10/17/2014
State
Coastal Cleanup will hit South Mississippi beaches Saturday
Sun Herald
BY WESLEY MULLER
Beachgoers may notice cleaner sands this weekend as nearly 2,000 volunteers
have registered for the 26th annual Mississippi Coastal Cleanup, taking
place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/10/16/5860000/coastal-cleanup-will-hit-south.html?sp=/99/184/185/
Utility Authority Considers Repairs
Picayune Item
http://www.picayuneitem.com/2014/10/utility-authority-considers-repairs/
Oil Spill
Oil spill claims administrator says BP 'not completely candid' in bid to
remove him
Jennifer Larino
The Times-Picayune
October 16, 2014 at 10:50 AM
Lafayette attorney Patrick Juneau is fighting back against BP's bid to
remove him as head of oil spill claim payments, arguing the company's
accusations against him are "utterly meritless" and "not completely
candid."
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/10/oil_spill_claims_head_says_bp.html#incart_river
Regional
Offshore oil platform owner agrees to $1 million fine for unauthorized oil,
chemical discharges
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
October 16, 2014 at 8:04 PM
ATP Infrastructure Partners, LP, the owner of a floating oil platform that
was tethered to a wellhead 125 miles south of New Orleans until earlier
this year, has agreed to pay a $1 million fine to settle a federal lawsuit
over illegal discharges of oil and dispersants.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/10/offshore_oil_platform_owner_ag.html#incart_river
National
Industry-backed report says EPA climate rule to cost $366B
The Hill
A study commissioned by the coal industry and other business groups found
that the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) carbon rule for power
plants could cost at least $366 billion.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/220967-industry-backed-report-says-epa-climate-rule-to-cost-366b
Natural gas may not help in climate fight as promised
The Hill
The touted "bridge fuel" to cleaner energy sources, natural gas, will not
slow the increase of greenhouse gas emissions alone, according to a new
study.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/220932-natural-gas-may-not-help-in-climate-fight-as-promised
Opinion
WLOX Editorial: Volunteering for the MS Coastal Cleanup
About 2,000 volunteers will be cleaning up the Mississippi Gulf coast on
Saturday.
http://www.wlox.com/story/26808770/wlox-editorial-volunteering-for-the-ms-coastal-cleanup
Press Releases
EPA Awards Mississippi State University with a Grant to Help Design
Sustainable Technologies
Contact Information: Danielle Jackson, (404) 562-9182 (Direct), (404) 562-
8400 (Main), Jackson.Danielle@epa.gov
Atlanta- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awards Mississippi
State University with the People, Prosperity, and Planet (P3) award for the
2014-2015 school year. Nationally the grants were awarded to 42 teams of
college and university students. The teams will design innovative solutions
to sustainable challenges in the developed and developing world.
Former P3 teams have used their winning ideas to form small businesses and
non-profit organizations. Environmental Fuel Research, a 2008 P3 winner
from Drexel University, incorporated their grease waste-trap biofuel
technology into a business enterprise and won a $100,000 EPA Small Business
Innovation Research Phase I award this year. This woman-owned startup,
headquartered in a historically underutilized business (HUB) zone to
encourage economic development, has the potential to revolutionize domestic
biodiesel capacity in the United States.
The 2014-2015 school year awardee includes:
Mississippi State University, Starkville, Miss. - Integrating desalination
and wastewater treatment systems for enhanced water and energy recovery and
creating user-friendly design tools for sustainable wastewater treatment in
rural and disadvantaged communities.
Since 2004, the P3 Program has provided funding to student teams in all 50
states and Puerto Rico, committing over $10 million to cutting-edge,
sustainable projects designed by university students. Projects from this
year's teams include a new device for generating electricity from sunlight
that could be used on exterior walls of buildings; extending the growing
season for farmers by heating greenhouses with biomass; and reducing diesel
emissions for vehicles while lowering costs and improving fuel economy.
Funding for the P3 projects is divided into two phases. In the first phase,
student teams submit a proposal for a project, and if they are selected,
they compete with other Phase I winners at the National Sustainable Design
Expo in Washington, D.C. At the Expo, teams compete for Phase II funding of
up to $75,000. This is the 11th year for the EPA P3 Program.
More information on the 2014 P3 Phase I Projects:
http://epa.gov/ncer/2014P3grantees
For more information on the P3 Program: www.epa.gov/ncer/p3/
EPA Finds Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments of Little or No Benefit to U.S.
Soybean Production
Washington --- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released an analysis of the benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatments for
insect control in soybeans. Neonicotinoid pesticides are a class of
insecticides widely used on U.S. crops that EPA is reviewing with
particular emphasis for their impact on pollinators. The analysis concluded
that there is little or no increase in soybean yields using most
neonicotinoid seed treatments when compared to using no pest control at
all. A Federal Register notice inviting the public to comment on the
analysis will publish in the near future.
