Oil Spill
BP agrees to pay Mississippi additional $1.5 billion over 17 years
SUN HERALD
BILOXI -- Gov. Phil Bryant and Attorney General Jim Hood announced Thursday
in Biloxi that Mississippi has reached an agreement with BP to settle
claims related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The settlement will
bring approximately $1.5 billion in additional relief to Mississippi over
the next 17 years, Hood's office said in a press release. Combined with
$659 million in early funding, Mississippi is receiving a total of nearly
$2.2 billion in compensation.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/02/6304315/bp-agrees-to-pay-mississippi-additional.html
Mississippi to receive $2.2B in settlement with BP over oil spill
WAPT
BILOXI, Miss. —Officials in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana
have announced an $18.7 billion settlement with BP that resolves years of
litigation over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
http://www.wapt.com/news/mississippi/mississippi-to-receive-22b-in-settlement-with-bp-over-oil-spill/33948912?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=TWITTER&utm_campaign=16WAPTNews&Content%20Type=Story
Mississippi to receive $2.2 billion in BP settlement
WLOX
Mississippi will receive almost $2.2 billion in compensation for the 2010
BP oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi Governor Phil
Bryant made that announcement Thursday morning at a news conference in
Biloxi. He was joined by Attorney General Jim Hood, who said the first
payment of $150 million is scheduled for January 2016.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29460742/mississippi-to-receive-22-billion-in-bp-settlement
Mississippi to receive $1.5 billion in BP settlement
Clarion Ledger
Gov. Phil Bryant and Attorney General Jim Hood this morning in
Biloxi announced the state has an "agreement in principle" with BP
to settle litigation from the 2010 oil disaster.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/07/02/bp-oil-settlement/29610475/
Gulf states reach $18.7B settlement with BP over oil spill
AP
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Officials in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana
announced an $18.7 billion settlement with BP on Thursday that resolves
years of litigation over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/0509eaed8a55436ea9b2d39766e79554/gulf-states-reach-187b-settlement-bp-over-oil-spill
BP Agrees to Pay $18.7 Billion to Settle Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Claims
Wall Street Journal
LONDON— BP PLC on Thursday said it agreed to pay $18.7 billion over 18
years to settle all federal and state claims arising from the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill, ending a significant portion of litigation still
outstanding from the deadly accident five years ago.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/bp-agrees-to-pay-18-7-billion-to-settle-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-claims-1435842739
NRDA comment period extended
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- Natural Resource Damage Assessment trustees have extended the
public-comment period for the Draft Phase IV Early Restoration Plan and
Environmental Assessments. The draft, which proposes 10 more
early-restoration projects, is available for review and comment through
Monday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/07/01/6303828_around-south-mississippi.html?rh=1
State
'Freaky bad' earthquake third recently
By MICHAEL SIMMONS
Madison County Journal
Patsy Turner Benson said Monday morning's earthquake "felt like a wrecking
ball hit the house, and it knocked it off the foundation."
http://onlinemadison.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=30398
New name and company for Dupont Delisle plant
WLOX
The Dupont plant in Delisle officially has a new name, and a new set of
executives. The Chemours Company has completed its spin-off from DuPont.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29451556/new-name-and-company-for-dupont-delisle-plant?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Long dormant real estate project restarted
Sea Coast Echo
By Jody O'Hara
Jun 25, 2015, 10:24
A local developer came before the Stone County Utility Association at it's
Monday meeting for assurances that organization could provide waste water
services for a subdivision in south Stone County.
http://www.stonecountyenterprise.com/article_2683.shtml
Decision on EPA case could help Mississippi in the long-term
Watchdog Blog
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision stopping an expensive air quality rule
may be good for Mississippi in the long-term.
http://watchdog.org/226866/epa-case/
Field days showcase soil moisture sensors
Delta Farm Press
Mississippi row crop producers who irrigate their crops can learn the
benefits of soil moisture sensors during two separate field days planned
for July and August.
