Latest Mississippi River Delta News: July 30, 2013
BP Says Spill Fund Is Running on Fumes
By Selina Williams. The Wall Street Journal. July 30, 2013.
“LONDON—BP BP.LN -3.28% PLC said Tuesday that the $20 billion fund it set up to cover the cost of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill will soon run out, as compensation claims have accelerated despite legal efforts from the company to halt what it claims are excessive payouts…” (Read more).
Lift hold on clients’ Gulf oil spill claims payments, law firm urges judge
By Mark Schleifstein. The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.). July 29, 2013.
“A New Orleans law firm representing more than 600 individuals and companies with pending BP oil spill economic damage claims has urged the federal judge overseeing the settlement between BP and claimants to remove his hold on their claims, which was put in place…” (Read more).
State requests oil spill fine money for barrier islands, diversions
By Nikki Buskey. Houma Courier (Houma, La.). July 29, 2013
“State officials with the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority are requesting $68 million in oil fine money for barrier island and river diversion projects in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. The state is requesting the money from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation…” (Read more).
Louisiana seafood export efforts ramp up
By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch. The Times-Picayune. July 29, 2013.
“As the effort ramps up to send more Louisiana seafood aboard, metro New Orleans seafood processors, suppliers and fishers are encouraged to attend two free export training seminars inBelle Chasse and Arabi on Tuesday and Wednesday…” (Read more).
Spill Deal’s Big Winners Shouldn’t Be Plaintiffs’ Lawyers
Opinion by Geoff Morrell. The Louisiana Record. July 30, 2013.
“In recent weeks, plaintiffs’ lawyers have published opinion pieces in Gulf Coast newspapers attacking BP for identifying grave problems with the administration of a settlement we reached with them last year.The plaintiffs’ lawyers say the settlement –which is supposed to compensate…” (Read more).
Oil and gas industry must pay for the damage it’s caused: Lt. General Russel L. Honore
Opinion Editorial The Times-Picayune. July 29, 2013.
“It’s high hurricane season, the time of year when the threat of sudden disaster hangs like a dark and foreboding cloud over the people of southern Louisiana. For me, it’s personal. Eight years ago, I flew into New Orleans aboard a Navy aircraft on a blistering August morning, after Hurricane Katrina left 80 percent of the city under as much as 20 feet of water…” (Read more).
Hercules 265 Well Fire: Scientists Test Gulf Of Mexico Water For Pollution
By Stacey Plaisance. Associated Press. July 29, 2013.
“NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO (AP) — Scientists from several universities are working to learn whether a gas well that blew wild last week off the Louisiana coast is polluting the Gulf of Mexico. Joseph Montoya, a biology professor with Georgia Tech, was performing tests aboard a vessel…” (Read more).
Gulf’s dead zone is smaller than predicted, but still a large problem
By Amy Wold. The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.). July 29, 2013.
“Measurements and scientific research aside, mud-dwelling crabs and eels swimming at the water’s surface in an attempt to get air was a good indication there are oxygen problems down below in the Gulf of Mexico. That’s what researchers saw during a research cruise July 21-28 in the Gulf…” (Read more).
2010 Spill: Still a Natural Disaster
By The Weather Channel. July 26, 2013.
“Three years after the largest spill in U.S. history, the National Wildlife Federation says the impacts from the tragic event are ‘far from over…'” (Watch video).