Daily Archives: July 15, 2017

Follow the Social Liberal Forum conference today – Liberal Democrat Voice

Posted: July 15, 2017 at 11:42 pm

The annual Social Liberal Forum conference is always nourishing for the Liberal soul. Theres always some proper intellectual heft behind its discussions and deliberations.

It takes place today in London. By the time you read this, Ill have been up since before the crack of dawn. That 6:25 flight from Edinburgh is not my favourite way to travel but I couldnt justify the cost of the sleeper. The last time I was on this particular flight, it didnt even leave until after 11.

The theme of the Conference is The Retreat from Globalisation. That takes the morning and the afternoon will include a leadership hustings (free to all Lib Dem members to attend) and a look back at the General Election.

Heres how the day will unfold:

10am: Refreshments 10.30am: Welcome 10.35am: William Beveridge Memorial Lecture Is a liberal and democratic society compatible with globalisation?,William Wallace 11.30am: Global conflict, Prof Sir Lawrence Freedman 12.10pm: Global warming, Ed Davey MP and Mark Campanale

11.30am: Universal basic income, Helen Flynn 12.10pm: What would a 21st century preamble to the Lib Dem constitution look like?, Seth Thevoz

12.50pm: Lunch

1.30pm: Leadership Q+A 2.30pm:Refreshments 2.45pm:Perspectives on the General Election, Sarah Olney, Caron Lindsay, Joyce Onstad, Daisy Cooper 3.45pm:Reflections on the General Election, David Howarth 4.30pm: Close

No doubt people will be tweeting from the event, using the hashtag #slfconf.

Well obviously have a full report in the next few days.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings

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Even without budget, lawmakers race to finish spending bills – E&E News

Posted: at 11:42 pm

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Geof Koss and George Cahlink, E&E News reporters

Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, has concerns about moving forward with funding legislation without a bipartisan deal on spending caps. Anthony DeYoung/National Park Service/Flickr

Senate and House appropriators continue to press ahead with their fiscal 2018 spending bills, despite lacking a broad bipartisan deal that would allow them to eventually become law.

Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico, the top Democrat on the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, said yesterday he expects that panel to mark up its fiscal 2018 bill "in the next week or so."

"We're still having discussions and working together, and most of our hearings have been pretty good in terms of fleshing out the issues, and I feel there's a lot of bipartisanship there," he said.

However, the lack of a top-line spending number normally set in the budget resolution is hampering efforts.

The full Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday advanced the fiscal 2018 military construction and Veteran Affairs bill, typically one of the less controversial spending measures.

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Udall said drafters followed numbers set by the years-old Budget Control Act. Democrats unsuccessfully tried to increase the $88.9 billion measure by $1.6 billion, contingent on a new budget deal lifting spending caps in the coming weeks.

That agreement should include "parity" between defense and non-defense spending, Udall said. "That's how we negotiated last time," he said. "Eventually everybody came to the table and came up with a number."

Parity and the omission of contentious policy riders would again be the terms for a deal, Udall said. "We're sticking with those," he said.

While the fiscal 2017 Interior-Environment bill had a sizable number of riders, Democrats "were able to get them out for the omnibus," Udall noted.

"The best argument right now is, when you're dealing with an all-Republican Congress and all-Republican president, if they want to do things substantively they should do them in the authorizing committee and pass them," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) decision to delay the start of the August recess for two weeks could help the appropriations process along, Udall said.

But if spending caps aren't determined "until well into August," that increases the likelihood of a continuing resolution to keep the government open in September, when the fiscal year ends.

"I'm not saying we're there yet, but the more you get backed up and don't have these numbers," the greater the odds are for a CR, Udall said.

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said yesterday the House is "well ahead of schedule" for moving the spending bills with all 12 expected to be out of committee by next week (see related story). Ryan said he's now weighing options for moving them to the floor but did not offer a specific timeline.

A House leadership aide said it's possible some of the more bipartisan spending bills, covering the military and veterans, could be taken up before the chamber leaves for its summer break late this month.

Ryan said he's open to a bipartisan deal on spending with the Senate but suggested the House would adopt its own budget as a first step. The nonbinding plan sets overall spending for the year and usually is a prerequisite to appropriations bills moving to the floor.

"This is the classic legislative process. The House moves with its position, the Senate moves with theirs, and then we negotiate a compromise at the end of the day," said Ryan.

