Posts Tagged ‘money’
BP, firms did not shirk safety for money: panel – Reuters
Last Updated on Monday, 8 November 2010 09:04 Written by admin Monday, 8 November 2010 09:04
WASHINGTON |
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House oil spill commission said on Monday it found no evidence to support accusations that the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history happened because workers for BP Plc and its partners cut corners to save money, mostly blaming the accident on a series of on-site misjudgments.
“To date we have not seen a single instance where a human being made a conscious decision to favor dollars over safety,” the commission’s Chief Counsel Fred Bartlit said at a meeting exploring the causes of the Gulf of Mexico spill.
Bartlit said the panel agreed with about 90 percent of the findings of BP’s internal investigation of the accident released this summer. BP’s report assigned much of the blame for the accident to its drilling partners.
Bartlit also said BP’s well design was not inherently faulty, although it did have some impact on the drilling project’s operations.
While the commission has no legal authority to carry out policies or punishment, the findings could help BP’s tarnished reputation, although the panel was still very critical of BP’s procedures to plug the well prior to the explosion, saying the oil giant took unnecessary risks.
Some lawmakers and critics have accused BP and other companies involved in drilling the well of sacrificing safety for monetary savings in the run-up to the rig explosion that killed 11 workers and unleashed millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf over the summer.
“What is fully evident, from BP’s pipeline spill in Alaska and the Texas city refinery disaster, to the Deepwater Horizon well failure, is that BP has a long and sordid history of cutting costs and pushing the limits in search of higher profits,” U.S. Representative Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, said in a statement.
Bartlit said the commission’s preliminary investigation found no evidence that individual workers took safety risks to save money, and that it instead found that a series of factors ultimately contributed to the explosion.
Still, Bartlit emphasized that his probe did not focus on company culture and not everything done on the rig was safe.
Workers for BP and Transocean, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon rig, also misread a critical negative pressure test of cement used in an attempt to plug the well. The panel’s investigators said workers may have misinterpreted the test because neither of the companies nor the government had standard procedures for handling negative pressure tests.
There is disagreement over whether Transocean had any responsibility for overseeing the negative pressure test.
“Industry standard is that the operator, BP, interprets the test,” Bill Ambrose, director of special projects for Transocean, told the panel. “Our personnel do not have the experience or authority to interpret the negative test.”
Bartlit released a stinging report last month that said Halliburton Co used flawed cement in BP’s doomed well.
Commission co-chair Bill Reilly, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said the initial findings seem to point to human mistakes as the primary cause of the accident.
While the panel will consider the need for better monitoring of rig data and more standards for negative pressure tests, Reilly said “it was very difficult … to see what we could recommend be required that would have avoided the decisions that were made.”
GOP aims to cut money for health care overhaul – Austin American-Statesman
Last Updated on Saturday, 6 November 2010 09:04 Written by admin Saturday, 6 November 2010 09:04
By Robert Pear
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: 10:36 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010
WASHINGTON — As they seek to make good on their campaign promise to roll back President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, the incoming Republican leaders in the House say they intend to use their new muscle to cut off money for the law, setting up a series of partisan clashes and testing Democratic commitment to the legislation.
GOP leaders, who will control the House starting in January but will remain in the minority in the Senate, acknowledge that they don’t have the votes for their ultimate goal of repealing the health law, the most polarizing of Obama’s signature initiatives.
Republicans said they hope to use the power of the purse to challenge key elements of the law, forcing Democrats — especially those in the Senate who will be up for re-election in 2012 — into a series of votes to defend it.
Republican lawmakers said, for example, that they would propose limiting the money and personnel available to the Internal Revenue Service, so the agency couldn’t aggressively enforce provisions that require people to obtain health insurance and employers to help pay for it. Under the law, individuals and employers who flout the requirements will face tax penalties.
Moreover, Republican leaders said, they plan to use spending bills to block federal insurance regulations to which they object. And they will try to limit access to government-subsidized private health plans that include coverage for abortion.
Given their slim majority, Senate Democrats must stick together if they want to avoid sending Obama spending bills and other legislation that he would feel compelled to veto, setting up the prospect of a broader deadlock and, in an extreme situation, a government shutdown.
Obama has made clear that he will fight to preserve all the fundamental elements of the law. When asked if the president would veto legislation that would cut off money needed for the health care overhaul, his spokesman, Robert Gibbs said, “I don’t think we’ll get to that.”
Anticipating the GOP assault, White House officials said Obama will emphasize statements that the law protects consumers and gives them more control of their insurance. Administration officials are working with Senate Democrats to arrange hearings at which consumers would explain how they have already benefited from the law.
One of the president’s strongest allies is Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, an architect of the law.
The number and variety of restrictions Congress can impose in spending bills is almost unlimited. A bill passed by the House last year, for example, stipulated that no federal money could be used to buy light bulbs unless they met certain energy efficiency standards. The same bill said, “No funds appropriated in this act may be used for the transportation of students or teachers in order to overcome racial imbalance in any school.”
House Republicans could easily pass similar provisos stating that no federal money could be used to carry out sections of the health care law.
