Are Bird Flocks Migrating Out of the Gulf of Mexico Region?

Birds perceive the environment way before man does. That is the reason miners used to keep canaries in the mines back in the day. The environment (and especially gases) affect birds before it affects man. When the canary died, it was time to leave the mine.

If birds are indeed leaving the Gulf, then some type of mandatory evacuation of the Gulf of Mexico region by President Obama is likely imminent.

Unmanned AirLinx™ Drone Aircraft Can Read Utility Meters Automatically

The company that makes this Airlink drone aircraft is Master Meter. Below are the company's statements about the aircraft.

AIRLINX™ DRONE

While fixed network metering systems dominate water cooler conversation, Master Meter looked to the untethered skies to answer the question, “Can we get fixed network performance without the burdensome infrastructure requirements?” In conjunction with rural utilities, servicing sparsely populated areas, a solution was born utilizing battle-hardened, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV drone) technology coupled with advanced meter data collection electronics on board. Extremely sophisticated, inherently eco-friendly, compact in size and elegant in function, our AirLinx™ Data Collection System flies over a utility’s coverage area, completely self-guided by GPS, while collecting consumption information and monition for leak, theft, tamper and zero consumption (stuck meter or vacated service) alarms. AirLinx can be flown daily for an enhanced meter intelligence experience.

Preserving water is the real goal. Water is a finite resource. Supply can be increased through reaching out further or digging deeper, but water comes at a continuingly escalating cost. Technologies entering the market now help utilities act on Benjamin Franklin’s logic of “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Likewise, a drop of water saved is a drop of water produced and the key to promoting water preservation begins with accurate accounting of its journey from source to end user. One can subscribe to a prevailing logic in areas where water is abundant, that conservation is unnecessary. But this logic is faulty, and does not account for the cost of treatment-related chemicals and the high cost of electricity to process and deliver the goods. In fact, last year water utilities in the United States used 56 million kWH on water-related activities, such as pumping and treatment operations.

We can improve the preservation of water by improving the means by which we measure it, account for it, and track it. Master Meter has excelled in developing the technologies and applications required to do just that — not just on the utility side, but by empowering the user, the homeowner, the small business, the factory, or the irrigation person to understand their own consumption behavior. Educating end-users on consumption is one of the leading ways to modify their behavior, aid in conservation efforts and minimize billing disputes.

Source: US Infrastructure

Image Source: joeblack (Prison Planet Forums) from Waters & Waste Digest - June 2010

Estimated Oil & Gas Reserves in the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf as of December 31, 2006 (MMS Report)

Estimated Oil & Gas Reserves - Gulf of Mexico - December 31, 2006 (MMS)

As of December 31, 2006, proved reserves in the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) are estimated to be 20.30 billion barrels of oil and 183.7 trillion cubic feet of gas from 1,229 proved fields. Proved reserves are the total of the cumulative production plus remaining proved reserves. This number includes 34 proved fields that were added during 2006. It also includes the 273 proved fields that have produced and expired. It does not include the 59 unproved active fields. Estimates are derived for individual reservoirs from geologic mapping and reserve evaluation. Cumulative production from the proved fields accounts for 15.08 billion barrels of oil and 166.8 trillion cubic feet of gas. Remaining proved reserves are estimated to be 5.22 billion barrels of oil and 16.9 trillion cubic feet of gas. These reserves are recoverable from 956 proved active fields.

Source: Minerals Management Service - Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

Tactical Satellite-3 Completes Groundbreaking Experimental Mission Validating ARTEMIS (Military Imaging Spectrometer System)

Click the ARTEMIS data sheet from Raytheon for further information.

The U.S. Air Force selected Raytheon to research and develop the surveillance sensor for TacSat-3. This groundbreaking space sensor — the Advanced Responsive Tactically Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer (ARTEMIS) — is a sophisticated hyperspectral imaging sensor that was designed and built in less than 15 months as a rapid development project for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico [click here for the unit's fact sheet].

###

Tactical Satellite-3 completes groundbreaking experimental mission

Posted 6/10/2010 Updated 6/10/2010 Email story Print story

by Michael Kleiman
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

6/10/2010 - KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M -- Tactical Satellite-3 will transition from an experimental demonstration to an operational asset when spacecraft control authority officially transfers on June 12 from the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate here to Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo.

Launched in May 2009, the 880-pound satellite achieved many milestones such as proving the capability of transmitting processed data to a ground station within 10 minutes of call up.

"It has been a historic mission from the initial rapid checkout to the successful validation of the primary payload ARTEMIS, the Advanced Responsive Tactically-Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer. The small satellite has been able to assist with the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti and Chile and now the team looks forward to its new role in the operational arena," said Dr. Thomas Cooley, TacSat-3 program manager.

"The team accomplished all of the key program objectives and the satellite has provided high-quality, information-rich data, which we will continue to exploit for many months to fully quantify the applicability of the imaging spectrometer system to meet a wide range of applications. We also now have an excellent data set, which can be used to inform future satellite acquisitions of spectral systems," Dr. Cooley added.

