4.22.14
Oil Spill
Final phase of BP oil spill trial scheduled for nearly two weeks in January
Jennifer Larino
The Times-Picayune
April 21, 2014 at 2:33 PM
A federal judge has finalized the timeline for the last phase of the
massive BP oil spill trial next year, which will focus on how many billions
of dollars the oil giant must pay in fines for the 2010 disaster in the
Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/04/timeline_released_for_final_pe.html#incart_river
Fishermen Blame BP for Low Yield
WKRG
Fishermen say times are tough on the water and four years after the oil
spill some are pointing the finger at BP.
http://www.wkrg.com/story/25303350/fishermen-blame-bp-for-low-yield
BP oil spill choked off important pelican nesting sites on Louisiana coast
By Bob Marshall,
The Lens
Published: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 12:00 p.m.
On a bright spring morning, P.J. Hahn is walking through a graveyard in the
middle of Barataria Bay.
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20140421/WIRE/140429970?Title=BP-oil-spill-choked-off-important-pelican-nesting-sites-on-Louisiana-coast
Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, private pension funds file Deepwater Horizon
oil spill fraud suits aganst BP
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
April 21, 2014 at 7:22 PM
A group of U.S. pension funds, including those for public employees in
Louisiana, Maryland and Texas, filed suits in federal court in Texas on
Friday that accuse BP of making public statements about the Deepwater
Horizon accident and oil spill that resulted in the defrauding of
investors, according stories filed by the Reuters news service and the
Baltimore Sun.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/04/louisiana_texas_maryland_priva.html#incart_river
THAO VU and ROBERTA AVILA: The work of restoration is far from over in the
Gulf
BY THAO VU AND ROBERTA AVILA
A Sun Herald Forum
April 21, 2014
Four years ago, BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, leaking millions
of barrels of oil into the Gulf and wreaking untold damage on the Gulf
Coast. In the years since, the resilient communities that make up the Gulf
Coast have worked tirelessly to get our ailing coastal industries --
tourism, shipping and seafood -- back on track. In Mississippi, we have
come a long way, but our economy is still not what it was before the spill.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/04/21/5511414/thao-vu-and-roberta-avila-the.html?sp=/99/728/
State
Supervisors schedule public hearing in Ocean Springs on $600K water project
Mississippi Press
Warren Kulo
April 21, 2014 at 1:11 PM
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- A public hearing will be held next Tuesday
seeking community input regarding a proposed $600,000 project to extend
Ocean Springs municipal water service to a subdivision outside the city
limits.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/04/supervisors_schedule_public_he.html#incart_river
Earth Day to be celebrated
DeSoto Times
By ROBERT LEE LONG
Published: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 1:05 AM CDT
HERNANDO — While Angie Irving isn't exactly "Mother Earth," the new
administrative assistant to the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors has the
mother of all earth-related jobs in her hands — make that preparations for
"Earth Day," one of the largest environmental events on the DeSoto County
calendar.
http://www.desototimes.com/articles/2014/04/22/news/doc5355e4bc2dd82071044931.txt
Communities vie for TVA sustainability designation
by Associated Press
Published: April 22,2014
STARKVILLE and TUPELO — Thirteen communities in the Southeast are hoping to
be designated as sustainable communities by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/04/22/communities-vie-tva-sustainability-designation/
National
Biofuels may be worse for environment than gasoline in short run, study
says
LA Times
By Shan Li
April 21, 2014, 11:19 a.m.
Biofuels are known as an environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline.