After weeks of delays, the House Budget Committee could mark up its fiscal 2018 budget resolution next week and then have it on the floor by the end of the month. Several markups have been postponed as conservatives have pressed for deeper cuts in mandatory spending and specifics on a future tax overhaul.

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, said yesterday that $200 billion in mandatory cuts over 10 years in a draft House budget proposal might not be enough if there are large increases in discretionary spending. He also said any tax provisions should not include the border adjustment tax, which he said won't fly in the Senate and would create false savings (see related story).

The House GOP caucus is due to huddle this morning to weigh its budget options and could finalize plans for a markup.

Democrats in both chambers, meanwhile, were quick to tout a new assessment of the White House fiscal 2018 spending blueprint released yesterday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. It found President Trump's plan would reduce the deficit but not balance in 10 years as the administration predicted.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called on the GOP to work with Democrats to come up with an alternative. "Instead of following down the president's road to ruin, House Republicans should join Democrats to pass a budget that creates jobs and raises wages for working families across America," she said.

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Senate and House appropriators continue to press ahead with their fiscal 2018 spending bills, despite lacking a broad bipartisan deal that would allow them to eventually become law.

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New show discovers man-made jungle utopia – News.com.au – NEWS.com.au

Posted: at 11:40 pm

Director Ondi Timoner was at a conference when she met the man who would take her on a journey into the Panamanian jungle.

Entrepreneur Jimmy Stice is the man behind the creation of a sustainable town called Kalu Yala, built in the heart of the jungle by the idealistic students he attracts there.

"I'd never heard anyone say they were building a town. He asked me if I'd come down and help him to tell this story and as soon as I walked into the place I was sold and thought 'this must be documented'," Timoner said.

"I looked at this place and the people in it and I realised this was an opportunity to look at young people engaging actively in trying to come up with new ways to live sustainably, at a time where all of us must."

The director knew she could make something suspenseful based on the dramas involved in creating this place, but she also wanted to make a documentary series showing a different side to the young people living there.

"At the same time that it's about the environment, it's really also about millennials, and it's a look at millennials from a very intimate standpoint because when you wake up in the jungle you can't go put make-up on or prepare yourself for the day to go meet people, you are in a real community in the way that we don't live any more," she said.

She moved there with her crew, building a media centre operating off solar power and created the docu-series Jungletown, set to air on SBS Viceland.

It wasn't easy but in her time spent living there, mostly off the grid, Timoner could see its appeal.

"It's an amazing place, it'd change your life.," she said.

"For these kids - many of whom you'll see rebel, some of whom you'll see leave - it's the most profound experience they've ever had in their lives. It can be really challenging to be there and it puts you in a very raw state where you get to see the most authentic version of everyone around you."

*Jungletown airs on SBS VICELAND from July 18

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Top-tier ballers in FIBA U17 Oceania Championships – Pacific Daily News

Posted: at 11:39 pm

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The best U17 basketball players in Oceania go for gold at FIBA tournament

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Jojo Santo Tomas , jsantotoma@guampdn.com Published 9:45 p.m. ChT July 15, 2017 | Updated 9:52 p.m. ChT July 15, 2017

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Guam's Chloe Miranda looks for an open player in Team Guam's game against Australia on July 14.(Photo: Courtesy of FIBA)

The best youth ballers from Oceania have been on Guam for the past week, fighting for medals and a chance to represent their countries once again in the FIBA U18 Asia Championship 2018.

Guam's men won bronze after a resounding 105-70 win over Samoa on Saturday afternoon. Guam had lost the night before,155-39to Australia, which playedNew Zealand in the finals. Australia took thegoldwith a winning score of 93-55 Saturday, July 15.

In women's action, Guam's U17 team lost a heartbreaker to Samoa88-58 in the bronze medal game, a day after losing to Australia 154-12. Australia overpoweredNew Zealand to take home the gold, 81-60.

All four basketball nations Australia, New Zealand, Guam and Samoa qualified for the FIBA U18 Asia Championship scheduled for 2018.

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Tonga qualify for RWC 2019 as Oceania 2 – Rugby World Cup 2019 (press release) (blog)

Posted: at 11:39 pm

RWC 2019

Fiji's win over Samoa saw them crowned World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2017 champions and confirmed Tonga's qualification for Rugby World Cup 2019 as the Oceania 2 qualifier.