Some of the highlights of TacSat-3's almost 13-month experimental flight included approximately 2,100 image collects performed by the ARTEMIS sensor, inaugural evaluation and employment in space of plug-and-play technology with the AFRL-led Space Avionics Experiment, downloading information obtained from ocean-based buoys to a ground station with the Office of Naval Research-sponsored Satellite Communications Package, and U.S. Army demonstration of tactical concept of operations with a space intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system.

Originating almost six years ago as part of the Responsive Space Initiative addressing the military's requirements for rapid, flexible, and cost-effective systems operating in the cosmos, TacSat-3 served as the premier small satellite project to utilize a formal payload selection process incorporating combatant commands' suggestions and a flag officer panel appraisal. The spacecraft also featured first generation modular bus technology designed to provide flexibility for successive small satellite missions.

"TacSat-3 has been a pathfinder to explore concepts of operation for future Operationally Responsive Space systems and has demonstrated the utility of hyperspectral information to benefit Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines around the world," said Dr. Peter Wegner, director of the Department of Defense's ORS office. "This has been a great partnership between many government and industry organizations and demonstrates how great things can be achieved on a small budget and in a short time. I look forward to future partnerships like this one."

Program collaborators consisted of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Development and Test Wing, AFRL's Sensors Directorate, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, ATK Spacecraft Systems and Services, NASA and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

"The project successfully demonstrated that a high-quality and low-cost imaging spectrometer sensor can be a reality opening the door for future operational systems employing imaging spectrometer technology. Having conducted multiple experiments with mission partners that proved the capability to use high-quality data to address a wide range of problems for the warfighter, we look forward to transitioning our lessons learned to all appropriate acquisition agencies," Dr. Cooley said.

Chevron Oil Leak in Salt Lake City Spills Up to 21,000 Gallons into Red Butte Creek

Are oil spills this common or is there something else occurring? Of course, there is the Deepwater Horizon spill, and today, there is a 21,000 gallon oil spill in the waterways of Salt Lake City.

Crews capped the site of a leak, which was spilling oil into Red Butte Creek. Chevron officials have confirmed the pipeline was shut off around 7a.m., but warn residual oil may be leaking at the fracture point.

Though the site of the leak has been contained, officials estimate between 400 and 500 barrels of oil have already been released.

Source: KSL.com

NASA & Thai Officials Say Earth's Planetary Alignment & Solar Eclipse on June 12 May Cause Massive Earthquake & Tsunami

I just read this prediction by NASA and Thailand's National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) that the Earth's planetary alignment could cause natural disasters. I was initially skeptical along with people in the scientific community, but there was just a 7.5 earthquake reported in the Indian Ocean. I doubt that it is merely coincidence.

Earlier, Kongpop U-yen, a Thai engineer who works at the US National Aeronatics and Space Administration (Nasa), said the alignment of the planets today could cause natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.

NDWC chief Smith Dharmasarojana agreed with the forecast, saying it was backed by scientific data.

Source: Bangkok Post

University of Georgia Marine Scientist Says Gulf of Mexico's Methane Gas Concentration Is Greatest She Has Ever Seen

This is one of those times when we need some good fortune to shine favorably upon us and deliver an buzzer-beating miracle to stop the spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I do not know what will happen, but it appears that things are getting worse. In addition to the oil and Corexit contamination of the Gulf waters, methane gas is also a problem with the spill.

Methane gas depletes the marine oxygen levels, making it difficult for fish and other organisms to survive. One scientist says the methane gas concentration is at record levels. As a result of these toxins, scientists are now finding dead zones of life in the areas with oil contamination. If the spill cannot be stopped, then what happens?

"I've never seen concentrations of methane this high anywhere," said Dr. [Samantha] Joye (a senior marine scientist at the University of Georgia), who analyzed samples from a submerged oil plume that she said was 15 miles long, five miles wide and 300 feet thick. "The whole water column has less oxygen than it normally does."

But please note, that some Russian researchers believe that this dead zone may be caused by another oil spill separate and apart from the Deepwater Horizon. This whole situation is beyond crazy and unbelievable at this point.

Their water sampling also revealed an oil plume 142 miles southeast of the damaged well, but their laboratory analysis showed the oil was different chemically from that coming from the well. They didn't indicate what the source could be.

Source: Wall Street Journal

FAA Shuts Down All Air Traffic in Gulf of Mexico Over Deepwater Horizon Under 14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(1)

This information comes from the official FAA page (thanks to Whatreallyhappened.com for the heads up) and is dated as of June 9, 2010. As of that date, no one may fly a plane or other aircraft over the impacted zone in the Gulf of the Mexico. Click the following link for 14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(1), or scroll down to the very bottom of this article.

No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (except as described).

