Independent News‘Environment’ Archives
Congressmen Want BP’S Sheen Specifics
Two members of the U.S. Congress have requested that BP turn over all information pertaining to the current oil sheen in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil company is currently investigating the source of a sheen that appeared in mid-September at the site of the 2010 oil spill. Reps. Ed Markey [...]
What was Valentino talking about on DEP letter. The Valentino-DEP-Oliver blowup
In his County Administration Evaluation, Commissioner Gene Valentino called County Administrator Randy Oliver "unethical and insubordinate" in matter regarding "an open letter to the DEP secretary chastising a commmissioner's stand on DEP's oil spill performance." The Independent News made a [...]
Where’s the Oil Coming From?
For more than a month, a persistent oil sheen has been seen in the Gulf of Mexico near the site of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. After positively linking the oil to BP’s Macondo well, federal officials have suggested the oil is escaping from drilling wreckage on the gulf’s floor, but a [...]
Dogs on the Beach?
With every chair in the chamber filled, people began lining up along the wall. Those arriving late to the Santa Rosa Island Authority meeting last night would have to listen from the lobby. The big draw? The board’s first public hearing regarding the possibility of allowing dogs on the beach. [...]
A Bicyclist’s Dream
Today’s roadways are designed for the automobile. On many stretches, bikers and walkers finds themselves living on the edge between the curb and the cars. “As in, if-you-suck-in-your-gut-and-pray-real-hard-you-might-make-it,” Pensacola City Councilwoman Megan Pratt described a particularly [...]
Walkable/Bikeable Community Meeting
Local environmental organization Sustainable Gulf Coast is hosting a discussion tomorrow night entitled Linking Pensacola’s Neighborhoods for Bicyclists and Pedestrians.’ The Tuesday night meeting will feature a presentation by Pensacola City Councilwoman Megan Pratt. She will speak about [...]
County Considers Beach Mouse Settlement
Escambia County is looking to purchase a prime piece of Perdido Key Beach Mouse territory. Not necessarily by choice. During its meeting tomorrow, the Escambia County Commission will consider executing a settlement agreement with Greg and Farris Ford. The settlement involves the county [...]
CNG Fueling Station Opens
A compressed natural gas fueling station is now open on Pine Forest Road. The station is due to a partnership between the city of Pensacola, Pensacola Energy and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA). “This station marks a new day for the city of Pensacola, Pensacola Energy and ECUA,” [...]
Miller on Possible BP Settlement Option
The U.S. government and BP are in settlement talks over how much the oil company will be paying as a result of the 2010 spill in the Gulf of Mexico. One possible offer apparently on the table involves diverting a greater portion of the fines toward a Natural Resource Damage Assessment and reducing [...]
Commission on Oil Spill Response
Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson will be heading to Walton County Wednesday for a meeting of the Florida Commission on Oil Spill Response Coordination. The commission is charged with identifying potential changes to state and federal regulations that would improve oil-spill response [...]
BP settlement hung up on $18 billion, county could be shortchanged
The British newspaper The Sunday Times reported yesterday that oil spill settlement talks between BP and the U.S. government have stalled because the U.S. is insisting that BP pay at least $18 billion for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. A settlement between $18 billion to $21 billion is the [...]
Starting Down the RESTORE Road
The Escambia County Commission started down a long road this morning. It is a road potentially paved with many millions in treasure. When the federal government arrives at a dollar amount for Clean Water Act fines levied against BP, the RESTORE Act has guaranteed a good chunk of that money will [...]