5.12.14
Oil Spill
Post-BP Oil Spill Gulf Restoration Projects So Far Lack Basis in Science
[Slide Show]
Few funds generated by the Deepwater Horizon disaster have been allocated
as yet to return the Gulf of Mexico's marshes and ecosystems to a healthier
state, leading to "random acts of restoration"
Scientific American
May 12, 2014 |By Melissa Gaskill
Some 160 kilometers of oyster reefs are being built along the Alabama coast
to help mitigate effects of the 2010 BP oil spill. In front of one barrier
island, concrete reef balls and bags filled with oyster shells now absorb
wave action that had chewed a foot-high edge on the island's marshy
shoreline. Accumulating sediment is extending the marsh, and scientists
report oyster recruitment and increased bird and fish activity around the
sites.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/post-bp-oil-spill-gulf-restoration-projects-so-far-lack-basis-in-science/
Bacteria left a methane mess after spill
Study contradicts notion that microbes consumed most of the gas after 2010
Deepwater Horizon spill.
· Karen Ravn
11 May 2014
Nature
When the blowout of the Deepwater Horizon oil well sent some 400,000 tonnes
of methane into the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, many scientists and
others feared it would linger. So researchers were pleasantly surprised
when studies suggested that methane-eating bacteria had consumed nearly all
of it by August.
http://www.nature.com/news/bacteria-left-a-methane-mess-after-spill-1.15199
State
Fight over Mississippi's Baseload Act could affect Entergy
The Associated Press
May 11, 2014 at 4:19 PM
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- Mississippi has another utility that would like, at
least someday, to collect some money for a power plant it hasn't built yet.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/05/ap_analysis_fight_over_mississ.html#incart_river
Former DMR Director seeks sentencing delay
WLOX
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) -We have learned of another new development in the
DMR probe on Friday evening. This time, the focus is on former DMR Director
Bill Walker.
http://www.wlox.com/story/25478989/former-dmr-director-seeks-sentencing-delay
Regional
Alabama only state in U.S. without a dam safety program: 'Dams do fail'
Press-Register
John Sharp
May 09, 2014 at 10:28 PM
MOBILE, Alabama – A crumbled retention pond that sent water rushing into a
private residence during the torrential rainfall of April 29 underscores a
need for the state to implement a dam safety program, an official with the
association lobbying for a program said Friday.
http://blog.al.com/live/2014/05/alabama_only_state_in_us_witho.html
National
Court backs EPA move for stricter soot limits
Politico
By: Erica Martinson
May 12, 2014 05:08 AM EDT
A federal appeals court upheld the Environmental Protection Agency's
stricter soot restrictions in a unanimous ruling Friday, notching yet
another legal victory for the agency.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/court-backs-epa-move-for-stricter-soot-limits-106560.html?hp=l8
EPA triumphs in court battle over air pollution
The Hill
A federal appeals court has upheld the Environmental Protection Agency's
newest limit on soot in the air, saying the agency has a great deal of
latitude when it comes to judging scientific studies on pollution.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/205703-court-upholds-epas-soot-standard
EPA Weighs Demanding Disclosure of Fracking Chemicals
Agency Asks for Comments from Energy Industry, Public, Health Groups on
Hydraulic Fracturing
Wall Street Journal
WASHINGTON—The Environmental Protection Agency took a first step Friday
toward possibly requiring disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic
fracturing, or fracking.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304655304579551691342716528?mg=reno64-wsj
EPA weighs rule requiring disclosure of fracking chemicals
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency is taking the first steps toward
regulations that could require companies to disclose chemicals used in
hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" operations.
http://thehill.com/regulation/205705-epa-weighs-disclosure-rule-for-fracking-chemicals
EPA Takes First Step Toward Regulating Fracking Chemicals
Bloomberg
By Mark Drajem - May 9, 2014
The Obama administration began a process that may result in the first
federal regulation of chemicals used in fracking, a drilling technique that
has transformed energy production while eluding oversight sought by
environmentalists.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-09/epa-considers-requiring-disclosure-of-fracking-chemicals.html
Federal government failed to inspect higher-risk oil wells
The Associated Press
May 11, 2014 at 1:35 PM
WASHINGTON — The government has failed to inspect thousands of oil and gas
wells it considers potentially high risks for water contamination and other
environmental damage, congressional investigators say.
http://blog.al.com/wire/2014/05/federal_government_failed_to_i.html#incart_river
Fossil Treasure Repatriates to Kansas
Wall Street Journal
Nearly a half-dozen prehistoric fossils are returning to Kansas after about
a century's hiatus in California, and they will be part of a collection at
a new natural-history museum scheduled to open on Monday in a Kansas City
suburb.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304536104579556372321559560?mg=reno64-wsj
Press Releases
EPA Seeking Public Comment on Enhancing Transparency for Chemicals and
Mixtures Used in Hydraulic Fracturing
WASHINGTON -- EPA announced today that it will seek public comment on what
information could be reported and disclosed for hydraulic fracturing
chemicals and mixtures and the approaches for obtaining this information,
including non-regulatory approaches. EPA is also soliciting input on
incentives and recognition programs that could support the development and
use of safer chemicals in hydraulic fracturing. A public process through an
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) will help inform EPA's efforts
to promote the transparency and safety of unconventional oil and gas
activities while strengthening protection of our air, water, land and
communities.
"Today's announcement represents an important step in increasing the
public's access to information on chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing
activities," said James Jones, EPA's assistant administrator for the Office
of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "EPA looks forward to hearing
from the public and stakeholders about public disclosure of chemicals used
during hydraulic fracturing, and we will continue working with our federal,
state, local, and tribal partners to ensure that we complement but not
duplicate existing reporting requirements."
EPA's ANPR includes a list of questions for stakeholders and the public to
consider as they develop their comments. Following the 90-day comment
period, the agency will evaluate the submitted comments as it considers
appropriate next steps. Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemakings are intended
to engage the public and solicit comments and/or information from the
public for EPA's consideration in addressing a particular issue, including
information that EPA could consider in developing non-regulatory approaches
or a proposed rule .
Read EPA's ANPR:
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/chemtest/pubs/prepub_hf_anpr_14t-0069_2014-05-09.pdf