Henry Seniloli scored a hat-trick as Fiji defied the rain that fell in the second half at Apia Park to beat their hosts Samoa 38-16 and successfully defend their World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup title.

Fiji had trailed Samoa 16-14 at half-time, but by the final whistle had outscored their hosts by five tries to one to complete the Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification process which spanned both the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Pacific Nations Cup, unbeaten.

The Fijians had already confirmed their place at RWC 2019 in Japan as the Oceania 1 qualifier with a narrow victory over Tonga last weekend, taking their place in Pool D alongside Australia, Wales, Georgia and the Americas 2 qualifier (Canada or Uruguay).

Samoa needed to get something out of the match if they were to claim the Oceania 2 spot, but their failure to do so means that Tonga instead complete the Pool C line-up with England, France, Argentina and USA for Japan 2019.

The Samoans, who finished a point behind Tonga in the standings across the two competitions, must now wait to learn the identity of the European team they will face next year to determine the Play-off Winner qualifier in Pool A.

If Samoa fail to take that route by beating the winner of Czech Republic or Portugal versus the second-place team in the 2018 Rugby Europe Championship (excluding Georgia, who have already qualified) they will be pitched into the global repechage tournament.

Fiji made the better start at Apia Park and took an early lead through a converted try for scrum-half Seniloli. However, Samoa, with the breeze at their backs, fought back and some enterprising play from a quick tap penalty saw captain David Lemi score a try in the left corner.

Tusi Pisis conversion levelled the scores, but Fiji responded with a wonderful counter-attack with full-back Timoci Nagusa prominent and Senioli crossed for his second try of the match. Once again Samoa pressed and the pressure caused ill-discipline from Fiji, allowing fly-half Pisi to kick three penalties to give the hosts a slender 16-14 lead at the break.

The rain started to fall at half-time, but it didnt faze Fiji who unleashed a 15-man game that stretched Samoa wide. The tactics worked and in the damp conditions Fiji scored three more tries through Senioli, centre Jale Vatubua and replacement Apisalome Ratuniyarawa.

Fiji fly-half Ben Volavola was immaculate with the boot, kicking five conversions and a penalty for a personal haul of 13 points in the victory.

It was a great win and I think our bench was great and it showed in the second half. We were too narrow in the first half and we gave away penalties that kept Samoa in the game, said Fiji coach John McKee. We are proud to have defended our PNC title. It is also our fourth test win in a row and I am told that is a record for Fiji.

Of course we have also qualified for RWC 2019 and we will now focus on that. This is a talented group and we have some younger talent emerging also. I believe this squad can improve further and our aim will be to make the quarter-finals in 2019.

It is an ambitious goal as RWC is incredibly hard but you have to be ambitious to succeed.

Samoa coach Alama Ieremia was inevitably disappointed with the result, which will see his side slip one place to 16th when the World Rugby Rankings update at 12 noon on Monday, their lowest position since the rankings were introduced in 2003.

We had a good first half but we knew we had to get a lead as we had the wind in the first half. We went into the break ahead but we made too many errors in the second half and Fiji capitalised on them. Fiji deserved the victory and we congratulate them.

We really wanted to win for the country and the boys tried really hard. I guess it is a painful lesson but the young squad will hopefully learn from it and we can take the experience forward as we do have a second chance at RWC qualification.

We have to play home and away against Europe 2 in the next stage of qualification. Some say it is a silver lining as we may end up in an easier pool but to be honest that is little consolation tonight. We will regroup and I am sure the squad will do the country proud in the future.

There is one stage of Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification remaining in the region with the Cook Islands to face Tahiti in the Oceania Rugby Cup on 4 August. The winner will face the Asia Rugby Championship 2018 winner for a place in repechage tournament.

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Which Country Today Is Most Like Orwell’s 1984 Authoritarian Nightmare? – Newsweek

Posted: at 11:39 pm

This article first appeared on the American Enterprise Institute site.

Its been almost 70 years since English novelist Eric Arthur Blair, writing under the pseudonym George Orwell, penned 1984, his famous dystopian novel which depicted life in Oceania, a state in perpetual war with omnipresent government surveillance, strict state control of the media, and cynical government manipulation of the populace.