"We have made the review of neonicotinoid pesticides a high priority," said
Jim Jones, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention. "In our analysis of the economic benefits of this use
we concluded that, on a national scale, U.S. soybean farmers see little or
no benefit from neonicotinoid seed treatments."
During the review of the neonicotinoids, EPA found that many scientific
publications claim that treating soybean seeds has little value. Part of
our assessment examined the effectiveness of these seed treatments for pest
control and estimated the impacts on crop yields and quality, as well as
financial losses and gains. The law requires EPA to consider the benefits
of using pesticides as well as the risks.
The analysis concluded that:
· There is no increase in soybean yield using most neonicotinoid seed
treatments when compared to using no pest control at all.
· Alternative insecticides applied as sprays are available and
effective.
· All major alternatives are comparable in cost.
· Neonicotinoid seed treatment could provide an insurance benefit
against sporadic and unpredictable insect pests, but this potential
benefit is not likely to be large or widespread throughout the United
States.
This analysis is an important part of the science EPA will use to move
forward with the assessment of the risks and benefits under registration
review for the neonicotinoid pesticides. Registration review --- the
periodic re-evaluation of pesticides to determine if they continue to meet
the safety standard --- can result in EPA discontinuing certain uses,
placing limits on the pesticide registration, and requiring other label
changes.
Sign up for pesticide program updates to be notified by email when the EPA
opens the docket and invites comment on its analysis of the benefits of
neonicotinoid seed treatments on soybeans.
Offshore Oil Platform Owner to Improve Safety and Operations in Gulf of
Mexico Following Unauthorized Oil Discharges
EPA and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement secure settlement in
first joint judicial enforcement action under Clean Water Act and Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act
WASHINGTON — Under a settlement agreement with the United States, ATP
Infrastructure Partners, LP (ATP-IP) will pay a $1 million civil penalty
and perform corrective measures to resolve claims by the U.S. under the
Clean Water Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) of
unauthorized discharges of oil and chemicals from an oil platform into the
Gulf of Mexico, announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior's Bureau of
Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). This is the first joint
judicial enforcement action involving EPA and BSEE claims in response to
alleged violations of both the Clean Water Act and OCSLA.
The United States' complaint, which was filed in February 2013, in the U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, alleges that oil and
an unauthorized chemical dispersant were discharged into the Gulf of Mexico
from ATP-IP's oil and gas production platform known as the ATP Innovator.
A BSEE inspection of the ATP Innovator in 2012 revealed alleged unlawful
discharges of oil and a piping configuration that routed an unpermitted
chemical dispersant into the facility's wastewater discharge pipe to mask
excess oil being discharged into the ocean. At the time of the discovery,
ATP Oil & Gas Corporation (ATP) was the operator of the facility, and
ATP-IP was, and remains, the owner. The ATP Innovator was operating in the
Mississippi Canyon, approximately 45 nautical miles offshore of
southeastern Louisiana. Earlier this year, the ATP Innovator was removed
from the deepwater production site and towed to port in Corpus Christi.
The United States filed suit against ATP and ATP-IP seeking Clean Water Act
penalties and corrective measures under the Clean Water Act and OCSLA.
ATP-IP's motion to dismiss the claims against it and a related motion for
appeal were both denied by the court in 2013. In addition to the penalty
and corrective measures, ATP-IP will conduct enhanced reporting to address
safety and environmental concerns. The Clean Water Act and OCSLA claims
against ATP are not part of this settlement with ATP-IP and remain pending
before the district court for future resolution.
"EPA and its federal partners are committed to ensuring that offshore
energy production is done safely and responsibly," said Cynthia Giles,
assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance. "Discharging oil illegally can foul water, harm wildlife and is
unfair to companies that follow the law. It is our obligation to protect
local communities and companies playing by the rules."
"The Justice Department is committed to protecting public health and marine
ecosystems like the Gulf from unlawful and unsafe practices," said Sam
Hirsch, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's
Environment and Natural Resources Division. "This joint enforcement
action demonstrates our resolve to hold non-operating owners of oil
production facilities and their operators accountable for unlawful
discharges from their facilities, and will result in important steps to
help prevent future unlawful discharges of oil and chemicals from the ATP
facility."
"Our mission is to ensure offshore operations are conducted safely and in
accordance with federal regulations to protect workers and the
environment," said BSEE Director Brian Salerno. "When violations occur, we
will exercise our full authority, and leverage the authorities of our
sister agencies, to hold companies accountable. We appreciate the EPA's
and DOJ's assistance in bringing these claims to resolution."
Under the Clean Water Act it is illegal to discharge oil or hazardous
substances into or upon waters of the contiguous zone or in connection with
activities under OCSLA in quantities that may be harmful to the environment
or public health or welfare. The penalty paid for these violations will be
deposited in the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the
National Pollution Fund Center. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is used
to pay for federal response activities and to compensate for damages when
there is a discharge or substantial threat of discharge of oil or hazardous
substances.
