EJToday is SEJ's selection of new and outstanding stories on environmental topics in print and on the air, updated every weekday. SEJ also offers a free e-mailed digest of the day's EJToday postings, called SEJ-beat. SEJ members are subscribed automatically, but may opt out here. Non-members may subscribe here. EJToday is also available via RSS feed. Please see Editorial Guidelines for EJToday content.
"It’s Official: EPA Delays Climate Rule for New Power Plants"
Wash Post, 04/15/2013"You might have been wondering whether the Obama administration was going to impose the first-ever greenhouse gas limits on new power plants, since the deadline is April 13."
"White House Huddled With Industry Before Changes To BLM Fracking Rule"
EnergyWire, 04/15/2013"President Obama's top energy adviser repeatedly huddled with oil and gas lobbyists in the months before the administration changed new hydraulic fracturing rules to the industry's liking, records show."
"Insight: Mayflower, Meet Exxon: When Oil Spilled in An Arkansas Town"
Reuters, 04/15/2013"MAYFLOWER, Arkansas -- Warren Andrews had just finished putting up balloons for his stepdaughter's 18th birthday party at their suburban home in Mayflower, Arkansas, when his wife came inside and said something was wrong."
"Coal To Stay Important in U.S. Energy Mix -- Environment Agency Pick"
Reuters, 04/12/2013"President Barack Obama's pick to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told a Senate panel on Thursday that coal will remain important in the U.S. energy mix and that the EPA will be flexible in applying new pollution rules for coal-fired power plants."
"Oil’s Financial Ties to Texas Legislators"
Texas Tribune, 04/12/2013"Friendliness toward the drilling industry is typical for Texas, where many lawmakers receive campaign contributions from oil and gas groups or have investments in drilling companies. The three elected members of the Railroad Commission of Texas, which oversees the oil and gas industry, have received significant contributions from the very industry they regulate."
"Obama Budget Would Increase U.S. Clean-Energy Spending"
Reuters, 04/11/2013"President Barack Obama proposed a dramatic increase in clean-energy spending on Wednesday as he sought to expand U.S. government support for electric cars, wind power and other "green" technology despite persistent Republican criticism.
The president would pay for the expansion in part by eliminating tax breaks and subsidies for oil, gas and coal industries. Previous efforts by Obama's fellow Democrats to repeal the $4 billion worth of fossil-fuel subsidies have fallen short."
"Arctic Drilling: ConocoPhillips Scratches 2014 Exploration Plans"
Greenwire, 04/11/2013"Oil industry efforts to develop the American Arctic took another hit today as ConocoPhillips scrapped plans to drill in the Chukchi Sea in 2014."
"NRC Proposes No Safety Threat Finding With San Onofre"
Bloomberg, 04/11/2013"Edison International’s request for a license amendment for a proposed restart of its crippled California nuclear reactor doesn’t pose significant safety risks, federal regulators said in a preliminary finding."
Energy Nominee Ernest Moniz Backs Increased Use of Natural Gas
AP, 04/10/2013"President Barack Obama’s choice to lead the Energy Department pledged to increase use of natural gas Tuesday as a way to combat climate change even as the nation seeks to boost domestic energy production."
"Jury Finds Exxon Liable for $236.4 Million in U.S. Pollution Suit"
Reuters, 04/10/2013"LITTLETON, New Hampshire -- A New Hampshire jury on Tuesday found Exxon Mobil Corp liable for $236.4 million in a civil lawsuit that charged the oil company had polluted groundwater in the state with a gasoline additive used to reduce smog in the 1970s and 1980s."
"With Help From Nature, a Town Aims to Be a Solar Capital"
NY Times, 04/10/2013"LANCASTER, Calif. — There are at least two things to know about this high desert city. One, the sun just keeps on shining. Two, the city’s mayor, a class-action lawyer named R. Rex Parris, just keeps on competing."
"California Court Ruling Gives Hope To Foes of Fracking"
Reuters, 04/10/2013"A court ruling that the U.S. government must consider the environmental impact of 'fracking' on federal lands leased to oil companies offers opponents of the technique a useful weapon in the fierce public debate in California and other parts of the country."
"Federal Judge Rejects BP's Attempt To Block Oil Spill Claim Payments"
New Orleans Times-Picayune, 04/09/2013"A federal judge on Friday rejected BP's attempt to block the Deepwater Horizon claims administrator from awarding what it said could be billions of dollars in payments for 'business economic losses' that the British oil giant contends are based on 'fictitious' claims of damage.
U.S. District Court Judge Carl Barbier, who also is overseeing the sprawling BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill trial, seemed unlikely from the onset of the hour-long hearing to issue the temporary injunction that BP sought as part of the class action suit.
"Frackers Are Losing $1.5 Billion Yearly to Leaks"
Climate Desk, 04/08/2013"Leaky pipes are the 'super low-hanging fruit' of climate change."
"ExxonMobil Pipeline Spill Triggers Lawsuit"
AP, 04/08/2013"Two Arkansas women sue ExxonMobil after its Pegasus pipeline ruptured, spewing oil onto lawns and roads. The $5 million class-action suit charges the pipeline spill has permanently diminished their property value."

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