The state prosecutes thought crime and independent thinking. The Inner Party strictly controls policy, even as members of the Outer Party fill other bureaucratic slots in order to keep the state functioning. Historical revisionism is rife and alliances shift rapidly.

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After years of war against Eurasia, Oceanias policy suddenly switches, hence the declarative statement, Oceania was at war with Eastasia: Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia, no matter the reality of previous years.

Orwell wrote his masterpiece in the wake of World War II and against the backdrop of the expansion of communism throughout Eastern Europe and its attempts to make inroads into Western Europe.

Photographs of Eric Blair, whose pen name was George Orwell, from his Metropolitan Police file, c.1940. The National Archives UK

The reason 1984 remains so relevant today, however, is that uncomfortable takes on fake news and government disdain for individual liberty remain too real in too many places. After President Donald Trumps inauguration, 1984 shot up the rankings on Amazon, leading the publisher to print an additional 70,000 copies.

Whatever disdain people might have for Trump and his unwillingness to confront even the reality of his past statements and positions, the United States is not Oceania and any suggestion otherwise is an exaggeration. The judiciary is independent and the media free. What countries then come closest to the Oceania of Orwells creation?

North Korea is, of course, the most totalitarian country on earth. Foreign media consumption is not allowed. Children are indoctrinated from birth, if not from North Korean schools then by their own families who fear the consequence of any question or remark, however innocent, that could contradict or somehow cross the Dear Leaders line.

Dissidence, real or suspected, will lead to punishment not only for the individual but for generations of his or her family. Heroes one day transform into despicable human scum.

Turkmenistan, at least under the late leader Turkmenbashi, came close. He named days and months after himself and his family, and constructed a gold statue that rotated with the sun.

But, while Turkmenbashi sought absolute obedience, his regime was more authoritarian than totalitarian. Eritrea, too, is authoritarian in the extreme especially with regard to press freedom and free expression but is not organized enough to be truly totalitarian.

If Orwell were alive today, the country which might best conform to 1984 might well be Turkey. The issue isnt simply President Recep Tayyip Erdogans corruption or authoritarianism. In that, he is really no different from Russian President Vladimir Putin or Venezuelan dictator Nicols Maduro.

Rather, it is how Erdogan has seized control of the media in order to impose narratives that change as rapidly as Oceanias wars against Eastasia and Eurasia. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was Erdogans best-friend, for example, until he wasnt.

But woe to any Turk that points out how Erdogan cultivated Assad and even vacationed with him. Turkeys relationship with Russia is enough to give any observer whiplash, moving from cautious trade partners to sanctions and military bluster to the tightest of allies over the course of a year.

The same has become especially apparent in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 abortive coup, which Erdogan blames on friend-turned-rival Fethullah Glen, a US-based theologian.

After the Erdogan-Glen dispute about finances and corruption spilled into the open in 2013, the Erdogan-controlled Turkish press turned on a dime, ascribing ever-more outlandish conspiracies to a man with whom they were infatuated just months before.

Remember, just a few years earlier, Turkish police were seeking the author and all copies of an unpublished manuscript critical of Glen. While the book was unpublished and therefore no libel had occurred Erdogan and Turkeys police sought to prosecute the case because, at the time, to think negatively about Glen or his followers was intolerable.

But that was then and this is now. Erdogan and his press today ascribe a name the Fethullahist Terror Organization to his organization and hundreds of thousands of his followers and demand the Turkish press pick up the narrative.

The state propels the same accusations they once sought to suppress. In effect, Erdogan has always been at war with Eastasia. Likewise, even though Erdogans coup-night narrative is full of holes, Turkish journalists and academics are not allowed to ask questions about the inconsistencies.

The scariest part of Turkeys descent into Orwellianism is how many people outside Turkey have been willing to play along. Some American institutions seem to find little wrong in Erdogans theories, or they self-censor because they seek donations from firms Erdogan or his family members control.

Individual analysts at best remain silent and at worst affirm Erdogans theories in the press because they maintain energy sector or consulting contracts and prefer not to antagonize the Turkish president, whatever their private thoughts might be. Turkish-born analysts equivocate because they worry that Erdogan might retaliate against their families.

Some Western journalists self-censor to maintain access, and even Freedom House appears at best to lack moral clarity and at worst side with access over censorship.

What has happened in Turkey is tragic. The issue is no longer simply freedom of speech but rather freedom of thought. As tens of thousands are jailed and more than 100,000 fired, even more have become non-persons, no longer entitled to jobs, school, legal representation, or government benefits all because of suspicions about what they think.

