The only way to get results for patients and families on health care is to work across the aisle and find common ground—and we’re doing exactly that in the Senate”
(Washington, D.C.) – Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate health committee, today issued the following statement on President Trump’s executive order intended to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and cause further confusion in our health care markets.
“The policies President Trump is announcing today are the latest and worst in his yearlong effort to create Trumpcare by sabotage. They will force patients across the country to pay more for their care, lose quality coverage options, and find themselves with surprise medical bills when they can least afford it.
“As we’ve seen again and again this year, the only way to get results for patients and families on health care is to work across the aisle and find common ground—and we’re doing exactly that in the Senate to try to stabilize the market and protect people from some of the damage President Trump’s health care sabotage has caused.
“The President has made a lot of promises to families about their health care, and if he truly wants to keep them, he’ll stop trying to create Trumpcare by sabotage, accept that repeal is off the table, and support Congress in getting our work done for patients and families.”
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=DA510F40-02AB-4975-998D-C2527B0227AA
OUR PARKS AND FOREST
US DEPT. OF INTERIOR:Interior Welcomes Six New Hires to the Department
WASHINGTON – This week, the Department of the Interior announced the addition of six appointees to join the Department. These individuals will fill key positions throughout the Department, including in the Bureau of Land Management, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs.
"We are building out a team of qualified, experienced leaders to move the administration's agenda forward,” said Secretary Zinke. “As we continue to bring in the best our country has to offer, I'm confident we can continue to deliver results for the American people."
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-welcomes-six-new-hires-department
Bureau of Land Management third quarter oil and gas lease sales hit combined $170.7 million
PRESS RELEASE DATED 10/ 6/ 17
WASHINGTON – In keeping with the Administration’s goals of promoting America’s energy dominance, seven Bureau of Land Management state offices generated $170.7 million in bonus bids during their quarterly oil and gas lease sales. Among these sales, rights to a total of 218 parcels, covering 134,834.71 acres were sold.
"Oil and gas lease sales on federal land directly support domestic energy production and President Trump’s energy dominance goals for America," said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. "These sales provide critical revenue and job growth in rural America. We will continue to work to cut the red tape and improve processes to ensure regulations serve their intended purpose."
“These successful lease sales reflect our sound energy policy, which draws from the vast, untapped energy reserves right here in America,” said acting BLM Director Michael D. Nedd.
BLM New Mexico had the largest sale of the quarter, generating approximately $130.9 million in bonus bids on Sept. 7. Wyoming held the second-largest sale of the quarter on Sept. 21, generating $38.7 million in bonus bids.
BLM Colorado’s sale, held on Sept. 7, totaled $602,088 in bonus bids. In BLM Montana/Dakotas, bonus bids totaled $305,802 in a sale held Sept. 12. Sales that same day in Nevada and Utah brought in $33,120 and $8,204, respectively. In Eastern States, bonus bids totaled $201,018 in lease sales held on Sept. 21.
The Sept. 7 sale in New Mexico is also the largest federal onshore sale so far this year, followed by an earlier sale in Wyoming, in February, which generated nearly $129 million in bonus bids.
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/bureau-land-management-third-quarter-oil-and-gas-lease-sales-hit-combined-1707-million
ON THE STATE LEVEL
Most popular hunting seasons of the year open Oct. 14
OLYMPIA – Some of Washington's most popular hunting seasons will get underway Oct. 14, when modern firearm deer hunters and waterfowl hunters take to the field.
The harsh winter of 2016-17 appears to have taken a toll on some elk and deer populations—especially in parts of eastern Washington, said Jerry Nelson, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) deer and elk section manager.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/oct0317a/
DNR Issues Default Notice to Cooke Aquaculture for Rich Passage Net Pens
Company has 60 days to fix flaws found in net pens
Flaws found in the structure of Cooke Aquaculture's Atlantic salmon net pens in Rich Passage have prompted the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue a letter of default today, Monday Oct. 9.
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/dnr-issues-default-notice-cooke-aquaculture-rich-passage-net-pens
OUR ENVIRONMENT
News from the EPAAdministrator Pruitt Addresses National Tribal Operations Committee
Press release issued 10/ 11/ 17
WASHINGTON – Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt addressed the National Tribal Operations Committee (NTOC) where he spoke on the pressing issues facing environmental leaders in Indian country and how best the Agency and tribal leaders can collaborate on their shared goals and challenges.