But two recent studies call into question how green they really are.
http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-biofuel-corn-20140421,0,3207836.story#axzz2zcZPtSDR
EPA chief hits road for climate tour
The Hill
By Laura Barron-Lopez
In honor of Earth Week, Environmental Protection Agency chief Gina McCarthy
is hitting the road for an act on climate change tour.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/203959-epa-chief-hits-road-for-climate-tour
Apple offering free recycling of all used products
BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE
AP Technology Writer
SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is offering free recycling of all its used products
and vowing to power all of its stores, offices and data centers with
renewable energy to reduce the pollution caused by its devices and online
services.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/04/21/5510806/apple-offering-free-recycling.html?sp=/99/102/
Opinion
A Better Way to Cut Power-Plant Emissions
Bloomberg
APR 21, 2014 1:23 PM EDT
By Stephen Comello & Stefan J. Reichelstein
On June 1, the Environmental Protection Agency will deliver its plan to
curb carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants, and
environmentalists and electricity providers are counting the days. The
agency has already drafted regulations for limiting CO2 emissions by new
power plants. If adopted, they will limit CO2 to 1,000 pounds per
megawatt-hour of electricity generated.
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-04-21/a-better-way-to-cut-power-plant-emissions
Press Releases
SpaceX Cuts Ribbon on Rocket Engine Testing Program at NASA's Stennis Space
Center
STENNIS SPACE CENTER— Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from commercial
spaceflight company SpaceX cut the ribbon today on the company's rocket
engine testing program at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Hancock County.
SpaceX announced in October 2013 it would bring initial testing of its
Raptor methane rocket engines to the facility.
The SpaceX Raptor engine development program represents the latest in
propulsion technology and will produce the largest methane/LOX engines in
U.S. history. Raptor engine components will be tested at the E-2 test stand
at Stennis, which SpaceX upgraded with methane capability under an engine
testing agreement. The stand is now one of the most sophisticated
high-pressure testing facilities in the world. It is capable of supporting
many potential users and will remain the property of Stennis Space Center
for future government and commercial use as needed.
"Stennis Space Center is one of Mississippi's greatest assets, and I am
proud SpaceX is now utilizing the facility and its tremendous capabilities
to test its advanced Raptor rocket engines," Gov. Bryant said. "For years,
Stennis has been successfully testing rocket engines for both the
government and private sectors, and today's ribbon cutting is another great
example of leaders at all levels working in collaboration with the team at
Stennis to recruit high-tech aerospace companies like SpaceX to the state.
I congratulate SpaceX on this milestone occasion."
"SpaceX is proud to bring the Raptor testing program to NASA's Stennis
Space Center and the great state of Mississippi," said Gwynne Shotwell,
president and COO of SpaceX. "In partnership with NASA, SpaceX has helped
create one of the most advanced engine testing facilities in the world, and
we look forward to putting the stand to good use."
The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the
project for improvements to the E-2 test stand. The Hancock County Port and
Harbor Commission provided assistance, as well.
"Mississippi has a long, rich history in the aerospace industry. Today,
SpaceX further strengthens the state's position as an industry leader in
the global aerospace sector and demonstrates to the world that Stennis is
an ideal location for aerospace companies with sophisticated research and
development needs ," MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen said. "MDA is
glad to have been a part of this project, and we appreciate our partners at
the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission and at Stennis Space Center
for helping us bring this great company to Mississippi."
For more than four decades, John. C. Stennis Space Center in south
Mississippi has served as NASA's primary rocket propulsion testing ground.
Today, the center provides propulsion test services for NASA and the
Department of Defense, as well as the private sector. It is home to NASA's
Rocket Propulsion Test Program, which manages all of the agency's
propulsion test facilities. For more information, please visit
www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis.
To learn more about SpaceX, please visit www.spacex.com.
###
MEDIA ADVISORY: EPA Holding Events across the Country to Celebrate Earth
Week
Agency Encouraging all Americans to take Action on Climate Change
WASHINGTON – This Earth Week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is empowering Americans across the country to act on climate change
through simple actions to reduce carbon pollution in their daily lives.
Across the country, EPA will be holding events to talk about common-sense
action to reduce carbon pollution and promote a cleaner energy economy
while ensuring that all Americans have the information they need to act on
climate change.
By taking simple actions such as changing a light bulb, powering down
electronics, using less water and recycling, we can all reduce carbon
pollution.
For information about specific Earth Week events, please contact regional
offices.
Regional Activities Include:
Region 1:
On April 22nd Region 1 Administrator Curt Spalding will join Administrator
McCarthy for an Earth Day event at the New England Aquarium with U.S.