Pursuant to 14 CFR section 91.137(a)(1) temporary flight restrictions are in effect for deepwater horizon/mississippi canyon (mc252) incident cleanup and reconstitution operations an area bounded by: 290500n/0904000w or the leeville /lev/ vortac 258 degree radial at 30.1 NM to 300000n/0890000w or the gulfport /gpt/ vortac 169 degree radial at 24.7 NM to 300000n/0870000w or the crestview /cew/ vortac 196 degree radial at 52.2 NM to 280000n/0870000w or the panama city /pfn/ vortac 208 degree radial at 149.6 NM to 280000n/0904000w or the leeville /lev/ vortac 201 degree radial at 76.3 NM to the point of beginning at and below 3000 feet AGL excluding the airspace outside of 12 nautical miles from the us coastline. This area is also depicted on U.S. Gulf coast VFR aeronautical chart id helgc as an area bounded from south pelto 2/sp02 then to south pass 6/sp06 then to chandler 39/ch39 then to pensacola 984/pe984 then to desoto canyon 635/dc635 to south timbalair 242/st242 and then back to original point. All aircraft operations are prohibited except those flights authorized by ATC, routine flights supporting offshore oil operations; federal, state, local and military flight operations supporting oil spill recovery and reconstitution efforts; and air medical and law enforcement operations.

1. All pilots operating within and near this area including the shoreline should exercise extreme caution due to the numerous low level operations associated with the deepwater horizon/mc-252 incident 3000 feet and below.

2. Aircraft involved in these operations may make sudden changes in direction, speed, and altitude. For additional information, participating aircraft altitude assignments and awareness, all pilots are recommended to review the following web site dedicated to the aviation cleanup efforts at: https://1afnorth.Region1.Ang.Af.Mil/deepwater_spill/default.Aspx

3. The incident commander has directed that aircraft participating in the deepwater horizon/mc252 incident, operate at the altitudes assigned by mission type unless otherwise directed.

4. Oil industry aircraft on routine support missions within the TFR area should not operate below 1500 feet weather permitting until within 2 nautical miles of their landing platform/site and remain on. Their assigned mode 3a code at all times. Flights within the temporary flight restriction area should be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (vmc). In the event instrument meteorological conditions (imc) conditions are encountered, pilot's should attempt to maintain VFR to the maximum extent possible or contact ATC for further instructions or exit the TFR via the safest route.

5. Participating aircraft in the recovery efforts are required to contact houma air operations at 985-493-7607 for assigned work area and mode 3a beacon code assignments. Aircraft shall squawk the assigned mode 3a beacon code at all times while inside the TFR.

6. With the exception of aircraft conducting aerial chemical dispersing operations;no fixed wing aircraft are authorized below 1000 feet above the surface unless for landing and takeoff

7. For additional information on air operations within the deepwater horizon TFR see website: https://1afnorth.Region1.Ang.Af.Mil/deepwater_spill/default.Aspx.

8. Pilots are advised to check notams frequently for possible changes prior to operating in this area.

9. Exceptions: operations not covered by the above authorizations may be permitted on a case-by-case basis dependent upon safety issues, operational requirements, weather conditions, and traffic volume. Flights authorized under this exception must be conducted under visual flight rules. Pilots requesting flights under this exception must contact the houma deepwater horizon incident air operations center at 985-493-7804 between the hours of 0600-1800 cst, a minimum of 24 hours prior to desired flight time. Operators should be prepared to provide precise details of their requested flight including: pilots name and contact information, company/organization, purpose of flight, type aircraft, callsign, ingress/egress points and times, requested altitude and route of flight. Pilots will then be provided with additional instructions for obtaining final approval and beacon code assignment.

10. Any aircraft observing oil while operating in the gulf of mexico should report the location to the oil reporting hotline at 866-557-1401 upon landing. Report should include lat/longs of the oil and time observed.

11. Pilots should be aware that flights approved under this exception are subject to last minute change or cancellation due to the dynamic nature of this event. Houma air operations center at 985-493-7607 is the coordination facility. For information about this NOTAM contact the system operations support center (SOSC) at 202-267-8276

Here is 14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(1):

91.137 - Temporary flight restrictions in the vicinity of disaster/hazard areas.

(a) The Administrator will issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) designating an area within which temporary flight restrictions apply and specifying the hazard or condition requiring their imposition, whenever he determines it is necessary in order to (1) Protect persons and property on the surface or in the air from a hazard associated with an incident on the surface;

Source: FAA

Ocean Currents Likely To Carry BP Oil Spill Along Atlantic Ocean Coast Later This Summer

A detailed computer modeling study released today indicates that oil from the massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico might soon extend along thousands of miles of the Atlantic coast and open ocean as early as this summer. The modeling results are captured in a series of dramatic animations produced by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and collaborators.

Source: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Illinois National Guard to Conduct Simulated Chemical Explosion at Nalco in Chicago on June 17, 2010

Nalco is popping up everywhere these days. If you are just joining the show, check out the backstory of Nalco and its connection to the oil dispersant Corexit that is being sprayed in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

On June 17, 2010, the Illinois National Guard will be conducting a simulated chemical explosion at Nalco's Chicago, Illinois facility. Let's hope that this drill does not go live.

