Brine of the Times

Louisiana will crack down on oil industry waste-disposal practices

Posted at 10:56 AM on 05 Nov 2007

Oil companies accustomed to a hodgepodge of regulation will soon see stricter oversight from a new initiative in Louisiana, which will pool the resources of 15 state and federal offices to crack down on Big Oil's waste-disposal practices. The program will train some 100 field officers to identify oil and brine-water spills in the Gulf of Mexico and collect evidence potentially usable in lawsuits. The initiative's organizers believe most oil companies are following cleanup guidelines, but a little extra oversight never hurts. Says Harold Leggett of the state Department of Environmental Quality, "When everyone knows the referee is watching, the game is played on a very level playing field."

source: Houston Chronicle

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	Read more about: Big Oil \| Louisiana \| news \| politics \| regulation \| state politics \| all of these topics Tools: print \| email \| write to the editor \| subscribe \| RSS Share: digg \| hugg \| stumbleupon \| reddit \| newsvine \| fark \| facebook Bookmark: del.icio.us \| google \| yahoo Brine of the Times Louisiana will crack down on oil industry waste-disposal practices Posted at 10:56 AM on 05 Nov 2007 Oil companies accustomed to a hodgepodge of regulation will soon see stricter oversight from a new initiative in Louisiana, which will pool the resources of 15 state and federal offices to crack down on Big Oil's waste-disposal practices. The program will train some 100 field officers to identify oil and brine-water spills in the Gulf of Mexico and collect evidence potentially usable in lawsuits. The initiative's organizers believe most oil companies are following cleanup guidelines, but a little extra oversight never hurts. Says Harold Leggett of the state Department of Environmental Quality, "When everyone knows the referee is watching, the game is played on a very level playing field." source: Houston Chronicle ADVERTISING POLICY < Previous \| Next > Comments: There are no comments. Be the first to post! You are not logged in. Thus, you cannot post a comment. If you have a Gristmill account, log in below. If you don't have a Gristmill account, well, by all means go make one! Meet you back here in five. Username: Password: Forgot your password? Enter your username and click: The comments of Grist users reflect the opinions of those individuals only, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Grist, its staff, its board members, their psychotherapists, or their aestheticians. Got it?	Also in Grist America's Top Sheaf Should you buy recycled or certified paper? Umbra offers page advice. Spokes People Tips on how to bike to work. Naked Truth Lush employees go bare to protest excess packaging. Digesting Slow Food Nation The scoop from the event, and a recipe for slow-cooked pasta sauce. The Week's Most Popular Viewed Commented Emailed Ask Umbra on Method cleansers How to start composting Ask Umbra on toxins in your body A look at the environmental record of Joe Biden, Barack Obama's running mate Making a stink about green(ish) deodorants Alaskan greens say McCain's VP pick has anti-environmental record The eco-rundown on Alaska guv Sarah Palin, John McCain's veep pick Slow foodies unveil declaration of sustainability A choice of primary energies: renewable electrons win the gold T. Boone Pickens embraces progressive policies but not progressive politicians The eco-rundown on Alaska guv Sarah Palin, John McCain's veep pick Enviros generally pleased with Biden's record on environmental issues Ask Umbra on buying big cars How to start composting With berries and bread, you can make a delectable summer pudding From the Archives Action Pact. Public hits the streets to rally for global-warming action. What Is This Feeling We're Feeling? U.S. mayors hit Seattle to plot climate strategy and get a dose of hope. Time Warped. Whether Daylight Savings Time saves energy or not, don't forget to turn your clocks back. News Archives