Last Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) released a map depicting the likelihood that surface oil from the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill will impact additional U.S. coastline, based on modeling of historical wind and ocean currents.
Environmental and Sustainability Law
Life in the Green Lane: It’s summertime … Bring on the ice cream and popsicles!
Nothing says summer to me like ice cream and popsicles. And desserts that feature organic ingredients are win win.
EPA Comments on Kerry + Leiberman’s American Power Act
After guarding the details for months, on May 13, Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman introduced the American Power Act, the Senate’s version of a comprehensive energy bill. (Note that according to political insiders it is now passé to refer to anything as solely “cap and trade” in Washington). Approximately a month later, on June 15, EPA released its economic analysis of the act, comparing and contrasting it to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (“ACES”), the energy bill that passed the House in June 2009. That bill was still in consideration in the Senate when Sen. Kerry and Sen. Lieberman proposed the… Read more
Federal judge blocks moratorium on deepwater drilling; Administration will appeal
In a ruling handed down yesterday, U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman struck down the Obama administration’s 6 month moratorium on new deepwater drilling projects. The Administration immediately responded that the decision would be appealed and a new order issued.
EPA Supports Superfund “Polluter Pays” Provision
EPA sent a letter to Congress today in support of reinstating the lapsed Superfund “polluter pays” taxes.
Political and Public Relations Pressure on Display in Wake of BP Oil Spill as Legal Questions Continue to Mount
Posted by Chris Bowers. cbowers@sgrlaw.com The BP oil spill and its aftermath continue to break uncharted territory, both legal and otherwise. Lawsuits continue to mount following the April 20, 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and resultant release of an estimated 35,000 to 60,000 barrels of oil per day, including a record $19 Billion Clean Water Act suit brought against the energy company and the rig’s operator Transocean Ltd. by The Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group. Following several failed attempts to cap the well, the ongoing spill and its after effects continue to be a public spectacle and… Read more
Cap & Tax or Cap & Trade: A luncheon featuring Tom Cushing of the Chicago Climate Exchange
Please join SGR, the Council for Quality Growth and Southeast Green this Wednesday, June 23, 2010, for a luncheon featuring Tom Cushing, Senior Vice President of Membership of the Chicago Climate Exchange. Mr. Cushing will speak on the impact of potential federal legislation and cost effective alternatives. He will discuss topics including the proposed cap and trade legislation; what this legislation means for building owners and managers and how it may affect growth and development; and case studies on private market solutions. The luncheon will be held at the W Atlanta Perimeter from 11.30 a.m. until 1.00 p.m. For more information,… Read more
BP to Fund $20bn Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Payout
Breaking News. BBC News reports that BP will be placing $20 billion in a compensation fund for victims of the Gulf oil spill and BP chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said dividends would not be paid to shareholders for the rest of this year. For more information, and the complete BBC story, please visit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/us_and_canada/10335114.stm
Data Centers Can Now Earn Energy Star Label
Data centers account for 1.5 percent of the total U.S. electricity consumption at a cost of $4.5 billion annually, an amount that is expected to almost double over the next five years according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In an attempt to reduce that energy use and cost, EPA announced recently that stand-alone data centers and buildings that house large data centers can now earn the Energy Star label. To earn the label, data centers must be in the top 25 percent of their peers in energy efficiency according to EPA’s energy performance scale. Prior to receiving the Energy… Read more
Lightning Sets Fire to BP Oil Containment Ship.
The Associated Press reports that a bolt of lightning struck the ship that was capturing oil from the spill in the Gulf, igniting a fire that halted these containment efforts on the ship. The fire was apparently quickly extinguished, no one was injured, and BP representatives say they hope to resume work today. (Reportedly, engineers are siphoning about 630,000 gallons of oil a day.) This story is evolving as more information becomes available.