Department of Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh,
Aquarium President & CEO Bud Ris, the Massachusetts Congressional
delegation, and teens from the Aquarium's three youth programs.
On April 22nd, Region 1 staff will honor individuals and groups for their
environmental work at the annual Environmental Merit Awards at Faneuil Hall
in Boston.
Region 2:
On April 22nd, Region 2 Administrator Judith A. Enck will join Brooklyn,
New York Borough President Eric Adams and Emily Maxwell of The Nature
Conservancy to promote the EPA Earth Day #natureselfie photo project in
Brooklyn's Prospect Park.
On April 23rd, Region 2 Administrator Judith A. Enck will host the
recipients of the region's Environmental Quality Awards, presented annually
to individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to
protecting the environment during the past year. The region will also
recognize the winner of the President's Environmental Youth Award.
Region 3:
On April 22nd, Region 3 Administrator Shawn Garvin will speak at a press
conference with state and local officials to highlight climate change
issues and the proposed Waters of the United States rule in Wilmington, DE.
On April 22nd, Region 3 Administrator Shawn Garvin will give opening
remarks for an Earth Day panel discussion on Smart Cities at the University
of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.
Region 4:
On April 22nd, Region 4 Administrator Heather McTeer Toney and staff will
celebrate Earth Day with participating in a cleanup effort at the Proctor
Creek in Atlanta, GA from 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
On April 22nd, EPA's Office of Research and Development staff will host the
4th annual Earth Day Science Day at Bethesda Elementary, Nurham, NC.
Region 5:
On April 22nd, Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman will participate in an
Earth Day event to honor Kimberly Wasserman of the Little Village
Environmental Justice Organization with the prestigious Goldman
Environmental Prize.
Region 6:
On April 22nd, Region 6 Administrator Ron Curry and EPA staff will co-host
an Earth Day webcast with NASA's Digital Learning Network from 11:00 a.m.
to 12:00 p.m. CST. This year's theme is Climate Change and will feature
interactive data from satellites on a high-definition Climate Simulation
hyperwall.
On April 22nd, EPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory will host
the 10th Annual Earth Day Waterfest at East Central University in Ada,
Oklahoma. From 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST, 4th through 6th grade students
will visit and learn about water quality.
Region 7:
On April 22nd, Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks will present the Waste
Wise Award to Sprint executives at Overland Park, KS.
Region 8:
On April 22nd, Region 8 Administrator Shawn McGrath will deliver remarks at
the National Center for Atmospheric Research reception. He will speak about
scientific integrity, climate adaptation and resilience, and the National
Drought Resilience Partnership, as a front-door for communities in need of
help.
On April 22nd, Region 8 staff will host Earth Day Denver 2014 from 10:00
a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MDT at the Wellington Webb building in Denver, CO.
Region 9:
On April 22nd, Region 9 Administrator Jared Blumenfeld and EPA staff will
hold an event with Congressman George Miller (CA-11) to announce the
awarding of nearly $5 million to five projects aimed at restoring water
quality and wetlands throughout the San Francisco Bay watershed. The event
will specifically highlight work at Breuner Marsh in Richmond, CA.
On April 22nd, Region 9 will issue a press release announcing the opening
of the nomination period for Region 9's annual environmental awards, which
recognize environmental heroes in the Pacific Southwest. Past winners have
included scientists, citizen activists, students, universities, tribes,
cities, non-profits and businesses. Approximately 6 to 9 winners will be
announced this fall.
Region 10:
On April 22nd, Region 10 Administrator Dennis McLerran and EPA staff are
partnering with the Seattle chapter of Surfrider Foundation and Seattle
Parks & Recreation to clean up Golden Gardens Beach & Park in the Ballard
area of Seattle.
On April 22nd, Region 10 staff from EPA's Alaska Operations Office will
volunteer at the Alaska Botanical Gardens at 1:00 p.m. UTC to help get the
garden beds ready.
For more information on Earth Day at EPA:
http://www.epa.gov/earthday/index.html
