A New Jersey truck driver has been sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison after illegally dumping thousands of gallons of gasoline in Pennsylvania, a reckless act that caused widespread environmental damage, killed wildlife, and forced the closure of a local elementary school. The case underscores how fuel transportation violations can carry serious criminal …
Category: EPA
Poultry Federation supports stay in Illinois River case
Poultry Federation criticizes attorney general’s actions A year-end statement from The Poultry Federation sharply criticized Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, warning his continued pursuit of millions of dollars in penalties against poultry growers could force family farms out of business across eastern Oklahoma. The comments came from outgoing Federation President Marvin Childers, issued one day …
Colorado coal plant avoids shutdown under emergency order
Federal emergency order delays Craig Station shutdown The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order at the end of 2025 requiring a northwest Colorado coal-fired power plant to remain in operation beyond its planned closure date. The order, signed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Dec. 30, came one day before Craig Station in Moffat County, …
Energy briefs
** The U.S. is preparing for a high-risk boarding of a massive oil tanker accused of evading sanctions tied to Venezuela, marking the most dangerous moment yet in Washington’s expanding maritime crackdown. Officials say the vessel ignored U.S. orders, reversed course at sea, and is now being pursued as elite forces move into position, according …
Energy briefs
** President Donald Trump said Monday that he has spoken to U.S. oil companies about what happens after regime change in Venezuela. At a Mar-a-Lago press conference Monday to announce a new “Trump Class” of battleships, a reporter asked, if Trump had spoken to American oil companies “that have had their assets seized about what a post-Maduro regime …
Governor Stitt criticizes Judge’s poultry ruling
The federal judge’s recent ruling which ordered poultry operations to pay millions of dollars in pollution cleanup of the Illinois River prompted Gov. Kevin Stitt to defend the poultry operations attacked by Attorney General Genter Drummond. After the Friday decision, the governor commented on Monday. “These family farmers did everything the right way. …
Energy Brief: Oil seizures, grid strain, travel surge
** The United States apprehended an oil tanker off Venezuela on Saturday, a move Caracas called a “theft and kidnapping,” according to U.S. officials. The action marks the second tanker interdiction in two weeks and follows President Donald Trump’s announcement of a blockade targeting sanctioned oil vessels entering or leaving Venezuela. ** Texas grid officials …
Legislator fears loss of family operations over poultry court order
Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, responded to a federal court order issued Friday that placed new restrictions on poultry litter use in the Illinois River watershed, a decision he said could have devastating consequences for poultry farmers and rural communities across several eastern Oklahoma counties. The ruling limits land application of poultry litter, imposes financial penalties …
Energy briefs
** The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, officials told Reuters on Sunday, in what would be the second such operation this weekend and the third in less than a week. ** A second oil tanker was seized by the U.S. Coast Guard on Saturday off the coast of …
Judge fines poultry firms over Oklahoma pollution—orders remediation of lawsuit
A federal judge’s ruling in Oklahoma’s more than 20-year lawsuit against several poultry companies accused of polluting rivers and streams held the firms responsible for the pollution of the Illinois River in the eastern part of the state. The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frizzell was against Tyson Foods, Simmons Foods, Cobb-Vantress, Cal-Maine …