"SPILL", new play coming soon from one of the creators of The Laramie Project

"SPILL", new play coming soon from one of the creators of The Laramie Project

RUSSIA: ONE-UPPING BP AND MASSEY, 49 LIKELY DEAD

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/world/europe/oil-rig-sinks-in-storm-off-russia-49-missing.html

Oil Rig Sinks Off Russia; 49 Missing

By ANDREW E. KRAMER

Published: December 18, 2011

An oil drilling rig that was being towed in a storm sank Sunday off the coast of Sakhalin Island with 67 people on board, most of whom are still missing.

AND, IN THE US: LAW ON THE SIDE OF INDUSTRY?

Accumulation by dispossession, 21st century American style?

Rush for Gas Rights Ignites Battles for Control of Land

By SABRINA TAVERNISE

Published: December 14, 2011

As energy companies and states push to simplify regulations, some local governments are resisting an erosion of their control.

CRIMINAL CORPORATIONS: INDIVIDUALS FOR SPEECH RIGHTS, WHY NOT THE RULE OF LAW?

For 29 Dead Miners, No Justice

By DAVID M. UHLMANN

Published: December 9, 2011

Despite its questionable practices, Massey Energy will not be criminally prosecuted for a mine explosion that killed 29 workers in West Virginia

CHINA, RISE OF, MORE ON

James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy Rice University | News | THE RISE OF CHINA

COAL TO CHINA: BAD IDEA, BUT HERE THEY GO

As Coal Use Declines in U.S., Coal Companies Focus on China by Jonathan Thompson: Yale Environment 360

Arch, Peabody seek coal exporting deals to Asia

Arch, Peabody seek coal exporting deals to Asia

NAOMI KLEIN VS. ANDREW REVKIN

Or, as one commenter put it, very "big of you [Andrew Revkin] to publish your spanking at the hands of Naomi Klein".  True, true.


December 7, 2011, 9:50 PM

Naomi Klein’s Inconvenient Climate Conclusions

By ANDREW C. REVKIN

CHINA-US PING-PONG: WHO EMITTED?

At Climate Talks, a Familiar Standoff Between U.S. and China

By JOHN M. BRODER

Published: December 7, 2011

China’s conditions for a treaty are unlikely to be met. And conditions by the United States seem to rule out any deal like the one China envisions.

THE CHINA WALL: KLARE ON OBAMA AND THE PACIFIC OIL GAME

Playing With Fire: Obama's Risky Oil Threat to China

And, "Obama's China Syndrome"

By Michael Klare

STL SOLAR WARS: WHO'S BACKING THIS TOWN COUNCIL AGAINST SOLAR?

Solar panels up for debate in Clarkson Valley

GULF OIL SPILL: WHERE DO FINES USUALLY GO?

Task Force Says BP Oil Spill Fines Should Go to Gulf Restoration

By LESLIE KAUFMAN

Published: December 5, 2011

The panel’s final recommendations were similar to those in a draft report it issued in October and are not binding.

COAL MINERS: HOW MUCH IS ONE LIFE WORTH? 29?

Mine Owner to Pay $200 Million in Death of 29 Men

By SABRINA TAVERNISE and CLIFFORD KRAUSS

Published: December 6, 2011

A source close the investigation said the parent company of Massey Energy, owner of a West Virginia mine where an explosion in 2010 killed 29 men, would pay to settle a criminal investigation.

"The settlement does not protect individual Massey managers, including the former chief executive, Don L. Blankenship, who have not been charged. In all, 18 executives refused to be interviewed by federal investigators, invoking their Fifth Amendment rights. The agreement also does not preclude victims and their families from filing civil lawsuits in the case.

In addition to the $46.5 million payout to victims and families, the agreement includes $80 million to bolster safety and infrastructure in all underground mines owned by Alpha and Massey; $48 million to establish a mine health and safety foundation; and about $35 million in fines and fees that Massey owed to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the branch of the Labor Department that oversees the mining industry."

SUSTAINABILITY IN STL: WHAT IS IT? IS IT POSSIBLE?

Mayor Slay Convenes First City Sustainability Summit

TAKE A DEEP BREATH: MORE CARBON IN THE AIR

Carbon Emissions Show Biggest Jump Ever Recorded

By JUSTIN GILLIS

Published: December 4, 2011

Global emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil-fuel burning jumped by 5.9 percent in 2010, upending the notion that a brief decline during the recession might persist.

GAS & POWER: POLITICIANS FOR SALE IN OK

As Gas Riches Remake Plains, Lawmaker Shares in Bounty

By ERIC LIPTON

Published: December 3, 2011

Representative Dan Boren of Oklahoma is a champion in Washington of an industry that is experiencing a historic boom but also increasing scrutiny.

SOUTH AFRICA: COAL DEPENDENT, NOT GETTING GREENER

GREENPEACE COMMENTS ON THE "WE NEED TO BURN COAL" DISCOURSE IN SOUTH AFRICA

CLIMATE TALKS: US ROLE QUESTIONED

COP17: Discontent with US grows at climate talks

Leading American environmentalists complained to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday that her negotiators at the UN climate talks risked portraying the US as an obstacle to fighting global warming because of its perceived foot-dragging on key issues.