Latest news: September 21, 2011

Senate committee passes oil spill fine proposal

By George Altman, Press-Register (Mobile, Al.). September 21 2011.

“A Senate committee this morning approved a bill to send 80 percent of oil spill fine money to Gulf Coast states, after making minor changes to the legislation…”

Bill Steering Oil-Spill Fines to States Gets Support

By Tennille Tracy, Wall Street Journal. September 21, 2011.

“WASHINGTON—Gulf Coast lawmakers scored a victory in their efforts to steer billions of dollars of oil-spill fines to their states, with a U.S. Senate committee passing a bill Wednesday that directs 80% of fines likely to be paid by BP PLC to the region for restoration work…”

Senate committee approves BP oil spill bill

By Mississippi Business Journal staff. September 21, 2011.

“MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST — A U.S. Senate committee has approved legislation that would provide Mississippi and other Gulf Coast states with a significant share of federal fines paid by BP for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill…”

Coastal restoration areas top agenda

By Mike Nixon, Tri-Parish Times (Terrebonne, La.). September 21, 2011.

“As part of an ongoing series of public meetings to go beyond talk and institute action toward coastal restoration, the America’s Wetland Foundation and its America’s Energy Coast initiative will conduct an information and planning forum at the Courtyard by Marriott in Houma on Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m…”

Senate should give its seal of approval to RESTORE Act

By Editorial Staff, Sun Herald (Biloxi-Gulfport and South Mississippi). September 20, 2011.

“The Environment and Public Works Committee of the U.S. Senate is scheduled to consider the RESTORE the Gulf Coast Act of 2011 today. Committee approval would make the legislation — on which Mississippi’s Republican senators, Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker are original cosponsors — available for consideration by the full Senate…”