"W.Va. Governor Signs Bill Touted By State’s Coal Industry"
"CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has signed a bill lauded by the struggling coal industry and called dangerous by the miners’ union."
Source: AP, 03/13/2015
Disasters
Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Threatens Vanuatu
"A maximum category five tropical cyclone was heading towards the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Friday, packing destructive winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) and heavy rain, Vanuatu Meteorological Services (VMS) warned."
Source: Reuters, 03/13/2015
"Canada To Propose Tougher Oil Tank Car Standards"
"The Canadian government has proposed tough new standards for rail tank cars used to transport crude oil in response to a string of fiery crashes."
Source: AP, 03/13/2015
Coast Guard Spill Database Rendered Almost Useless for Reporters
There used to be a searchable, online database of oil and chemical spill reports that reporters could turn to in an emergency to get insight into important breaking news. But ham-handed security efforts have sabotaged the public's right to know. Right now, emergency responders are working on a spill of a cancer-causing fuel additive known as MTBE. But news reporters probably couldn't get much if any helpful information from the database today (we checked).
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Media Coalition Wins Overturn of Blankenship Gag Order on Appeal
After opposing gag and sealing orders in the trial of former Massey coal CEO Don Blankenship on charges of conspiracy to violate federal mine safety and health standards — and cover-up — a news media coalition led by Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press won access to the trial from a federal appeals court March 5, 2015.
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"Fear as Pakistan Builds New Nuclear Reactors in Dangerous Karachi"
"The Karachi Nuclear PowerComplex is on an earthquake-prone seafront less than 20 miles from downtown Karachi."
Source: Wash Post, 03/11/2015
"Fukushima Residents Torn Over Nuclear Waste Storage Plan"
"Norio Kimura lost his wife, father and 7-year-old daughter Yuna in the March 2011 tsunami."
Source: Reuters, 03/10/2015
"CN Rail Train Carrying Oil Derails in Ontario"
"A train carrying oil derailed in Ontario, the company that owns the train said Saturday, which sparked a fire but no casualties."
Source: CNBC, 03/09/2015
Okla. Linked Quakes To Oil in 2010, But Kept Mum Amid Industry Pressure
"Oklahoma's state scientists have suspected for years that oil and gas operations in the state were causing a swarm of earthquakes, but in public they rejected such a connection."
Source: EnergyWire, 03/04/2015
LAFD Failed To Properly Inspect Hundreds of Hazardous Sites, State Says
"The Los Angeles Fire Department has failed to properly inspect hundreds of hazardous sites scattered across the city, exposing the public to increased risks from potential spills and mishandling of toxic substances, according to a state report released Friday."
Source: LA Times, 03/02/2015
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