Oil spill claims process will likely be long, ugly legal battle
Plains All American Pipeline is taking a page straight out of BP’s oil spill response playbook, according to at least one attorney with firsthand experience in oil spill litigation. Thomas Young, a Tampa-based attorney who went to work trying to secure claims for clients in the aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, told the Read More →
ACA challenging for small employers
By Jim Wisdom The fourth quarter of 2015 promises to be one of the busiest and most challenging quarters in the history of the group health insurance industry. The reason for the change is the next phase of implementation for the Affordable Care Act. Employers who want to stay ahead of this enormous shift will Read More →
Carbon tax right policy for Tri-Counties
By Mike McEachen As a frequent visitor to Refugio Beach, I was saddened by the oil that spewed out of the underground pipeline operated by Plains All American Pipeline and fouled our beach and coastline. My family and friends had to cancel our annual Memorial Weekend Refugio Beach campout that we made reservations for six Read More →
Politicians, officials should take measured approach after oil spill
While the cleanup of the Refugio oil spill is progressing, albeit slowly, the politics of petroleum extraction have overtaken events on the ground. Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson and Assemblymember Das Williams have called for new rules for oil pipeline safety. In Ventura County, Supervisors Steve Bennett and Linda Parks have questioned the future of oil production Read More →
Investors can decide not to put money into companies that damage environment
By Brad Stark and Kieran Osborne The pipeline breakage near Refugio State Beach is not only devastating to our environment and harmful to life on the Central Coast, but it also brings attention to how the oil industry is supported with investment dollars. The public relations battle with fossil fuels has been heating up for Read More →