###

ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD JOINT TRAINING EXERCISE IN CHICAGOLAND AREA

Multiple areas of Chicago will be used for a five-day training exercise, some road closures

SPRINGFIELD- More than 50 local, state, federal and private agencies will take part in a major week-long domestic emergency response exercise testing their ability to respond to multiple disasters in the Chicago area.

Illinois Prairie North 2010, which is a part of the Vigilant Guard series, will run from Sunday, June 13, to Thursday, June 17. This joint training exercise is designed to test civilian and military responses and coordination should multiple incidents occur throughout Illinois. It is a full-scale exercise, so residents can expect to see emergency responders looking and acting as if this was a real homeland security/domestic response mission.

This realistic training exercise is necessary to ensure that Illinois is prepared to protect the public from, and mitigate the consequences of, an act of terrorism or other major disaster. All the different agencies are expected to learn valuable lessons on how to best work together if or when a real disaster should befall the area.

“This is what we call ‘training as we fight,’” said Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. “In a real disaster, all of these agencies would play an important role. We owe it to the people of Illinois to learn to work together to respond in the most effective and efficient way possible.”

Illinois National Guard members from throughout the state helped plan the exercise along with their domestic emergency response partners. Three “table-top” exercises were conducted prior to the full-scale exercise.

On Sunday, June 13, the exercise will begin with a simulated commercial airplane crash on its way to Midway Airport. The simulated plane crash will occur in the downtown area of Oak Lawn. There will be multiple local agencies responding to the simulated crash, with debris and mass casualties scattered throughout the area.

Toyota Park in Bridgeview will be the staging area for the Illinois Army and Air National Guard, where they will have their accommodations and park their vehicles starting Monday, June 14. The Salvation Army in Elk Grove Village will be the area command center for the exercise. The area command is where all command-related activities will occur. The Office of Emergency Management of Chicago (OEMC) will be practicing setting up a remote command center at Soldier Field to manage the resources needed to respond to the large-scale event within the Chicago area.

On Tuesday, June 15, there will be a simulated meth lab takedown on Green and York Streets in Bensenville. The Illinois National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, High-Yield Explosives (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) and the 5th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST) will be responding to the call along with multiple local agencies. There will be a suspected dispersion device with traces to a meth lab in the area.

Wednesday, June 16, will involve multiple locations. The Bensenville area will be restricted to only those with approved credentials. Within the area, there will be numerous simulated terrorist attacks to include tactical takedowns of suspected terrorists by the Illinois’ Tactical Response Team, simulated building collapses with trapped victims, high angle and structural collapse rescue, mass decontamination and medical care by the Illinois National Guard CERFP and 5th CST. Another location will be at Rush University Medical Center. Rush medical staff and the Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will receive suspected biological agent patients to decontaminate and medically evaluate.

There will also be a press conference at Rush University Medical Center regarding Homeland Security response at 1 p.m., June 16.

On Wednesday evening the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will have a rail car evacuation swat incident on 15th and Clark Streets in Chicago. Multiple local agencies will be involved in this scenario. Chicago Police Department will be on heightened security as a K-9 unit detects simulated explosives manufactured by a terrorist group on a CTA train. A simulated explosion will cause possible contamination requiring police, search and rescue teams, hazardous materials teams and fire response. This is expected to happen from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday. There will be some road closing during this timeframe.

On Thursday, June 17, there are two situations planned. There will be another takedown situation in the Bensenville area and also a simulated chemical explosion at Nalco in Chicago. Multiple local agencies will be responding to the Bensenville area and the Illinois National Guard’s CERFP and 5th CST will be responding to the Nalco explosion.

Be aware of road closures and detours during these exercise events.

Local, state, federal, private and international agencies involved in the exercise include:

• Illinois National Guard

• U.S Department of Homeland Security

• Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region V Federal Bureau of Investigation National Guard Bureau

  • Joint Interagency Training and Education Center

• Illinois Emergency Management Agency

• Illinois State Police

• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Bio Watch Jurisdictional Coordinator - Chicago

• Statewide Terrorism & Intelligence Center

• State Weapons of Mass Destruction Team

• State of Illinois Terrorism Taskforce (ITTF)

• Michigan National Guard Civil Support Team

• Illinois Emergency Services Management Association Illinois Emergency Medical Response Teams

• Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS)

• Mutual Aid Box Aid System (MABAS)

• State of Illinois Incident Management Teams Illinois Fire Services Institute MCHC/Illinois HELPS

• American Red Cross

• Salvation Army

• City of Chicago:

  • Office of Emergency Management and Communication

  • Chicago Department of Aviation

  • Chicago Police Department

  • Chicago Bomb and Arson Investigation Unit

  • Chicago Fire Department / Hazmat

  • Chicago Transit Authority

• Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Cook County Medical Examiner

