-OSHA will hold a public hearing May 19 in Washington, D.C., to discuss its proposed three-year extension of the crane operator certification deadline. The agency is mulling whether or not to move forward with the proposal, which would push the certification deadline to Nov. 10, 2017.
-The owner of the towboat and barge involved in last month’s Galveston Bay oil spill has accused the cargo vessel that struck it of speeding in fog. Via the Houston Chronicle, Houston-based Kirby Inland Marine is seeking $10 million in compensation from Sea Galaxy Marine, owner of the Liberian cargo ship Summer Wind. Kirby said in a federal court filing the Summer Wind failed to take evasive action before it hit the towboat, puncturing a fuel oil tank that spilled into the bay.
-Via the National Journal, the White House has disputed a recent Rolling Stone story that claimed President Obama is planning to deny a permit to build the northern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline. Rolling Stone cited unnamed administration sources in its story, but a White House spokesman said anyone who is in the know is not talking.
-Meanwhile, 78% of registered voters agree that the Keystone XL pipeline is in the national interest, according to a new poll commissioned by API. Sixty percent of Democrats said they would be more likely to support a candidate who supports approving the pipeline.
-The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a plan in which NRG Energy and Chevron Power would swap power plant capacity in California. Via Platts, NRG will get full ownership of a 586-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in Fellows, Calif., and Chevron will own 100% of six cogen facilities with combined capacity of 716 megawatts. Each company currently owns 50% of the facilities.