http://deltafarmpress.com/management/field-days-showcase-soil-moisture-sensors
Regional
Train derailment prompts evacuation in Tennessee
AP
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An area high school has been set up as a shelter
for residents who've had to evacuate after a train carrying a flammable gas
derailed and caught fire in eastern Tennessee.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Train-derailment-prompts-evacuation-in-Tennessee/CzAKWqGKbkacGz6PmgcryA.cspx
National
Oklahoma sues to stop Obama's climate rule
The Hill
Oklahoma's attorney general filed a lawsuit Wednesday to stop the Obama
administration's signature proposed climate change regulation.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/246727-oklahoma-sues-to-stop-obamas-climate-rule
Regulators seek faster pipeline spill notifications
The Hill
Federal regulators want operators of pipelines for oil and other materials
to notify federal officials within an hour after breaches and leaks.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/246701-regulators-seek-faster-pipeline-spill-notifications
Flood Maps Can Get Much Sharper With A Little Supercomputing Oomph
NPR
A small company in California is hoping to make a big splash by providing
detailed flood maps to homeowners and insurance companies. And to do that,
the company is using one of the fastest supercomputers in the world.
http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2015/06/30/418643595/flood-maps-can-get-much-sharper-with-a-little-supercomputing-oomph?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=science&utm_medium=social&utm_term=nprnews
Press Releases
Mississippi Reaches Landmark Agreement in BP Oil Spill Disaster Case
BILOXI—Gov. Phil Bryant and Attorney General Jim Hood announced today in
Biloxi that Mississippi has reached an agreement in principle with BP to
settle claims related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The
settlement will bring approximately $1.5 billion in additional relief to
Mississippi over the next 17 years. Combined with $659 million in early
funding, Mississippi is receiving a total of nearly $2.2 billion in
compensation.
The Deepwater Horizon Macondo oil well drilling platform exploded on April
20, 2010. Eleven men, including four Mississippians, were killed.
"Mississippi suffered tragic losses as a result of the BP oil spill. Eleven
men died, including four Mississippians." Gov. Phil Bryant said. "For
months, we battled to protect our shorelines and the unique ecosystems and
natural resources of our beautiful Gulf Coast from millions of gallons of
oil and chemicals.
"And for years, we have worked diligently to pursue all legal recourse and
rightful compensation resulting from this disaster. Today is a victory for
Mississippi and a victory for a treasured way of life on the Gulf Coast,"
Gov. Bryant continued.
Under the $1.5 billion agreement in principle with BP, Mississippi will
receive approximately $183 million in Natural Resource Damage Assessment
payments and approximately $582 million in Clean Water Act penalties under
the RESTORE Act. Mississippi will also receive $750 million in economic
damages.
Attorney General Jim Hood stated, "Our office recovered about seven times
more than the initial projections for economic damages. We worked well with
other states and all of the cities and counties on our Coast to build an
outstanding economic damages model."
Breakdown of New Agreement in Principle
The $1.5 billion agreement in principle includes:
· Approximately $183 million in Natural Resource Damage Assessment
payments, to be paid over 15 years, which will be used primarily for
environmental restoration;
· approximately $582 million in Clean Water Act penalties under the
RESTORE Act. These funds will be paid over 15 years and used
primarily for environmental projects, research and economic
development;
· $750 million in economic damages paid over 17 years as a result of
Mississippi's own lawsuit against BP. Mississippi is scheduled to
receive a payment of $150 million in 2016 and equal yearly payments
of $40 million from 2019-2033. The funds will be available for
appropriation by the Mississippi Legislature.
Breakdown of $659 Million in Early Funding
· $112.557 million in Natural Resource Damage Assessment Early
Restoration payments;
· $106 million in early RESTORE Act payments;
· $356 million in National Fish and Wildlife Foundation payments;
· $85.168 in initial response payments.
TOTAL RESTORATION FUNDS TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: $2.174 billion.
The agreement in principle with BP also provides up to $1 billion to settle
claims in the five Gulf States between BP and local governments and other
public entities. Settlement amounts for individual governments and public
entities, including those in Mississippi, have not yet been determined.
Discussions are ongoing, and an announcement is expected on or about July
12.
"We remain committed to ensuring that our coast counties and cities are
included in any settlement and treated fairly," added Attorney General Jim
Hood. "I am pleased to say we are upholding our promise." Hood continued,
"The size and scope of this settlement is the result of a successful
partnership of all the gulf states and our state agencies. Together, we
held BP accountable for the damage it caused."
"We have made significant progress since the BP disaster," Gov. Bryant
said. "Today's announcement ensures that long lasting recovery will
continue."