• Du Page County Emergency Management

• City of Oak Lawn:

  • Oak Lawn Emergency Management Agency

  • Oak Lawn Police Department

  • Oak Lawn Dispatch Center

  • Oak Lawn Fire

  • Oak Lawn Public Works

• Evergreen Park Fire Department

• North Palos Fire Department

• Chicago Ridge Fire Department

• Hometown Fire Department

• Bridgeview Fire Department

• Burbank Fire Department

• Park Fire Department

• Bedford Park Fire Department

• Region VII, Regional Health Care Coordination Center, Advocate Christ

• Christ Advocate Medical Center

• Rush University Medical Center

• Advocate South Suburban Hospital

• Ingalls, Silver Cross

• Morris Hospital - St James

• Palos Community Hospital

• Provena St. Joes

• Advocate Christ

• Provena St. Mary’s

• Advocate South Suburban

• Metro South, Morris
  

For questions regarding Operation Guard North, please contact the Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil or 217-761-3569. If after hours, please contact the Illinois National Guard Joint Operations Center at 217-761-3941.

MEDIA ADVISORY
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS
ILLINOIS ARMY AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD
1301 North MacArthur Boulevard
Springfield, Illinois 62702-2399

NEWS RELEASE # 060810-109
TEL: (217) 761-3569
DATE: June 8, 2010
FAX: (217) 761-3527
CONTACT: Public Affairs Office
Email:ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

Picture of the Day - Oil Spill Disaster from 1994-95 Illuminati New World Order Card Game

This card is from the 1994-95 card game called Illuminati - New World Order by Steve Jackson Games. Was this game predicting the future?

U.S. Air Force Completes First Ever Homeland Defense Operational Readiness Inspection (Preparing for War in Gulf Region?)

###

Units make history with Air Force's first homeland defense ORI

by Maj. Dale Greer
123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Officer

6/1/2010 - GULFPORT, MISS. (AFNS) -- Three units representing each component of the Air Force made history here May 16 through 23 when they successfully completed the first homeland defense operational readiness inspection.

The ORI, held at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center here, was administered by the Air Mobility Command Inspector General on a trial basis, but it may help pave the way for future inspections, officials said.

"For the very first time, the U.S. Air Force has validated a unit's wartime capability to defend the homeland by fighting an enemy right here on U.S. soil," said Col. Greg Nelson, the commander of the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing, which served as the lead organization for the ORI.

"That represents a major shift in the way Air Force (leaders evaluate) unit readiness, because it puts the focus in our own backyard, rather than a simulated overseas location where these evaluations are usually staged," he said.

The inspection was a total force effort, with the 123rd Airlift Wing representing the Air National Guard; the 317th Airlift Group from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, providing active-duty forces; and the 70th Aerial Port Squadron from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., contributing Air Force Reserve members and equipment.

As with traditional ORIs, this one tested the ability of each unit to mobilize Airmen and equipment, fly to a remote site, operate in a hostile environment, defend against enemy attacks, and redeploy back home, all while AMC inspectors evaluated every phase of the operation.

Unlike traditional ORIs, in this one the participants were tasked with supporting civil authorities while fighting an unconventional foe in the United States. In the past, ORIs have typically required units to deploy to simulated overseas bases and defend against conventional military forces.

"I'm pleased to say that all three units passed this new test with flying colors," Colonel Nelson said. "We are ready to perform our mission of theater airlift anytime, anywhere, whether it be in support of our allies abroad or here at home in defense of the United States of America."

The ORI scenario that played out in Mississippi required more than 300 Kentucky Air Guard members to establish operations in concert with about 175 Airmen from the Texas and Florida units, forming the notional 104th Air Expeditionary Wing.

All three organizations worked seamlessly to launch theater airlift and medical evacuation sorties across the Gulf Coast region, supporting U.S. Northern Command missions and civil authorities, while foiling multiple attacks by well-organized terrorists.

The inspection posed an unusually challenging environment because of extreme weather conditions and several eleventh-hour changes caused by the non-availability of infrastructure, Colonel Nelson said.

"We didn't flinch. We didn't whine. We didn't push back to any challenge, from changes in taskings, to changes in locations, to changes in facilities at the last minute," he said. "(With temperatures hovering near 100 degrees), it also was the hottest ORI the team chief had even seen. But we maintained a great attitude, we operated safely, and we performed our mission with a level of excellence that makes me proud.

"Even more significant, this inspection marked the first time that any Air Force unit has been wartime validated in support of the security and defense of the United States of America. That's huge," Colonel Nelson said.

Col. Dan Dagher, the 317th Airlift Group commander, agreed.

"The 317th (AG), 123rd (AW) and 70th (APS) are ready -- and now tested -- to meet the challenge, reduce human suffering and save lives," he said. "If an attack on the homeland happens, we will be the first responders. Americans can sleep better knowing that the 317th (AG), 123rd (AW) and 70th (APS) can provide defense support to civil authorities in the United States, and that the very survival of thousands of ... Americans rests on our now-tested ability to immediately respond and perform mass-casualty medical evacuations after a chemical attack."

