Latest news: February 21, 2012

02.21.2012 | In Latest News, Uncategorized

House approves giving 80 percent of BP oil spill fines to Gulf fund
By Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 17, 2012.
“The House gave voice vote approval Thursday to an amendment that would dedicate 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines from the 2010 BP oil spill to a new Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. The vote was a key victory for supporters of using the fine money to finance environmental restoration in the five Gulf states, but only a first step…” (Read more)

Congress takes a step forward on BP fines: An editorial
Editorial, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 18, 2012.
“A House vote Thursday that approved dedicating 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines to Gulf Coast states is a significant step toward giving Louisiana and its neighbors fair treatment following the 2010 BP disaster. Rep. Steve Scalise wrote the amendment, which is attached to a Republican bill that calls for a major expansion of domestic energy exploration…” (Read more)

Restore Act takes a step forward
Editorial, The Houma Courier. Feb. 19, 2012.
“Before 2010’s catastrophic Gulf of Mexico oil spill had even been stopped, some had started talking about where the money from the eventual fines would go…” (Read more)

Gulf of Mexico oil spill partial settlement would give Louisiana $13.5 million
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. February 17, 2012.
“MOEX Offshore 2007 LLC has agreed to settle its liability in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill with the federal government in a settlement valued at $90 million, the Justice Department, U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency announced today. Included is $13.5 million in fines and money for environmental projects that will be spent in Louisiana…” (Read more)

BP Spill Deal Possible This Week After Mitsui, Analyst Says
By Brian Swint, Bloomberg Businessweek. Feb. 20, 2012.
“Feb. 20 (Bloomberg) — BP Plc, operator of the Macondo well that caused the U.S.’s worst oil spill, may reach a settlement for the disaster this week after a partner agreed on fines, an Oppenheimer & Co. analyst said…” (Read more)

Bass’ arrival in Bayou Perot signals coming of needed change
By Bob Marshall, The Times-Picayune. Feb. 19, 2012.
“The marsh bass Sidney Bourgeois just pulled from the canal on the western shoreline of Bayou Perot on Wednesday morning was a real fatty, a broad-shouldered fighter showing a belly already sagging with the next generation, a burden that helped it top 3 pounds. He released the bass back into the canal and started casting for more, which he knew he would catch…” (Read more)

BP oil spill’s effects need watching
Editorial, Tampa Bay Times. Feb. 20, 2012.
“The BP oil spill may have faded from the front pages, but its impact should be monitored for years. That’s the lesson from a recent government-funded survey of the Gulf of Mexico that found more sick fish in the area of the 2010 spill than anywhere else…” (Read more)

Coastal program could lose federal money
By Nikki Buskey, The Houma Courier. Feb. 17, 2012.
“A federal coastal-restoration program that’s helped pay for major projects in Terrebonne and Lafourche could be severely cut under President Barack Obama’s 2013 budget…” (Read more)