Latest Mississippi River Delta news: Aug. 15, 2013

08.15.2013 | In Latest News, Uncategorized

BP Asks Judge to Deny Investors’ Bid to Sue as Group Over Spill
By Laurel Calkins and Margaret Cronin Fisk, Bloomberg Businessweek. Aug. 15, 2013.
“BP Plc (BP/) asked a federal judge to deny U.S. investors the right to pursue a class action, or group, lawsuit claiming the company misled them before and after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill…” (read more).

Legislators question levee lawsuit
By Michelle Millhollon, The Advocate (Baton Rouge). Aug. 15, 2013.
“Legislators delving into a controversial lawsuit against the oil and gas industry got into a war of words Wednesday between the Jindal administration and New Orleans-area levee board officials…” (read more).

Opposition to suing oil firms is politically motivated: Letter
Letter to the Editor by Ronald R. Besson, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). Aug. 14, 2013.
“Re: “Levee group opposes lawsuit, ” Metro, Aug. 11. Why not allow this lawsuit to be decided in a court of law?…” (read more).

Lawmakers criticize Flood Protection Authority for suing oil and gas companies
By Bob Marshall, The Lens (New Orleans). Aug. 14, 2013.
“When the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East filed its lawsuit against oil and gas companies for damages to coastal wetlands last month, vice president John Barry said he fully expected serious blowback from much of Louisiana’s political establishment…” (read more).

Tropical Depression 5 forms in eastern Atlantic, low pressure in Caribbean threatens to be T.D. 6
By Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). Aug. 14, 2013.
“Tropical Depression 5 formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean near the Cape Verde Islands late Wednesday, and a low pressure system approaching Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula continues to show signs of becoming a tropical system in the next 48 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center…” (read more).

Scientific Study Raises Questions over Extent of BP Oil Spill Toxicity and Status of Gulf of Mexico Fisheries
By Ted Williams, Fly Rod & Reel Online. Aug. 15, 2013.
“A collaborative team of independent scientists has just released a research study of various toxic compounds associated with the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM)…” (read more).

State coastal chief assails suit against oil, gas
By Kevin McGill, The Associated Press. Aug. 15, 2013.
“A south Louisiana flood prevention board’s lawsuit against oil and gas companies is an assault on a vital job-producing industry and throws a monkey wrench into a coordinated state effort to save and restore Louisiana’s eroding coast, the state’s top coastal official told a legislative panel Wednesday…” (read more).

Post-Katrina study: New Orleans rebuilding, but struggling with erosion, low education
By Kevin McGill, The Associated Press. Aug. 14, 2013.
“Recovery after Hurricane Katrina has been a major reason for a doubling of construction jobs around New Orleans, a new study shows…” (read more).

Busiest part of hurricane season begins
By Nicondra Norwood, FOX 8 (New Orleans). Aug. 14, 2013.
“Nerves can run high in south Louisiana when it comes to stormy weather. The traditional peak of hurricane season is about a month away, and a good way to calm those nerves is to take stock of your hurricane plan now…” (read more).

Two storms could threaten Gulf — one as quickly as this weekend
By Mississippi Business Journal blog. Aug. 14, 2013.
“Two possible tropical storms are developing just in time for the traditional peak of the Atlantic hurricane season…” (read more).

Lawmakers, flood authority spar over wetlands lawsuit
By Lauren McGaughy, NOLA.com | The Times Picayune (New Orleans). Aug. 14, 2013.
“Members of a New Orleans levee authority got an earful from state lawmakers in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, during a three-hour meeting to discuss the massive lawsuit the group filed against the oil and gas industry. Legislators said the authority should have coordinated with other state agencies and criticized the decision to employ trial lawyers for the case…” (read more).