Colonel Nelson said the idea for a homeland defense/homeland security ORI originated at the Kentucky Air Guard, whose leaders asked AMC to consider using the alternate approach because it better reflects the realities of a post-9/11 world in which homeland defense has taken center stage.

"Almost everything that an airlift wing would do in support of a real-world homeland security/homeland defense mission, whether it be response to a terrorist attack on U.S. soil or humanitarian aid following a hurricane, would be in support of a lead civilian agency at the federal, state or local level," Colonel Nelson said. "As a result, the overall command and control aspects are completely different from those of an overseas operation.

"So we took our plan to the IG and said, 'You need to evaluate us on this,'" Colonel Nelson said. "They thought our approach had a lot of merit, and agreed to implement it on a trial basis. A lot of changes were required to make this approach work, but the IG developed new scenarios to test the interoperability of Department of Defense, federal, state and local agencies in defense of the homeland. As a result, our ORI provided a unique opportunity to validate how we provide tactical airlift during an emergency in the United States."

Halliburton Buys Oil Spill Cleanup Company Boots & Coots Inc. Eight (8) Days Before Deepwater Horizon Explosion

Is this acquisition of Boots & Coots Inc. a coincidence considering Halliburton's connection to the Deepwater Horizon rig?

Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL - News) – one of the largest oilfield service providers in the world – has agreed to acquire well-intervention firm Boots & Coots Inc. (AMEX: WEL - News) for about $240.4 million in stock and cash. The transaction, which has been approved by the boards of both the companies but is still subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, is expected to close by summer.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Does Oil Dispersant Corexit® 9527 Cause Genetic Mutations in Microorganisms?

I'm still trying to find a direct link to this citation that appears to indicate that Corexit® 9527 causes mutations in organisms, but I have not been able to access the record from a search. However, the webpage of the cited page resides on the hazard.com website. If someone is able to access this record through a search on the hazard.com, then please comment about how to do it. If I had not seen this link posted elsewhere, then I would have not known that this page existed.

*** CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION ***

RTECS NUMBER : GM2750000
CHEMICAL NAME : Corexit 9527
CAS REGISTRY NUMBER : 60617-06-3
LAST UPDATED : 199710
DATA ITEMS CITED : 2
COMPOUND DESCRIPTOR : Mutagen

*** HEALTH HAZARD DATA ***

** MUTATION DATA **

TYPE OF TEST : Mutation in microorganisms
TEST SYSTEM : Microorganism - not otherwise specified
DOSE/DURATION : 24300 uL/L
REFERENCE :
HEREAY Hereditas (Lund, Sweden). (Gjoerloffsgatan 121, S-261 34 Landskrona,
Sweden) V.1- 1947- Volume(issue)/page/year: 104,317,1986

*** STATUS IN U.S. ***

EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JULY 2000

*** END OF RECORD ***

Using Oil Dispersants on the Sea (1989 Report by Marine Board, National Research Council)

From the NAP description:

While major oil spills are rare, oil slicks can have disastrous environmental and economic consequences. This book summarizes research on the use of chemical dispersants: their effectiveness and limitations and the results of using them in different spill situations. Based on laboratory and field research as well as on actual case histories, this book contains a clear-cut set of recommendations for action, planning, and research. Of special interest is the chapter on the biological effects of oil itself and of oil treated with chemical dispersants.

Source: The National Academies Press

Oil Spill Dispersants: Efficacy and Effects (Book)

From the description listed on the NAP site:

Although significant steps have been taken over the last 15 years to reduce the size and frequency of oil spills, the sheer volume of petroleum consumed in the United States and the complex production and distribution network required to meet the demand make spills of oil and other petroleum products inevitable. Approximately 3 million gallons of oil or refined petroleum products are spilled into U.S. waters every year. Oil dispersants (chemical agents such as surfactants, solvents, and other compounds) are used to reduce the effect of oil spills by changing the chemical and physical properties of the oil. By enhancing the amount of oil that physically mixes into the water, dispersants can reduce the potential that a surface slick will contaminate shoreline habitats. Although called for in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 as a tool for minimizing the impact of oil spills, the use of chemical dispersants has long been controversial. This report reviews the adequacy of existing information and ongoing research regarding the effectiveness of dispersants as an oil spill response technique, as well as the effect of dispersed oil on marine and coastal ecosystems. It includes recommended steps to be taken to better support policymakers faced with making hard choices regarding the use of dispersants as part of spill contingency planning efforts or during actual spills.

Source: The National Academies Press

Are BP & Nalco Poisoning the Gulf of Mexico with Arsenic in Corexit® 9500?

I knew that Corexit® 9500 was toxic, but I just discovered that Corexit® 9500 contains arsenic. No wonder this oil dispersant is so deadly to lifeforms. You can the EPA Product Schedule to get the full data on Corexit® 9500. Unfortunately, some information is confidential.

