
BILOXI, MS (AP) -Members of the Harrison County Utility Authority knew a
federal report was about to be released pertaining to 67 wastewater
treatment facilities approved since Hurricane Katrina. Today, that report
came out.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24348012/federal-agency-questions
HUD Audit Questions Post-Katrina Water Grants
BY EVELINA BURNETT
MPB
A new report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's
Office of the Inspector General is questioning some appraisals and
population estimates used in the state's post-Katrina water and wastewater
utility grants.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/hud_audit_questions_post_katrina_water_grants
SUN HERALD | Editorial: HUD took its time to question estimates
In 2006, almost a year to the day after Hurricane Katrina struck the Coast,
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved Mississippi's
plan to spend $653 million in federal recovery money on water and
wastewater facilities in South Mississippi.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/02/5229931/sun-herald-editorial-hud-took.html
Bunge ethanol plant sale reflects doubt over EPA mandate
Reuters
Thu, Jan 2 2014
By Michael Hirtzer
Jan 2 (Reuters) - Bunge North America Inc, a division of Bunge Ltd, has
sold its stake in a Mississippi ethanol plant in what is likely to be the
first a spate of industry deals amid uncertainty over biofuel use in the
United States, analysts said on Thursday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/02/bunge-ethanol-idUSL2N0KC14720140102
Oil Spill
Former BP engineer says juror misconduct tainted verdict
The Associated Press
January 02, 2014 at 6:15 PM
Defense attorneys for a former BP engineer convicted of trying to obstruct
a federal investigation of the company's 2010 Gulf oil spill claimed
Thursday that jurors engaged in misconduct that warrants a new trial.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2014/01/former_bp_engineer_says_juror.html
National
EPA publishes carbon capture regs
The Hill
By Ben Goad
The Obama administration on Thursday detailed final regulations easing the
path toward technology needed to allow new coal-fired power plants to
operate.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energy-environment/194276-epa-publishes-carbon-capture-regs
Despite reports, response slow to danger of oil fires on rail tankers
BY CURTIS TATE
McClatchy Washington BureauJanuary 2, 2014
WASHINGTON Five years before a train loaded with crude oil derailed and
exploded last year in Quebec, killing 47 people, another derailment in
Oklahoma should have given federal regulators an early warning that the
type of oil both trains carried was more flammable than authorities
realized.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/02/5230136/despite-reports-response-slow.html
Press Releases
Ergon Acquires Bunge's Interest in Mississippi Ethanol Facility
January 02, 2014
JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ergon, Inc. announced today that its
wholly owned subsidiary, Ergon Ethanol, Inc., acquired Bunge North America,
Inc.'s interest in and now owns 100% of Ergon BioFuels, LLC located in
Vicksburg, Mississippi. Financial terms were not disclosed. Effective
December 31, 2013, Bunge-Ergon Vicksburg, LLC changed its name to Ergon
BioFuels, LLC.
Ergon BioFuels, LLC, formerly Bunge-Ergon Vicksburg, began as a joint
venture between Ergon Ethanol, Inc. and Bunge North America in 2007. With
an annual throughput capacity of 54-million gallons, Bunge-Ergon Vicksburg,
LLC was one of the largest producers of ethanol in the southeastern United
States until operations were suspended in December 2012.
"This transaction allows us to look at alternative feedstocks, as well as
how the plant may be used for products beyond traditional ethanol
production," said Don Davis, President of Ergon's Refining and Marketing
division. "In addition, we feel the Ergon BioFuels facility will be
synergistic with nearby Ergon Refining, Inc.'s opportunities for an
expanded product base."
About Ergon Ethanol
Ergon Ethanol, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ergon, Inc. Ergon, Inc.
is a privately held company that operates under six primary business
segments: Refining & Marketing, Asphalt & Emulsions, Transportation &
Terminaling, Oil & Gas, Real Estate, and Corporate & Other.
About Bunge North America
Bunge North America, Inc., the North American operating arm of Bunge
Limited (NYSE: BG), is a vertically integrated food and feed ingredient
company, supplying raw and processed agricultural commodities and
specialized food ingredients to a wide range of customers in the livestock,
poultry, food processing, foodservice and bakery industries. With
headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, Bunge North America and its
subsidiaries operate grain elevators, oilseed processing plants, edible oil
refineries, packaging facilities, and corn, wheat and rice mills in the
U.S., Canada and Mexico.
