Anthony J. Orlando

December 11, 2010

BP to Challenge Oil Spill Estimates

In an effort to reduce its legal liability by billions of dollars, BP has indicated plans to challenge federal estimates that 4.9 million barrels of oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. If a court finds that BP acted with gross negligence in their actions leading up to the spill, BP is liable for $ 4,300 per barrel under the Clean Water Act, motivating their interest to challenge what they are calling "flawed" estimates.

Source:

John Collins Rudolf, BP Is Planning to Challenge Estimates of Oil Spill, N.Y. Times, Dec. 3, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/science/earth/04bp.html?_r=1&ref=earth.

SCOTUS to Hear New Global Warming Case

The Supreme Court will give further consideration to a global warming case filed by environmental groups, eight states, and New York City. The public nuisance suit argues that five major electric power corporations produced excessive amounts of carbon dioxide, leading to various environmental detriments and health impacts from smog.

Source:

Lee Ross, Supreme Court to Hear Global Warming Case Against Power Companies, Fox News, Dec. 6, 2010, http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/12/06/supreme-court-hear-global-warming-case-power-companies/.

Alternative Energy Rocks?

Researchers from Connecticut and Massachusetts are mapping rock formations with natural radioactivity that may produce energy from the heat and steam associated with drilling. The process may become more popular as drilling costs fall and oil prices continue to rise.

Source:

Associated Press, Conn., Mass. Seek Energy-producing Rocks, Boston Herald, Dec. 5, 2010, http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20101205conn_mass_seek_energy-producing_rocks/srvc=home&position=recent.

Pros, Cons to New England Invasive Species

The sea squirt, an invasive species found in increasing numbers on the sea floor off New England, may potentially disrupt scallop populations. Scientists, however, have also recently discovered that the invasive is a favorite food of crabs and worms, which in turn support the winter flounder, a key groundfish species.

Source:

Associated Press, Invasive Sea Species May Bring Pros with its Cons, Wall Street Journal, Dec. 3, 2010, http://online.wsj.com/article/AP9229efc3dd4a4ebb96b5153d37b8f497.html.

Arsenic in Drinking Water and Babies' Health

Dartmouth College has received $2 million from the EPA and the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences to study how low levels of arsenic in drinking water affect pregnant women, developing fetuses, and young children. The study is especially relevant for residents of rural New England who drink private well water not tested for arsenic.

Source:

Holly Ramer, Dartmouth Center to Study Arsenic, Babies Health, Associated Press, Dec. 6, 2010, http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2010/12/06/dartmouth_center_to_study_arsenic_kidss_health/.