“EPA is committed to working and partnering with tribal governments to address our shared environmental concerns and challenges,” said Administrator Pruitt. “I understand the important role that tribal governments play in environmental management, and the unique government-to-government relationship that tribes have with the federal government. The process that we engage in as co-regulators is very important. I believe that regulations ought to make sense, and part of that is engaging directly with tribal governments --taking comments and consulting with tribal governments, so that we are making informed decisions.”
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/administrator-pruitt-addresses-national-tribal-operations-committee
EPA Awards Tetra Tech Inc. $85 Million Contract to Assess Navajo Abandoned Uranium Mines ( press release issued 10/ 11/ 17)
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Tetra Tech Inc. the Navajo Area Abandoned Uranium Mines Response, Assessment, and Evaluation Services contract worth $85 million.
Tetra Tech will initially assess uranium contamination at 30 abandoned uranium mines in and around the Navajo Nation. The company will also partner with Navajo Technical University (NTU) and local businesses to train Navajo members in professional positions related to assessment and cleanup work. In addition, Tetra Tech has committed to procure services and supplies, whenever possible, from Navajo-owned businesses, helping boost the local economy and create jobs. Under the contract, Tetra Tech will regularly report the assessment, training and purchasing results to the agency, the Navajo Nation and the public.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-awards-tetra-tech-inc-85-million-contract-assess-navajo-abandoned-uranium-mines-0
ON THE STATE LEVEL...
DOE: Electronics recycler fined $67,500 for violating dangerous waste laws
(Press release issued 10/ 12/ 17)
Total Reclaim illegally stored e-waste in trailers on Harbor Island
SEATTLE – The Washington Department of Ecology has fined Seattle-based electronics recycler Total Reclaim, Inc. $67,500 for illegally storing hundreds of thousands of pounds of flat screen TVs and monitors. Washington law requires e-waste to be either recycled or disposed of as dangerous waste in a timely manner.
This is the second recent dangerous waste penalty for Total Reclaim. In 2016, Ecology fined the company $444,000 after an independent investigation found the company was shipping e-waste to Hong Kong.
An Ecology inspection in February of this year found that, for more than a year, Total Reclaim stored thousands of flat screen TVs and monitors containing mercury in dozens of semi-trailers parked on Harbor Island. Washington’s electronics recycling policies and dangerous waste laws prohibit what is known as “speculative accumulation,” because it can lead to waste being abandoned, environmental contamination, or force taxpayers to pay for a cleanup.
“After receiving a very large penalty about a year ago, Total Reclaim knew it needed to fully comply with Washington’s recycling policies and dangerous waste regulations,” said Darin Rice, manager of Ecology’s Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program. “Electronic waste contains toxic chemicals – it’s not good enough to simply store it for months or years. It needs to be properly and safely recycled in a timely manner.”
Since Ecology’s inspection, Total Reclaim has shipped flat screens stored longer than 180 days to a facility in South Carolina for recycling.
Total Reclaim has 30 days to pay the penalty or file an appeal with the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board.
Washington residents can recycle TVs, monitors, computers and other electronics for free at participating E-Cycle Washington locations. For questions about where other items can be recycled, call or visit 1-800-RECYCLE.
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2017/077.html
WORLD & NATIONAL HEADLINES FROM REUTERS...
Trump expected to make U.S. move against Iran nuclear deal -officialsWASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is likely to take a major step against the international nuclear deal with Iran on Friday, laying out a more aggressive approach to Iranian activities in the Middle East that risks upsetting U.S. relations with European allies.
Allies press Catalan leader to declare full independence, ignore Madrid deadlines
MADRID (Reuters) - Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont came under pressure from one of his key allies on Friday to declare full independence and ignore a threat of direct rule from the Spanish government.
Republican U.S. senator from Maine who stood up to Trump to reveal plans
(Reuters) - U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a moderate Republican who helped block her party’s efforts to repeal Obamacare this year, plans to reveal on Friday whether she will keep her focus on Washington or make a run for governor next year.
U.S. House approves disaster funds as Trump criticizes Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new package of U.S. disaster assistance sailed through the House of Representatives on Thursday, despite President Donald Trump expressing impatience with having to devote federal resources for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico’s recovery.
Daily Bible Verse: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
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