BP is back in court, faces up to $17 billion in penalties for spill

By dwray in The nature of things

The trial to determine whether British Petroleum and other contractors were "grossly negligent" started Monday, according to an Associated Press story. If BP alone is convicted of negligence in the oil spill that caused the deaths of 11 rig workers, ...

Is that water tainted? Groups urge EPA to look again

By dwray in The nature of things

When the Barnett Shale started booming about a decade ago, people were lining up to have companies like Range Resources drill in their North Texas backyards. However, that all changed when some of those living on top of the Barnett ...

Supreme Court to hear a case on genetically modified soybeans

By dwray in The nature of things

Indiana farmer Hugh Bowman planted soybeans he'd obtained from the local elevator, and they grew. The company that created the genetically modified beans, Monsanto, claims that Bowman, by planting them, violated the company's restrictions. It's an interesting case because the ...

The Eagle Ford Shale Legislative Caucus: It's a thing now

By dwray in The nature of things

If you haven't heard about the Eagle Ford Shale, you're obviously living on another planet, because it's been the talk of Crossroads for a couple of years now. The Texas Legislature is also getting in on the act; lawmakers created ...

Energy Secretary is on his way out

By dwray in The nature of things

There's always a lot of turnover at the beginning of a new term of office and this second round with President Obama is no exception. EPA head Lisa Jackson announced she was done, as did Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who ...