Meanwhile, those who want to get ahead or even merely survive must parrot Erdogans lines, no matter how contradictory they might have been to those the president muttered only weeks or months before. Time in Turkey is running backwards, and the country increasingly seems mired in 1984.

Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. A former Pentagon official, his major research areas are the Middle East, Turkey, Iran and diplomacy.

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Jamaica Routs Bahamas 64-48 – Bahamas Tribune

Posted: at 11:34 pm

Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin reacts on the sidelines as the Bahamas falls 64-48 to Jamaica.

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said they are trying their best to adjust to the high level of competition the Bahamas is facing at the FIBA Women's CentroBasket Championships.

Coming off their 61-56 loss to Mexico the day before in UVI Arena in St Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, the Bahamas dropped a 64-48 decision to Jamaica on day two of the week-long tournament yesterday.

"We are trying to put it together, but with the youth and inexperience playing at this level, the adjustment of the physicality has been a challenge," said McPhee-McCuin, who is assisted by Donnie Culmer and Terrance 'Red Eye' McSweeney.

"We have not been able to put it together offensively, which dictates how we do defensively. But knowing that we are not playing that well offensively, we have to pick it up defensively."

Jamaica outscored the Bahamas in every quarter, including a 16-8 spurt in the third as they increased their 31-27 halftime lead to 47-35 going into the fourth.

In the first quarter, Jamaica led 16-15 and they went on a 17-13 run in the fourth to preserve the win.

"This is not our top team that we have over here. If we had that team, we would be in shape," McPhee-McCuin stated. "If we can get our top team together, I don't think anyone would be us in this tournament.

"But we have to play with a lot of inexperience so we have to get them to play hard and getting them used to playing at this level. So we're taking it one game at a time. As a coach, I'm trying to figure out ways to give them an opportunity to win, but we have to make shots and we have to defend."

Forward Leashja Grant led the way for the Bahamas with a double-double, scoring 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. She played 30 minutes and shot 5-for-16 from the field and 2-for-3 from the free throw line.

Forward Pamela Bethel was the next highest scorer with nine points and three rebounds. Small forward Philicia Kelly had eight points and three rebounds and centre Shalonda Neely added six points with three rebounds.

Guard Diasti Delancy was the team's assist leader with four and Neely had a best of three steals.

Jamaica had four players in double figures. Both centre Yanique Gordan (10 rebounds, three steals, three blocks and two assists) and shooting guard Sasha Dixon (six rebounds and three steals) shared game high honours with 16 apiece. Forwards Shenneika Smith (seven rebounds) and Tarita Gordon (four rebounds and four assists) both added 10 points.

The Bahamas will be back in action today against the Virgin Islands at 7:30pm. They will play Puerto Rico on Saturday at 5:15pm and close out round robin play against Guatemala 3pm Sunday.

"It only gets tougher from here," McPhee-McCuin pointed out. "I feel like winning the game is great, but we need to find small victories, especially if these girls are going to be the future of women's basketball when the other ones are done playing."

So far, Grant is leading the Bahamas with an average of 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, while Delancy is dishing out 3.5 assists.

"In our first game, Leashja had 29 points, but in this game she only had 12 points, so the teams are paying attention to her," McPhee-McCuin said. "They know that she can play and so she will no longer get easy baskets like she did the first game.

"And as a veteran, Diasti is trying to provide the leadership, but as we continue to play, I'm just going to try to get them to continue to play hard and defend. If they can do those small things, we will get better as a team and hopefully we can start winning."

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Beach soccer teams off to Bahamas tomorrow – Trinidad Guardian

Posted: at 11:34 pm


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Beach soccer teams off to Bahamas tomorrow
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Two of T&T's Youth Beach Soccer teams will leave for Nassau, Bahamas tomorrow to participate at the Youth Commonwealth Games. The two T&T Under 19 teams will form part of a 50-member contingent that will take part in various events at the Games, July ...

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Bahamas Ex Minister, Dorsett granted $50,000 bail Magnetic Media – Magnetic Media (press release)

Posted: at 11:34 pm

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Bahamas, July 14th 2017: Kenred Dorsett has been granted $50,000 bail with two sureties after appearing in the Supreme Court today. The 46-year old former Environment Minister has been accused of soliciting bribes from Jonathon Ash for services involving the New Providence Landfill during its fire in March this year.

