Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Consolidated BP Oil Spill Lawsuits Will Be Adjudicated in New Orleans
BP will face hundreds of lawsuits over the Deepwater Horizon disaster in federal court in New Orleans, a panel of judges ordered, a victory for plaintiffs seeking billions of dollars in damages for the largest oil spill in U.S. history. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier will preside over more than 300 suits, including wrongful-death claims by families of workers killed in the April explosion. Claims also cover revenue lost by Gulf Coast businesses and environmental damage. BP investors’ suits over losses tied to the spill will go to federal court in Houston.
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Battle of the Big City Mayors: Big Easy vs. Big Ben
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu took aim Friday at London's mayor for his comments about the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Mayor Boris Johnson told BBC that the constant tongue-lashing of BP could have dire repercussions for investments in his country. Landrieu said that while Johnson is worried about investment portfolios, Gulf Coast officials are trying to protect a way of life.
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Feds: BP Agrees To Expedite Oil Spill Payments
The Obama administration says BP has agreed to expedite the payment of claims to businesses and individuals whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Tracy Wareing, with the National Incident Command office, told reporters in Washington that the understanding on payment of claims came in a meeting Wednesday with BP executives, including CEO Tony Hayward.
Friday, 04 June 2010
Oil Hits Gulf Shores Beaches -- Resorts Cut Rates to Attract Visitors
Oil hit the beaches in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with tourists reporting gobs of oil washing up in the surf and the smell of oil heavy in the air. As resorts cut rates to attract tourists, some reported that restaurants and resorts were not hiring and were operating on their winter staff rates because tourists were afraid to visit. Cleanup crews were nowhere to be seen.
Friday, 04 June 2010
Legislature Passes Resolution Against Moratorium
The Louisiana House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal government to cancel its six-month moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, saying the ban would kill the state's struggling economy. "Don't shut down Louisiana," said the sponsor, Rep. Gordon Dove of Houma. Rep. Ernest Wooton of Belle Chasse said the moratorium could push the state's $2 billion budget deficit to $10 billion. The Advocate's Arthur Lauck caught this photo of legislators posturing at the microphone during debate.
Wednesday, 02 June 2010
White House approves Louisiana berm plan
U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen told BP to pay for the five berms approved by the White House, in addition to one he and the Army Corps of Engineers approved last week. The British energy company later said it supported the six projects and would pay the estimated $360 million cost to build them.
Wednesday, 02 June 2010
Former Saint Scott Fujita Urges Text "isupport wetlands" to 20222 to Help Save Coastal Louisiana
After former New Orleans Saint Scott Fujita donated half of his Super Bowl earnings to help save Louisiana's coastal wetlands, he is now urging supporters to text "isupport wetlands" to 20222 to help fund volunteer efforts to plant marsh grasses and restore Louisiana's coast after the oil cleanup. It's clear that while Fujita may be a Cleveland Brown, his heart remains in Louisiana as the state fights to save "America's Wetland."
Tuesday, 01 June 2010
Chalmette Residents Have Little Faith in BP, Feds -- They were Oiled in Katrina
It's easy to understand why the residents of Chalmette, Louisiana have little faith in BP and the federal government. After Hurricane Katrina devastated this small St. Bernard Parish community, a refinery oil tank burst and flooded their homes with crude oil. With hurricane season opening today, residents fear they will be oiled again just as they are beginning to get on their feet five years after Katrina.
Tuesday, 01 June 2010
BP CLASHES WITH CRITICS OVER FACTS SURROUNDING OIL SPILL
With no progress to report on Memorial Day, BP continued to stir up controversy with comments by BP chief executive Tony Hayward that contradicts scientists and some of his company's previous statements. First was Hayward's statement to the Associated Press that the oil is on the surface and that there aren't any oil plumes under the surface of the water, a fact disputed by scientists. Then came BP's response to clean-up workers who became sick and were hospitalized, but only after being stripped of their clothing and forced to take showers by BP outside the hospital before being allowed to enter. This would presumably affect any future litigation against the company by the workers.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Anger Rises Over Latest BP Failure -- Hundreds Take to Streets of New Orleans in Protest
Anger and despair intensified on Sunday as the White House announced the latest effort by BP to stop the oil from gushing into the Gulf had failed. The next effort BP will attempt -- to cut off the broken riser pipe at the top of the well and cap the new opening -- could potentially increase the oil flow by 20 percent. BP officials painted a different picture on morning talk shows, saying they were careful not to do anything that would make the situation worse. Meanwhile, protestors in New Orleans showed how angry the public has become over BP's lack of candor and a plan for dealing with the disaster.
LAProgress