###
Jul 01 2015
Wicker, Cochran Back Biomass Energy
Miss. Senators Urge Agencies to Remove Uncertainties
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran,
R-Miss., are urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Energy (DOE)
to recognize and support biomass energy as a sustainable and economically
significant energy source. Wicker and Cochran were joined by a bipartisan
group of 44 senators in sending the letter.
"Biomass could have an enormous impact on our nation's energy capabilities,
job creation, and economic growth," Wicker said. "Cutting red tape is an
important step as we work to unlock forest bioenergy as a realistic,
renewable energy source."
"Wood-based bioenergy offers great potential for improving national energy
security and job creation and should be a more important part of America's
comprehensive energy plan. Federal agencies need to remove regulatory
barriers that hinder forest biofuel production, which could be more
widespread throughout the Southern states," said Cochran, who promoted
biofuel provisions in the 2014 farm bill.
The letter – led by Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Jeff Merkley,
D-Ore. – highlights the importance of forest bioenergy and encourages the
agencies to ensure that federal policies are consistent and reflect the
carbon neutrality of biomass derived from residuals of forest products in
manufacturing and agriculture.
Full text of the letter:
June 30, 2015
The Honorable Gina McCarthy
Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
The Honorable Dr. Ernest Moniz
Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20585
Dear Administrator McCarthy, Secretary Moniz, and Secretary Vilsack:
We write to support biomass energy as a sustainable, responsible,
renewable, and economically significant energy source. Federal policies
across all departments and agencies must remove any uncertainties and
contradictions through a clear, unambiguous message that forest bioenergy
is part of the nation's energy future.
Many states are relying on renewable biomass to meet their energy goals,
and we support renewable biomass to create jobs and economic growth while
meeting our nation's energy needs. A comprehensive science, technical, and
legal administrative record supports a clear and simple policy establishing
the benefits of energy from forest biomass. Federal policies that add
unnecessary costs and complexity will discourage rather than encourage
investment in working forests, harvesting operations, bioenergy, wood
products, and paper manufacturing. Unclear or contradictory signals from
federal agencies could discourage biomass utilization as an energy
solution.
The carbon neutrality of forest biomass has been recognized repeatedly by
numerous studies, agencies, institutions, legislation, and rules around the
world, and there has been no dispute about the carbon neutrality of biomass
derived from residuals of forest products manufacturing and agriculture.
Our constituents employed in the biomass supply chain deserve a federal
policy that recognizes the clear benefits of forest bioenergy. We urge you
to ensure that federal policies are consistent and reflect the carbon
neutrality of forest bioenergy.
EPA Proposes to Cancel Some Uses of an Insecticide Commonly Used for
Residential, Industrial and Commercial Purposes
The agency found unacceptable risks to human health when sprayed indoors
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing
to cancel certain uses of the insecticide propoxur after preliminary human
health assessment found risks from certain applications.
"Today, we are taking strong steps to protect human health—especially the
health of children—from this widely used insecticide," said Jim Jones,
assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention. "The agency will continue its work to reduce exposure from
pesticides that pose the greatest risk to those who are the most
vulnerable."
From 1995 to 2013, EPA has reduced exposure from carbamates, the class of
insecticide that includes propoxur. The use of carbamates has fallen by 70
percent.
EPA and the registrant reached an agreement to voluntarily cancel certain
uses of propoxur. At the same time, EPA is proposing to cancel certain
other pesticide registrations. Voluntary cancellation is the quickest way
to fully address these risks, and best protect public health. EPA is
proposing to cancel all indoor aerosol, spray and liquid formulations of
propoxur inside hospitals and other commercial or institutional facilities
where children may be present and all use in food-handling establishments.
After these cancellations, there would be no remaining food uses, and no
tolerances levels for propoxur. In 2007, EPA cancelled the use of propoxur
sprays inside homes, day care facilities, and schools, and in 2014, EPA
cancelled propoxur pet collars. Today's action was conducted as part of the
agency's registration review program.
EPA is requesting a 30 day comment period that will begin upon publication
in the Federal Register at: www.regulations.gov and searching for
EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0296.
EPA is posting a pre-publication copy at:
http://www2.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/proposed-cancellation-certain-uses-propoxur