Dorsett was remanded to the Department of Correction Services on Thursday on a count of nine criminal charges, including a single count of misconduct in public office and four counts each of extortion and bribery. The former minister appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney while, Supreme Court Justice Carolitha Bethel heard the bail application in chambers.

It is alleged that Dorsett, while a public official between March 1st and May 9th, the eve of General Elections this year, demanded and obtained two payments of $10,000 and two payments of $50,000 from Mr Ash.

Dorsett pleaded not guilty to the allegations. The Matter has been adjourned to August 31st.

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ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS DEFEAT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ATTEMPT TO DISMISS CASE ON OFFSHORE … – Santa Barbara Edhat

Posted: at 11:33 pm

Source: Environmental Defense Center

Today, the federal court in Los Angeles issued an order ruling that the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper (Channelkeeper) prevailed against the federal governments effort to dismiss their case. In November 2016, the groups filed a lawsuit challenging the failure of the federal government to analyze and disclose the potential risks and impacts caused by fracking and acidizing from offshore oil platforms in southern California, including the Santa Barbara Channel.

In April 2016, the federal government filed a motion attempting to dismiss the case and prevent the court from addressing the merits. The government took the incorrect position that EDC and Channelkeeper could not challenge their programmatic analysis and instead must wait for individual permits that approve fracking and acidizing. The court rejected this argument and ruled in favor of EDC and Channelkeeper on all grounds.

The court determined that the agencies analysis allows the use of fracking and acidizing without restriction offshore California. In addition, the court ruled that this action is appropriately in front of the court now because even if future permits are required, the agencies have made their final determination that these actions do not impact the environment, and the government will not be required to revisit that decision. Therefore, EDC and Channelkeeper have the right to challenge the federal governments decision in court.

We are thrilled that the court saw through the governments attempt to avoid the merits of this case, said Maggie Hall, Staff Attorney with EDC. The federal governments own analysis makes clear that the agencies have approved the widespread and unlimited use of fracking and acidizing. This action could not be more in need of the courts review.

The lawsuit alleges that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) violated the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) because they failed to consult with the expert wildlife agencies regarding potential impacts from these well stimulation techniques to at least 25 threatened and endangered species, including whales, sea otters, fur seals, sea turtles, marine and coastal birds, fish, and abalone. The lawsuit also seeks to compel the agencies to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that will fully evaluate and disclose the potential impacts on the marine environment, including toxic discharges of frac flowback fluid and extending the life of the existing oil platforms.

The impacts of offshore fracking and acidizing have never been meaningfully analyzed, said Kira Redmond, Executive Director of Channelkeeper. These practices will extend the life of existing oil platforms in a sensitive marine environment, which is still recovering from the May 19, 2015 Plains All American Pipeline rupture that devastated Californias coastline. We need information to understand the potential impacts of these practices so that appropriate measures can be implemented to protect the diverse web of marine life off our coast.

EDC previously sued BOEM and BSEE after learning that the agencies had approved more than 50 permits allowing offshore well stimulation, including fracking and acidizing, without any environmental review. That lawsuit led to a settlement agreement requiring the agencies to prepare the first ever environmental review of offshore fracking and acidizing. Unfortunately, the resulting analysis failed to meaningfully address the potential impacts to the marine environment.

The use of offshore fracking and acidizing in the Santa Barbara Channel poses significant risks to the sensitive marine environment. The Santa Barbara Channel harbors such incredible biological diversity that it has been dubbed the Galapagos of North America. Acidizing and fracking are both potentially dangerous oil production processes involving the injection of large amounts of water and chemicals into the ground in order to fracture or dissolve rock. More information can be found in EDCsDirty Water: Fracking Offshore Californiareport.

The Environmental Defense Center,a non-profit law firm, protects and enhances the local environment through education, advocacy, and legal action and works primarily within Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. Since 1977, EDC has empowered community-based organizations to advance environmental protection. EDCs focus areas include protection of the Santa Barbara Channel, ensuring clean water, preserving open space and wildlife, and addressing climate and energy. Learn more about EDC atwww.EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org.

Santa Barbara Channelkeeperis a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds through science-based advocacy, education, field work and enforcement. Learn more about Channelkeeper atwww.sbck.org.

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