9/12/14
State
Environmental investigator urges Jones County to issue public nuisance
against oil and gas co.
WDAM
HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -A lawsuit between a Jones County family and Petro
Harvester Oil and Gas Company is being investigated.
http://www.wdam.com/story/26507174/environmental-investigator-urges-jones-county-to-issue-public-nuisance-against-oil-and-gas-co
MDEQ reopens beaches in Biloxi and Pass Christian
WLOX
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality announced on Thursday
it has lifted beach closures in Biloxi and Pass Christian.
http://www.wlox.com/story/26509766/mdeq-reopens-beaches-in-biloxi-and-pass-christian
Beach closures on the rise on Mississippi's Gulf Coast
WWL
BILOXI, Miss. - Sean Keoughen heads to the beach with friends and
family often, but lately, he's made sure to check for any water
advisories or closures before leaving the house.
http://www.wwltv.com/story/news/health/2014/09/11/beach-closures-on-the-rise-on-mississippis-gulf-coast/15477667/
Water Valley Cracking Down on Litter
WCBI
WATER VALLEY, Miss. (WCBI) — Its Main Street organization has been named
the best in the state. And next week, the national director is coming to
town.
http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/video-water-valley-cracking-down-on-litter
Gov. Bryant declares state of emergency in DeSoto County, severe storms
cause flooding
The Associated Press
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Gov. Phil Bryant has declared a state of emergency
in Mississippi's DeSoto County after severe storms pounded the northern
part of the state and Tennessee.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/gov_bryant_declares_state_of_e_1.html#incart_river
GreenTech Automotive says Mississippi electric vehicle plant is built
The Associated Press
JACKSON, Mississippi — GreenTech Automotive has announced it has completed
a factory in Mississippi's Tunica County for the manufacture of small
electric vehicles. But it's unclear how many employees the company has in
Mississippi or if it has sold any vehicles from its temporary factory in
nearby Horn Lake.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-business/2014/09/greentech_automotive_says_miss.html#incart_river
Oil Spill
Parishes propose restoration and protection work
Daily Comet
By Xerxes Wilson
Lafourche and Terrebonne officials Thursday night promoted their coastal
restoration and protection projects that could be paid for in part with
fine money from the 2010 BP oil spill.
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20140911/ARTICLES/140919897/1320?Title=Parishes-propose-restoration-and-protection-work
Regional
Florida oysters in crisis: 'Our industry needs to be shut down,'
Apalachicola seafood rep says
Press-Register
Dennis Pillion
APALACHICOLA, Florida -- Less than three years ago, the Apalachicola Bay
oyster fishery was one of the most productive in the nation. Now Florida
officials and a group representing the commercial fishing industry are
saying the bay oyster harvest may have to shut down completely for 18
months.
http://www.al.com/news/beaches/index.ssf/2014/09/florida_oysters_in_crisis_our.html#incart_river
National
Majority of Senate backs climate rule extension
The Hill
More than half the Senate called Thursday on the Obama administration to
extend the deadline for public comment on a contentious Environmental
Protection Agency proposal to impose new limits on carbon emissions from
power plants.
http://thehill.com/regulation/217410-majority-of-senate-backs-climate-rule-extension
Pesticide Levels in Waterways Have Dropped, Reducing the Risks to Humans
NY Times
The development of safer pesticides and legal restrictions
on their use have sharply reduced the risk to humans from
pesticide-tainted rivers and streams, while the potential
risk to aquatic life in urban waters has risen, according
to a two-decade survey published on Thursday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/12/us/pesticide-levels-in-waterways-have-dropped-reducing-the-risks-to-humans.html?ref=earth&_r=0
Green groups sue DOT over crude oil trains
The Hill
Green groups filed a lawsuit against the Department of Transportation (DOT)
on Thursday for not responding to calls to ban the use of older rail cars
carrying flammable crude oil.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/217485-greens-sue-dot-over-trains-carrying-crude-oil
Fracking workers exposed to dangerous amounts of benzene, study says
LA Times
Some workers at oil and gas sites where fracking occurs are routinely
exposed to high levels of benzene, a colorless gas that can cause cancer,
according to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Health and
Safety.
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-fracking-benzene-worker-health-20140910-story.html#page=1
Opinion
BP's Lessons in Playing Nasty or Nice
Bloomberg
By Paul M. Barrett September 11, 2014
Within weeks of the epic 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, BP (BP)
apologized, acknowledged partial blame, began paying claims and cleanup
costs, and sought to settle lawsuits rather than fight in court. Yet after
spending more than $28 billion so far to make amends and dilute the
public-relations debacle, the London-based oil giant remains enmeshed in
litigation.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-11/lessons-from-bps-growing-gulf-spill-payout