Tags: aims, AmericanStatesman, Austin, care, Health, money, overhaul | Posted under U.S. News | No Comments
Four Loko blamed for sickening 9 CWU students – The Money Times
Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 October 2010 05:04 Written by admin Tuesday, 26 October 2010 05:04
The blood alcohol levels of those taken ill ranged from .123 percent to .335 percent, while in Washington, 0.08 is the legal limit for intoxication and 0.3 can be considered lethal.
Chief Steve Rittereiser, Central Washington Univ. Police Dept, reported, “Our investigation showed that every one of them that were hospitalized had drunk Four Loko. Now remember, that Four Loko is not only 12% alcohol but also has the equivalent of a couple of shots of espresso.”
Four Loko, the culprit
All the nine students, including six women and three men, were freshmen aged 17 to 19 years and were inexperienced drinkers.
Initially the authorities suspected the students were sickened by possible drug use. However, interviews with the party-goers revealed that none were given spiked drinks or drugs without their knowledge.
The party place was littered with empty cans of Four Loko and all nine students who fell sick had reportedly consumed the beverage.
Katelynn Allen, a Central Washington University freshman who was at the party disclosed, “It was really scary. Everything was going fine, the music was playing, people were having fun – and then all of a sudden all the girls were puking everywhere. Girls were outside on their backs.”
Four Loko, a potentially lethal brew
Four Loko is made by Phusion Projects Inc., of Chicago. It is a 23-ounce concoction of fruity flavors, caffeine and alcohol.
The potentially deadly brew contains 12 percent alcohol, which is equivalent to approximately six beers and as much caffeine as in five cups of coffee.
It comes in multiple flavors including grape, fruit punch, citrus, orange blend, watermelon, blue raspberry, lemonade, cranberry lemonade and lemon lime.
A can of Four Loko sells for about $ 2.50 and is sold only in liquor stores, but might be available in convenience stores.
Since the beverage combines a large amount of caffeine and alcohol, people are unaware of alcohol content and they drink more than usual.
Four Loko is a 23-ounce concoction of fruity flavors, caffeine and alcohol. The potentially lethal brew contains 12 percent alcohol, which is equivalent to approximately six beers and as much caffeine as in five cups of coffee.
Describing the drink, Ken Brigs, head of Physical Education and Public Health at Central Washington University, stated, “Essentially what you have is you have about a six pack of beer… and five cups of coffee in one of these cans.
“You have a wide awake drunk who may not feel the warning signs of dangerous drinking such as the important subjective effects of tiredness and loss of coordination which are good signals that it’s time to shut it down and stop drinking.”
Four Loko involved in other incidents
This is the latest incident that has surfaced involving alcoholic energy drinks.
Four Loko had apparently played a role in the alcohol poisoning of 23 students of Ramapo College in Mahwah at the start of the fall semester, and in the malicious anti-gay attacks that took place in the Bronx at the beginning of the month.
Following the revelation that Four Loko was responsible for the illness at the university house party, alcoholic energy drinks have been temporarily banned at the university.
CWU President James L. Gaudino stated, “The health and safety of our students has to come first. We need to make sure that we’re sending a strong message to students about the dangers of AEDs, and we need to know more about the way it affects health and behavior.”
Looking At Outstanding La Jolla Homes For Sale
Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 October 2010 09:46 Written by Britt Lemans Wednesday, 13 October 2010 09:46
To find a real jewel of a place to live one should check out La Jolla homes for sale. This area, once reserved for very wealthy people, is now enjoyed by everyone. It has seven miles of coastline, beautiful beaches and is surrounded on three sides by water.
At one point in time the majority of homes in La Jolla were owned by very wealthy people. However, with the coming of the university and other developments, housing expanded to what it is today. While a number of homes in this area sell for several million dollars there are others that fit in very well with anyone’s budget.
Living in La Jolla is as near to living on a tropical island as one can get. With an average temperature of 70.5 degrees, it is possible to engage in one’s favorite activities any day of the year. Things such as surfing, fishing or other pursuits can be engaged in every day if desired.
A wealth of opportunity awaits for those who wish to further their education. Starting with the University of California, San Diego there are a large number of Institutes and other educational facilities. Whether interested in research programs or other pursuits this is the place to have complete access to the latest discoveries as well as learning about the past. Whether pursuing a degree or just taking classes for fun there are unlimited opportunities.
There is a wide open opportunity in the area to enjoy one’s personal activities. With golf one has access to a famous course where the PGA Tour and the US Open were played. Museums, parks, numerous tours, ocean activities and many more pleasurable outings are available. For those who enjoy the ocean and walking or enjoying games on the beach this is an ideal location.
When one starts looking at property in the area they will be greatly impressed by the beautiful landscaping and architecture the prevails. Yards are handsomely landscaped and fit in beautifully with the homes. Each one is a jewel which stands out as well cared for and loved.
Finding a real estate agent with a La Jolla Homes for sale sign will assure one that they will be shown the very best properties available that will fit their budget. The agent will have all the information needed regarding everything from negotiating the price to finding a lender. He or she will escort the prospective buyer to view the property, explain the advantages of the location and provide any other information available.
The La Jolla Homes for Sale will offer you an exciting place to live. Yorba Linda Homes For Sale will help you find the right type of home for you.
Tags: Economy, family, finance, home for sale, home improvement, house, investing, investment, money, mortgage, real estate, Remodeling | Posted under Uncategorized | No Comments