2/21/2014
Oil Spill
Judge delays trial for two BP well site leaders
AP
NEW ORLEANS — The trial for two BP employees charged in the deadly 2010
explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig has been put on hold while
a federal appeals court considers the dismissal of some of the manslaughter
charges filed against them.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/02/20/judge-delays-trial-for-two-bp-well-site-leaders/
Judge rejects Mix's motion seeking his recusal
AP
NEW ORLEANS The federal judge who presided over the trial of a former BP
engineer found guilty of obstructing justice in the government's
investigation of the Deepwater Horizon disaster has denied a defense motion
to disqualify him from the case.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/02/19/judge-rejects-mixs-motion-seeking-his-recusal/
State
Potential solutions for Lake Serene dams on the horizon
Hattiesburg American
When it comes to the Lake Serene system and its dams, the fix appears to be
in.
Or at least, on the way.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20140221/NEWS01/302210016/Potential-solutions-Lake-Serene-dams-horizon
Plea accepted: Scott Walker pleads guilty to conspiracy, fraud
US attorney says investigation remains open
Sun Herald
BY ANITA LEE
HATTIESBURG -- Scott Walker turned down a federal plea deal in October, but
after he saw the case being built against him and learned his co-defendant
had cut a deal, the 34-year-old realized he would have to accept a less
generous plea agreement prosecutors extended this week, his attorneys told
a judge Thursday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/02/20/5355292/scott-walker-pleads-guilty-to.html
Scott Walker pleads guilty to 2 federal crimes, heads to hospital for birth
of son
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
February 21, 2014 at 1:38 AM
HATTIESBURG, Mississippi -- Scott Walker this morning pleaded guilty to
theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and conspiracy in two
separate federal cases.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/02/scott_walker_guilty_plea_to_co.html#incart_river
Walker faces 15 years in prison, possible $500k fine
WLOX
HATTIESBURG, MS (WLOX) -Friday, Scott Walker will become a father for the
second time. Thursday he became a confessed felon, by pleading guilty to
two federal conspiracy and fraud charges in U.S. District Court.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24776142/walker-faces-15-years-in-prison-possible-500k-fine
National
BNSF plans to upgrade tanker fleet after accidents
BY MATTHEW BROWN
Associated Press
BILLINGS, MONT. — BNSF Railway Co. said it intends to buy a fleet of 5,000
strengthened tank cars to haul oil and ethanol in a move that would set a
higher benchmark for safety within an industry that's seen multiple major
accidents.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/02/21/5357633/bnsf-plans-to-upgrade-tanker-fleet.html
EPA to overhaul pesticide regs
The Hill
By Ben Goad
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new regulations to
safeguard the nation's millions of agricultural workers against pesticide
poisoning.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/pending-regs/198864-epa-to-overhaul-pesticide-regs
Doctors push for curbs on traffic pollution
The Hill
A group of doctors is urging the Obama administration to push through rules
that would reduce traffic pollution in an effort to prevent lung disease,
asthma attacks and other cardiovascular problems.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energy-environment/198837-doctors-push-for-curbs-on-traffic-pollution
Exxon CEO Joins Suit Citing Fracking Concerns
Residents of Dallas Suburb Fight Construction of Tower That Would Provide
Water for Drilling
Wall Street Journal
BARTONVILLE, Texas—One evening last November, a tall, white-haired man
turned up at a Town Council meeting to protest construction of a water
tower near his home in this wealthy community outside Dallas.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304899704579391181466603804
Nuclear-Waste Leak Reported at New Mexico Repository
Officials Say Radiation Poses No Threat to Public Health
AP
Federal officials Thursday confirmed a leak of nuclear waste at a
southeastern New Mexico repository, but it could be weeks before workers
can safely access the underground dump to determine what happened.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579395551708681172?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
Press Releases
EPA Proposes New Safety Measures to Protect Farm Workers from Pesticide
Exposure
WASHINGTON —Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced
proposed revisions to the Worker Protection Standard in order to protect
the nation's two million farm workers and their families from pesticide
exposure.
"Today marks an important milestone for the farm workers who plant, tend,
and harvest the food that we put on our tables each day," said Gina
McCarthy, EPA Administrator. "EPA's revised Worker Protection Standard will
afford farm workers similar health protections to those already enjoyed by
workers in other jobs. Protecting our nation's farm workers from pesticide
exposure is at the core of EPA's work to ensure environmental justice."
EPA is proposing significant improvements to worker training regarding the
safe usage of pesticides, including how to prevent and effectively treat
pesticide exposure. Increased training and signage will inform farm workers
about the protections they are afforded under the law and will help them
protect themselves and their families from pesticide exposure.
Workers and others near treated fields will now be protected from pesticide
overspray and fumes. In addition, EPA has proposed that children under 16
be legally barred from handling all pesticides, with an exemption for
family farms. These revisions protect workers while ensuring agricultural
productivity and preserving the traditions of family farms.
This proposal represents more than a decade of extensive stakeholder input
by federal and state partners and from across the agricultural community
including farm workers, farmers, and industry on the current EPA Worker
Protection Standard (WPS) for Agricultural Pesticides first established in
1992.
For more information on the EPA's Proposed Worker Protection Standard:
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/safety/workers/proposed/index.html
