Latest news: March 9, 2012

Senate approves amendment giving Gulf states 80 percent of BP spill fines
By Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune. March 8, 2012.
“In a major boost for Louisiana’s coastal restoration efforts, the Senate voted 76-22 Thursday to direct 80 percent of any Clean Water Act fines assessed in the 2010 BP oil spill to the five Gulf states. The fines are expected to be in the billions of dollars…” (Read more)

RESTORE Act passed Senate due to compromise, turning Marco Rubio against it
By Bruce Alpert, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). March 9, 2012.
“WASHINGTON – A last-minute compromise that provided $1.4 billion for the Land and Water Conservation Fund was enough to help pull 10 to 12 extra votes as the Senate approved landmark legislation allocating the bulk of BP Gulf oil spill penalties under the Clean Water Act for five Gulf States, according to Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La…” (Read more)

Senate blocks bid to accelerate Keystone XL pipeline
By Matthew Daly, The Associated Press. March 8, 2012.
“WASHINGTON — Under pressure from the White House, the Democratic-controlled Senate on Thursday blocked a Republican bid to speed approval of an oil pipeline from Canada to Texas…” (Read more)

U.S. Senate Backs Billions for Gulf Restoration
By David Malakoff, Science Insider. March 8, 2012.
“Ecological and economic restoration efforts along the Gulf of Mexico could be getting a major injection of cash. The U.S. Senate today voted 76-22 to approve the RESTORE Act, which would divert 80% of any fines and penalties paid by oil giant BP for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill to restoration activities in five Gulf Coast states…” (Read more)