Although ATP-IP took the Innovator out of operation earlier this year, it
must perform corrective measures to ensure safe and lawful future
operations. In particular, ATP-IP must remove and seal the connection on
the wastewater discharge outfall pipe that was used to inject chemical
dispersants, thereby permanently eliminating the access point for
improperly injecting dispersants into the wastewater discharge pipe.
Additionally, prior to any future use of the ATP Innovator for exploration,
development or production activities in U.S. waters, ATP-IP will have to
certify to EPA, BSEE and DOJ:
- that the facility has sufficient wastewater treatment equipment
and operational plans to meet and maintain Clean Water Act permit discharge
limits and prevent unlawful discharge of pollutants to offshore waters at
all times,
- the facility's surface production-safety systems will be
maintained in a manner that provides for protection of the environment
under BSEE regulations, and
- all facility operations will be performed in a safe and
workmanlike manner in accordance with BSEE regulations.
As a further safeguard, ATP-IP will be required to have the ATP Innovator's
wastewater treatment operations and surface production-safety systems
independently audited for Clean Water Act and OCSLA compliance if the
facility is used or leased in the future by ATP-IP or a related entity.
The proposed consent decree, lodged in the Eastern District of Louisiana,
is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court review and approval.
A copy of the consent decree is available on the Department of Justice
website at http://www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html
EPA Honors the Winners of the 19th Annual Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Awards
Winning technologies tackle climate change and promote energy efficiency
WASHINGTON –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing
landmark green chemistry technologies developed by industrial pioneers and
leading scientists that turn climate risk into business opportunities,
spurring innovation and economic development.
"From academia to business, we congratulate those who bring green solutions
and help solve critical environmental problems," said Jim Jones, EPA's
Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
"These innovations reduce energy, chemicals and water waste while cutting
manufacturing costs, and sparking investments. Ultimately, these chemicals
and products are safer for people's health and the environment. We will
continue to work with the 2014 winners as their technologies are adopted in
the marketplace."
The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards are presented in five
categories: academic, small business, greener synthetic pathways, greener
reaction conditions and designing greener chemicals. The awardees will be
honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC.
In the small business category:
Amyris Inc. of Emeryville, California, is being recognized for engineering
yeast to make a renewable fuel replacement for petroleum diesel. Making and
burning this bus and truck fuel could reduce 82 percent of green-house gas
emissions as compared to petroleum diesel. Since carbon pollution increases
our costs in health care and other impacts, this technology could save tens
of thousands of dollars each year.
In the academic category:
Professor Shannon Stahl, University of Wisconsin-Madison, is being
recognized for discovering a way to safely and efficiently use oxygen
instead of hazardous chemicals in a step commonly used to make medicine.
If brought to market, these methods could have a big impact on the
industry, reducing chemicals and waste, and saving companies time and
money.
In the "greener reaction conditions, designing greener chemicals, and
greener synthetic pathways" categories:
Solazyme, Inc., of South San Francisco, California, is being recognized for
developing novel oils from sugar and engineered algae in a way that
significantly reduces the environmental effects that typically occur in
producing and processing petroleum-based or plant-based oils. Soaps,
laundry detergents, food products, fuels, and industrial products can now
be produced with greatly reduced energy, water and waste, saving money. The
company's palm-oil equivalent can help reduce deforestation and greenhouse
gases that can occur from cultivation of palm oil.
QD Vision, Inc. of Lexington, Massachusetts, for developing a process to
make more efficient LED lighting and displays for TVs and mobile devices
with less environmental impacts and waste. The new LED lighting material
may make it possible to save 36 percent of your T.V. energy costs. Using
their technology in just 10 percent of flat-screen TVs can save 600 million
kilowatt-hours worldwide every year. That is enough to provide electricity
for 50,000 homes for one year. Even better, producing these materials
avoids using an estimated 40,000 gallons of solvents per year. This
technology brings massive energy savings and is good for the planet with
reduced carbon and heavy metals emissions, and less use of toxic chemicals.
The Solberg Company of Green Bay, Wisconsin, for developing a safer foam
using surfactants and sugars that can fight fires better than traditional
foams that rely on persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. One of
the world's largest oil and gas companies will be using this foam to fight
fuel fires and spills. The product works better and is safer – a win-win
for industry and protecting our health and the environment.
During the 19 years of the program, EPA has received more than 1,500
nominations and presented awards to 98 technologies. Winning technologies
over the lifetime of the program are responsible for reducing the use or
generation of more than 826 million pounds of hazardous chemicals, saving
21 billion gallons of water, and eliminating 7.8 billion pounds of carbon
dioxide equivalent releases to air.
EPA's Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Program award winners have
significantly reduced the hazards associated with designing, manufacturing,
and using chemicals. An independent panel of technical experts convened by
the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute formally judged
submissions from among scores of nominated technologies and made
recommendations to EPA for the 2014 winners.
The 2014 awards event will be held in conjunction with an industry
partners' roundtable.
More information: http://www2.epa.gov/green-chemistry .