ANALYSIS FOR HEAVY METALS, CYANIDE, AND CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS
Compound Concentration (ppm)
Arsenic 0.16
Cadmium N/D
Chromium 0.03
Copper 0.10
Lead N/D
Mercury N/D
Nickel N/D
Zinc N/D
Cyanide N/D
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons N/D

Source: EPA

KDFW's Live Video of Gas Well Explosion in Pecan Plantation, Texas.

The live video is over, but click the below link for the story.

Source: KDFW - North Texas Gas Well Explosion

BP's Deepwater Horizon Interim Incident Investigation Washington Briefing (ROV Reports Undocumented Modifications to Hydraulic Control System)

Deepwater Horizon Interm Incident Investigation (Washington Briefing)

Check out page 37 of this document where the undocumented modifications are mentioned. I do not know the source, so until the document is authenticated, please take the document for what it is.

Post the explosion, numerous ROV hot stab interventions were conducted in an attempt to activate

- blind shear rams
- variable pipe rams
- LMRP Disconnect (auto shear cut in attempt to activate blind shear rams)

ROV survey found a number of hydraulic leaks on the system
ROV identified hydraulic system errors such that test rams were being activated instead of lower variable rams
ROV identified undocumented modifications to the hydraulic control system; the extent of these modifications is unknown at this time.

Non-destructive examination using ultra-sonics and gamma source were conducted to try and detect position of rams and locks

-There are indications that the BOP blind shear and variable rams have moved and may be in the locked position, final determination may be possible with the recovery of the BOP.

Source: GodLikeProductions

Cracks Reportedly Appear in China's Three Gorges Dam

I do not even want to think about the damage and destruction if this mega Three Gorges Dam breaks.

In China, cracks are appearing – in the neighbourhood of the massive Three Gorges Dam, the country’s great prestige project, and also in the Great Internet Firewall of China, enabling the ominous news to leak out. Three years ago stories were already emerging in the Chinese media about landslides, ecological deterioration and accumulation of algae further down the river. And less and less effort seems to be made to plug the leaks.

Source: London Telegraph

GE's "Smart" Demand Response Appliances Can Be Remote Controlled Via Utility Company's Central Network

For additional reading, check out Commerce Department: NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Electrical Grid Interoperability Standards Release 1.0 (Draft)

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GE “Smart” Appliances Empower Users to Save Money, Reduce Need for Additional Energy Generation

LG&E, GE and Participants Learning From Smart Meter/Appliances Pilot Program

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Six months into the GE Consumer & Industrial and Louisville Gas & Electric Company (LG&E), pilot program that uses smart meters, smart or demand response appliances, and a tiered-pricing program — results reveal participants are choosing money-saving options. The program tests the use of “smart” appliances to help offset energy costs when higher prices are implemented during peak usage times– generally 3-8 p.m.

“We believe with our Demand Response appliances, GE will help consumers significantly decrease power usage during peak demand periods, which will help the utilities reduce the need for more power generation and help consumers save on their energy bills,” notes Kevin Nolan, Vice President of Technology for GE Consumer & Industrial. “GE can provide consumers a solution that will give them control over their energy usage with little to no disruption to their lifestyles. “

Pilot participants were a select group of GE employees living in the LG&E Louisville market. They were provided with a suite of GE “smart” appliances — or Demand Response appliances — to replace their standard appliances. In most cases, this included a refrigerator, range, microwave, dishwasher and laundry pair. In addition, LG&E installed a programmable HVAC thermostat in the participants’ homes, as well as a “smart” utility meter.

GE’s “smart appliances” receive a signal from the utility company’s smart meter which alerts the appliances, and the participants, when peak electrical usage and rates are in effect. In the pilot program, the signal word “eco” comes up on the display screen. The appliances are programmed to avoid energy usage during that time or operate on a lower wattage; however, participants could choose to override the program.

“We will be conducting pilots like the one in Louisville all over the U.S. because we believe it is highly likely utility companies will offer tiered-pricing structures trying to affect when consumers use energy. Appliances contribute to about 85% of the energy use in a home,“ Nolan said.

Residential energy use continues to increase. Consumers have more electronic devices — including TVs, computers, DVD players, iPods, and cell phone chargers — than ever before. During peak times, consumers are cooking, doing laundry, taking showers, using their computer, or watching TV. Looking to the future, when they come home from work, they may also plug in their hybrid car. Experts agree the growing demand cannot be satisfied without more power generation. However, to lessen the need for more, which is costly to produce and would add more carbon into the environment, we need to learn to use the power we have more wisely.

“This pilot program gives us the opportunity to incorporate our customers’ feedback on how to manage the very critical issue of peak energy demand and supply. Obviously, we want to find solutions that lessen the need for more power generation during peak demand periods and aren’t disruptive to our customers’ lifestyles, “ says Chris Hermann, Senior Vice President, Energy Delivery, LG&E. “We believe we are learning a lot from this pilot about how to accomplish our objectives. This will result in managing our energy better and reducing the need to construct more power generation facilities -- which is better for us, our customers and the environment.”

