July 10, 2010 - The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University hosted a meeting with Health & Human Services Secretary Kathy Sebelius to discuss solutions to challenges faced by BP oil spill workers, Louisiana fishers, community leaders, and local government officials impacted by the BP oil disaster. Secretary Sebelius was joined by HHS officials Dr. James Galloway, health liaison to the National Incident Command, Dr. Eric Broderick, Deputy Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and Louisiana Congressman Joseph Cao.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster which can seriously damage the economy and environment of our Gulf states and could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of Americans who live throughout the Gulf region. From the beginning, the President has been clear that the Administration will not rest until this leak is contained and cleaned up and that we will aggressively pursue full compensation for damages from BP and other responsible parties. That is why the President today sent Congress a legislative package that will: enable the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill response to continue expeditiously, speed assistance to people affected by this spill, and strengthen and update the oil spill liability system to better address catastrophic events. While we are asking for additional funds in some cases, the federal government will not relent in pursuing full compensation from the responsible parties for the expenses it has incurred and for the damage caused by the spill. We will do everything in our power to protect our natural resources, rebuild what has been damaged, and help the Gulf region to persevere as it has done so many times before.
June 3, 2010 – SINO-American International Research Forum – Guilin, China
June 26, 2010 – 8th Annual Health Disparities Summer Workshop – Houston, Texas - (713) 563-0962
February 2, 2011 - Lorwin Lecture Series on Women in a Global Frame - University of Oregon
EPA collects air and water samples
New Orleans - At a Dillard University Deep South Center for Environmental Justice meeting Friday, an EPA representative told a group of New Orleans residents dispersants, like the oil they are used to break-down, can have a detrimental impact on the environment.
The EPA said it's been in oil response mode since the Deepwater Horizon mobile offshore drilling unit sunk, testing for oil and other contaminants. The agency is using all-wireless mobile laboratories to collect air samples without even having to stop the vehicle.
Water samples are also being collected, along the coast. The EPA said with the mobile command centers that data is uploaded faster than ever.
"It used to be our folks go in the field, work all day, collect data go back to a hotel somewhere and try to find a way to upload it.. everybody complained that it took us weeks," said Samuel Coleman with the EPA's Region 6.
The EPA said it's deployed two mobile laboratories to Venice, one to Robert, LA where the joint information command is stationed, and one to Poydras, in St. Bernard Parish.
Sustainable Energy and Environmental Task Force Co-Chairs Elizabeth Galante, Global Green and Dr. Beverly Wright, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University presented final recommendations to Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu at the One Voice, One Mission Transition New Orleans Meeting on Thursday, April 22, 2010. The following recommendations were crafted by the 30 member Sustainable Task Force.
