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Weekly News Roundup – January 11, 2013

Aislinn Maestas — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:00:47 +0000

Want to know what National Wildlife Federation was up to this week? Here is a recap of the week’s NWF news:

Draft National Climate Assessment Report Available for Public Review

National Wildlife Photo Contest entry by Lois Settlemeyer.

January 11 - A long-awaited report on how climate change is affecting the United States will be released for public review on Monday, January 14. The Third National Climate Assessment is the most comprehensive review of U.S. climate impacts to date.It includes analyses for specific regions and sectors of national relevance, from agriculture to health to transportation. This report, and the expansive analyses on which it is based, will be invaluable for informing climate-relevant decisions. During the next three months, the NCA is welcoming comments on the draft. In addition, they are organizing several town halls around the country, at which report authors will share findings and invite input from interested parties. The report will be finalized and delivered to Congress in early 2014.

Ad: Hold BP Accountable During Settlement Negotiations

January 7 – Today, the National Wildlife Federation unveiled an ad campaign on the Washington Metro subway system aimed at influencing the Department of Justice’s settlement negotiations with BP. The ads are located in the Navy Archives Metro station, close to the Department of Justice’s Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters.

“Americans from all walks of life reeled in horror as BP’s negligence sent more than 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico,” said Aileo Weinmann, associate communications director for the National Wildlife Federation. “We’re sending a signal to staff at the Department of Justice to hold BP fully accountable for up to $50 billion in civil fines and penalties.”

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

The Washington Times: Lawmakers seek leverage on Obama energy push
News & Observer: Provide winter treats for the birds
Bayou Buzz: Oiled pelican photo in HOLD BP ACCOUNTABLE ad greets Justice employees at Washington Metro station

For more, visit www.nwf.org/news

Gulf Dolphins are Still Dying—Don’t Let BP Off Easy

Lacey McCormick — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 04:22:02 +0000

Photo credit: flickr / thepugfather

Two and a half years after BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sent more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf, dolphins across the northern Gulf of Mexico are still dying in high numbers.

Yesterday, BP agreed to pay a record criminal fine for the Gulf oil spill, but vowed to vigorously contest the charges it is facing under federal environmental law. Money from these penalties will go to restoring the Gulf.

BP Must be Held Accountable

Dolphins in one heavily oiled section of the Louisiana coast are suffering and even dying from a variety of symptoms–including anemia, low blood sugar, and lung disease–that suggest exposure to oil.

But media reports indicate that BP might be attempting to negotiate an agreement with the Department of Justice to pay less than half of what the company could face at trial for its violations of the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act.

Speak up for Dolphins

The Department of Justice and BP have been in intense negotiations and could announce an agreement at any time.

BP’s fines need to be large enough to restore the Gulf of Mexico for dolphins and other wildlife—and to send a clear message that America holds reckless polluters fully accountable.

Gulf dolphins need us to help ensure the Department of Justice holds BP fully accountable for restoring Gulf habitat–please add your voice today!

NWF Calls DOJ Oil Disaster Lawsuit “A Key Part Of the Solution”

Miles Grant — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:15:26 +0000

Today the U.S. Department of Justice sued BP and eight other companies over the Gulf oil disaster:

The Obama administration’s lawsuit asks that the companies be held liable without limitation under the Oil Pollution Act for all removal costs and damages caused by the oil spill, including damages to natural resources. The lawsuit also seeks civil penalties under the Clean Water Act.

“We intend to prove these violations caused or contributed to the massive oil spill,” Attorney General Eric Holder told a news conference.

The amount of damages and the extent of injuries sustained by the United States as a result of the Deepwater Horizon Spill are not yet fully known, the lawsuit states.

John Kostyack, Executive Director for Wildlife Conservation and Global Warming with the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

We’re pleased to see the federal government moving forward against BP and other parties responsible for the Gulf oil disaster. Repairing the damage done to people, wildlife and coastal habitats is a massive undertaking and recovery of Clean Water Act penalties will be a key part of the solution.

To learn more about the National Wildlife Federation’s response to the Gulf oil disaster, visit NWF.org/OilSpill.

Fed Govt. Gets Greener (Oh, and Saves $102 Million)

Miles Grant — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:36:16 +0000

Sometimes articles about government tightening its belt and articles about government trying to save money can sound awfully similar. Case in point – today’s Wall Street Journal:

The Justice Department estimates it can save $573,000 through fiscal 2010 by setting up its printers and copiers to use both sides of the paper. By emailing some documents instead of printing them out, the Department of Homeland Security will save $318,000.

Both Homeland Security and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have pledged to take the same step that has sent the newspaper industry into a tailspin: They will start getting their news online free, rather than renew their subscriptions. Homeland Security will save $47,160, or 0.0000026% of the deficit. [...]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is going to save $3.8 million by refurbishing and reusing or selling its emergency trailers — like the ones provided to people displaced by hurricanes — instead of ditching them.

The Wall Street Journal article focused exclusively on the financial savings. But eliminating the need for nearly $1 million worth of paper products and keeping dozens of trailers out of a landfill? Sounds pretty green to me.

Photo via Flickr’s GlennHirsch