Test Pilot Participants Speak Out –

While results of energy savings varied among pilot participants and their individual household usage patterns, most liked the control and choice of using their appliances when and how they needed, but they also liked the automatic features that help them save money. Being able to override a delay was key to avoid major lifestyle interruptions.

Martha Callahan says she has become much more aware of when her family uses energy. “I want to save money and energy and am willing to slightly alter my routine to do that,” she explained. She allows her dishwasher to delay start until after 10 p.m. Martha has only overridden the signal once and that was to wash extra silverware for a dinner party.

Dana and Mark Brian have chosen to make lifestyle adjustments. “We try to fix dinner before 6:00 p.m. and we do laundry mainly on weekends,” notes Dana. “It’s helped me get more organized. I now unload the dishwasher first thing in the morning and then fill it throughout the day. After dinner, I set it to run and the smart programming delays it until after 10 p.m.” Mark reports a 20% reduction of total electrical consumption in the months he has participated in the program. “As part of the LG&E pilot, I have an in-home energy monitor. We have it on the kitchen counter and watch it every day. It lets me know the rate I am paying and the instantaneous electrical consumption. Watching that meter has driven behavior changes in my house that have resulted in reduced energy consumption. That explains a portion of the 20% reduction. In addition, I switched several of my light bulbs to CFLs.” While the family’s total energy consumption was down with all of the changes they made during the pilot program, the harsh winter required the family to run a space heater during peak hours, but their energy bill remained about the same. Mark anticipates that, with more temperate weather and continued energy efficiency, he will see a cost reduction.

Dan and Angela Renz have noticed no difference in the way they utilize their microwave oven, range and refrigerator under the program. As with most of the participants, their biggest challenge was avoiding using the dishwasher and laundry pair during peak hours. “We are both committed to this program because we want to save energy.”

“Most pilot program participants liked the control of using their appliances how and when needed and noted little need to change their behavior when using their refrigerators, microwave ovens or ranges. That is understandable,” explains Nolan, “the only noticeable change in using the range is a longer pre-heat time, typically an increase of 5 minutes. For the microwave oven, the wattage used is decreased about 10% during peak hours.

Other examples of savings are:

•The refrigerator delays the defrost cycle from occurring during peak hours and goes into energy saving mode. One participant’s energy efficiency efforts with refrigerator usage over 10 weekdays showed over a 20% reduction of energy usage during peak hours.

• Microwave ovens power down slightly by reducing wattage used when operated during peak hours. Martha Callahan mentioned that her two sons (ages 11 and 13) have had no trouble adjusting to the varying power levels as they heat up snacks.

• The ”smart” dishwasher can delay starting the cycle to off peak times.

• Choosing to delay laundry to off peak time can help consumers meet their own energy efficiency targets. Understandably, interaction with the dishwasher and laundry appliances was noted as the most challenging by the participants.

To view a video about “smart,” demand response appliances, click here.

E.ON U.S. LLC, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a subsidiary of E.ON A.G., the world's largest investor-owned energy services provider. E.ON U.S. is a diversified energy services company that owns and operates Louisville Gas and Electric Company, a regulated utility that serves 314,000 natural gas and 389,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties, and Kentucky Utilities Company, a regulated electric utility in Lexington, Ky., that serves 538,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.

GE Consumer & Industrial spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliances, lighting and integrated industrial equipment, systems and services. Providing solutions for commercial, industrial and residential use in more than 100 countries, GE Consumer & Industrial uses innovative technologies and ecomaginationSM, a GE initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that help customers and consumers meet pressing environmental challenges, to deliver comfort, convenience and electrical protection and control. General Electric (NYSE: GE), imagination at work, sells products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, SmartWater™, Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Entellisys®, Tetra®, Vio™ and Immersion® commercial brands. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com.

# # #

For further information contact:

Contact GE: Contact Us
GE Media Relations:Media Contacts

Kim Jong-il Dismisses Prime Minister & Appoints His Brother-in-Law to National Defence Commission Vice-Chairman

Kim Jong appears to be setting his pieces up for a power transition in North Korea.

North Korea's rubber-stamp parliament appointed leader Kim Jong-il's brother-in-law as vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, possibly making him the second most powerful man in the reclusive country.

Source: DNA India

Could Mystery Crop Damage in Millington, TN Be Caused by Lucite International Chemical Leak on May 25, 2010?

Back on May 25, 2010, there was a chemical leak at the Lucite International plant. I do not know if there is a connection between the leak and the reported crop damage, but the affliction affects all plants and kills baby birds, so the cause is likely to be a chemical as opposed to a disease.

Sulfur trioxide vapors were leaked at the plant. Sulfur trioxide is toxic, and I wonder what effect it has on plants and crops.