CDP: Oceans Clips: February 23, 2023
Supreme Court Sides With Offshore Worker In Overtime Case. According to Offshore Engineer, “An oil rig supervisor who earned more than $200,000 a year working for Houston-based Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc is entitled to overtime pay, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday in a decision with costly implications for the oil and gas industry. The court in a 6-3 decision authored by liberal Justice Elena Kagan decided that because the rig supervisor, Michael Hewitt, was paid a daily rate of $963 and not a salary, an overtime pay exemption in federal wage law for highly paid workers did not apply to him.” [Offshore Engineer, 2/22/23 (=)]
EPA Watchdog To Audit Infrastructure Law Data. According to Politico, “EPA's internal watchdog is preparing to dig deep into the agency's reporting of financial data for the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. EPA's Office of Inspector General said in a notice released Tuesday that it will begin an audit of the agency's fiscal 2022 reporting of award data for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The law is a cash boon for EPA, bringing in about $60 billion over the coming years to rebuild water systems, clean up Superfund sites and provide electric school buses.” [Politico, 2/22/23 (=)]
Biden Considers 1st Offshore Wind Auction In Gulf Of Mexico. According to the AP, “The Biden administration said Wednesday it is considering the first-ever lease sale for offshore wind energy in the Gulf of Mexico, a key part of a push to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030 to help fight climate change. The proposed sale, which could take place as soon as this summer, includes areas offshore Lake Charles, Louisiana and Galveston, Texas, for roughly 3.6 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power about 1.3 million homes. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management plans to open a 60-day public comment period on Friday. The area offshore Lake Charles could be modified and possibly shrunk based on the comments received, and BOEM may decide to offer only one of two lease areas proposed off Galveston.” [AP, 2/22/23 (=)]
'Forever Chemicals' Could Affect 300+ Species. According to Politico, “Hundreds of wildlife species are carrying so-called forever chemicals in their bodies, with a new analysis showing that the notorious compounds are a major threat for animals ranging from aquatic life like fish to horses and vulnerable species, including polar bears. Over 330 species may be affected by PFAS contamination, possibly exposing them to severe health impacts and opening up humans to more exposure pathways. A new analysis and interactive map released Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group lays out how extensively the chemicals appear to have invaded the blood, plasma, organs and other tissues in samples taken from animals around the world.” [Politico, 2/22/23 (=)]
Jane Fonda Campaigns To Save ‘Our Brethren In The Ocean’. According to the AP, “Actress and activist Jane Fonda is campaigning for a treaty to save marine creatures that are hunted for food including sharks, swordfish, octopus and tuna, saying they feel joy, feel sadness when they lose their offspring, and “are our brethren in the ocean.” A day after talks resumed at U.N. headquarters to forge a long-awaited and elusive treaty to safeguard the world’s marine biodiversity, the 85-year-old Oscar winner told a news conference Tuesday that these marine creatures “play with us and they feel emotions — and how dare we so lack humility that we will risk killing them off for money and for food.” For almost four years, Fonda said, she has been working with Greenpeace, and she came to New York to deliver 5.5 million signatures from people in 157 countries demanding a strong Global Ocean Treaty to Rena Lee, president of the U.N. negotiations. A key aim for the treaty is to turn 30% of the world’s oceans into marine sanctuaries by 2030 where fishing is banned.” [AP, 2/22/23 (=)]
California Beach City Oks Balloon Ban To Protect Coast. According to Politico, “Environmental advocates are celebrating in Laguna Beach — but it won't be with balloons. The hilly California seaside city known for stunning ocean views and rolling bluffs is banning the sale and public use of balloons to curtail the risk of devastating wildfires and eliminate a major source of trash floating near the community's scenic shores. The Laguna Beach City Council voted Tuesday night to ban in public the popular mainstay of birthday and graduation parties, whether inflated with helium or not. Beginning in 2024, balloons cannot be used on public property or at city events.” [Politico, 2/22/23 (=)]
Hurricanes Are Changing With The Climate. Our Words About Them May Need To Change, Too. According to Yale Climate Connections, “On Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, the National Hurricane Center identified an ill-defined area of low pressure drifting westward along Florida’s sweeping Big Bend, where the state’s panhandle arcs into its long-tailed peninsula. A tropical disturbance in August over the Gulf of Mexico typically garners the wary eye of hurricane forecasters and coastal residents alike, but by Sunday, Aug. 7, the disorganized disturbance was moving inland, adrift over the Deep South. Everyone knows tropical cyclones don’t form over land, or at least they shouldn’t.” [Yale Climate Connections, 2/22/23 (=)]
Responses to this email are not monitored.
Please email any questions or comments to aaron@beehivedc.com