Despite 4,123 oil spills in the North Sea since 2000, energy companies were fined only seven times. The UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change said, through the end of 2011, the fines for the incidents totaled less than $120,000. Most of that came from penalties imposed because of spills by BP and Total E&P. A Greenpeace activist complained that the government “should hit these companies who pollute the oceans in this way with meaningful fines” and that the penalties imposed were “not even a slap on the wrist.” The government disclosure, which stemmed from a freedom of information request, came as officials announced they approved a “record-breaking” 167 new North Sea drilling licenses. The Guardian
BP says it finished capping and plugging abandoned equipment believed to be the source of a recent oil sheen. The sighting had raised concerns after it had been spotted in September near the scene of the company’s massive 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. To solve the problem, the London-based oil giant on Thursday said it finished placing a 750-pound cap over an 86-ton steel container that the company once deployed in a failed effort to contain the Deepwater Horizon spill. BP and the Coast Guard both say no oil has been seen leaking out of the container since this week’s work was completed. BP plans to monitor the sheen by satellite for several more days. The Associated Press
Cesium detected off Japan’s coast suggests radiation from 2011′s nuclear disaster could taint sea life for decades. Research published in the journal Science highlights the challenges facing Japan as it seeks to protect its food supply and rebuild the local fishing industry. The study found that about 40 percent of fish caught near the site of the Fukushima nuclear disaster and tested by the government still have too much cesium to be safe to eat under regulatory limits set by Japan last year. Results were tracked for the 12 months following the March 2011 disaster. The findings suggest that radiation from the plant is still being released into the ocean, the study’s author said. The New York Times, Los Angeles Times
Chemical industry pumps millions into campaigns. Industry interests have spent $375 million since 2005 to help elect and influence federal leaders. A particular industry concern is an effort it opposes to toughen the Toxic Substances Control Act, according to a report released this week by Common Cause. The nonprofit group found that, in the current election cycle, chemical industry contributions have favored Republicans over Democrats, 78 percent to 22 percent. Separately, Monsanto and other agrichemical interests have spent more than $20 million — on top of the food industry’s nearly equivalent sum — for ads opposing Proposition 37, a California measure to require labeling of genetically modified foods. The Huffington Post
German drug company to pay $95 million to settle False Claims Act civil case. The U.S. Justice Department said Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals promoted drugs for uses that weren’t federally approved. The products included Aggrenox, a stroke prevention medication; Micardis, a blood-pressure treatment; and Combivent, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease drug. The company also was accused of promoting the use of Combivent and another pulmonary disease drug, Atrovent, at doses exceeding approved levels. In addition, Boehringer was accused of paying kickbacks — through consulting, speaking and advisory board deals — to induce medical professionals to prescribe the drugs. Bloomberg, The Associated Press
Compiled by Stuart Silverstein
