Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (D) has agreed to postpone New Orleans’s February 4, 2006 elections for mayor and City Council for up to eight months because of the damage from Hurricane Katrina. It is estimated that holding the city elections September 30, 2006 will save $3 million because the state will vote that day on two constitutional amendments. The New Standard”Signs of Environmental Hazards Dampen Katrina Homecoming”By Michelle ChinWeather, Environment, Race and RecoveryDoes it matter that the catastrophe facing New Orleans includes the fact that the city’s majority population was 67 percent African American. Probably not. But the delay in providing food and water to blacks stranded at the Superdome and the highway overpass gave the impression that the American power structure for managing catastrophes was ignoring them because they were black. Come to find out, it was Louisiana Governor Blanco’s refusal to authorize the federal government to take control that delayed the response of the federal government in providing food, water, security and evacuation to poor stranded blacks at the Superdome and at the Convention Center in New Orleans in the first days after the Hurricane Katrina crisis.Hurricane Katrina is the most devastating weather event in the history of the country. It has turned a city with a rich cultural history and a top tourist attraction into a vast cesspool contaminated with toxic chemicals and human waste. Experts have warned for years that the levees and pumps that usually keep New Orleans dry have no chance against a Category 5 storm. Katrina reached Category 5 level Sunday before weakening just slightly to a strong Category 4 storm early Monday. But with top winds of 150 mph and the power to lift sea level by as much as 28 feet above normal, the storm threatened an environmental disaster of biblical proportions, one that would leave more than 1 million people homeless.New Orleans was also a poor city:Twenty-eight percent of the population lived below the poverty line.Well over half were renters, andThe median value of homes occupied by owners was only $87,000.There is now a question as to whether the poorest and blackest part of black New Orleans, the Lower Ninth Ward, should be rebuilt to accomodate poor blacks. The ward of about 20,000 people with more than one-third of residents living below the poverty line, according to the 2000 Census, was destroyed 40 years ago by Hurricane Betsy and was rebuilt to house poor blacks. The ward was composed of maids, bellhops, busboys, retirees, carpenters, sculptors, musicians and other blue collar workers. Approximately half of the houses were rentals. The clean up of the toxic area will be very expensive. Levee protection will also be expensive. Will such expensive remediation and mitigation lead to the construction of low-income or high-income housing? Many other environmental and economic issues will also influence redevelopment along the entire Gulf Coast.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given a fuel air standards waiver to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, which will allow fuel suppliers to sell gasoline that has a higher Reid Vapor Pressure and diesel that has higher sulfur content than normally allowed. The waiver will allow refiners to supply gasoline meeting a Reid Vapor Pressure standard of 9.0 and diesel with sulfur content higher than 500 parts per million until Sept. 15, 2005EPA UpdatesEPA Informational Handouts LinkUpdate 1Update 2Update 3Update 4Update 5Update 6Update7Update 8Updates 9 & 10Update 11Update 13Update 14Although it is still being debated, some believe the heightened activity and growing intensity of hurricanes are due to global warming. The theory is that global warming is causing ocean temperatures to rise and is causing more hurricanes during hurricane season. Warm water temperature fuels hurricanes. A recent paper published in the journal Nature by meteorologist Kerry Emanuel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology concluded that the destructive power of hurricanes had increased 50% over the last half a century, and that a rise in surface temperatures linked to global warming was at least partly responsible. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hurricane activity in the Atlantic has been higher than normal in nine of the last 11 years. NOAA is forecasting as many as 11 hurricanes and five to seven that would reach major-hurricane status for 2005, which could make 2005 one of the most violent hurricane seasons ever recorded. A typical storm year in the Atlantic results in six hurricanesGasoline prices nationwide were rising before Hurricane Katrina due to tight supplies worldwide. Wholesale gasoline prices soared above $3 a gallon in the Gulf Coast region. The national average pump price is around $2.60 a gallon. Katrina shut down nine refineries, closed major fuel pipelines and cut nearly all offshore oil production. Prices will probably continue to rise in the coming months before dropping back to normal levels.After the hurricane passed, the breaks in the levees and sea walls made 80 percent of New Orleans uninhabitable. The breaks on Tuesday after the Monday storm exacerbated evacuation and rescue efforts. It also ran thousands of people out of their homes and will ultimately be responsible for most of the deaths in New Orlenas.Bush Clinton Katrina FundHurricane KatrinaBusinessThe Open for Business section on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website is posting information for Katrina-related contracting: www.dhs.gov/openforbusiness There is also a section of FEMA’s website called “Doing Business with FEMA”: http://www.fema.gov/ofm/ch3.shtmTwo other possible suggestions DOC might make to those that ask that don’t have to do with contracting but may be of interest:Private companies can go to www.nerr.gov. This is the National Emergency Response Registry where they can register their organization as one that wants to help out in the recovery.Private companies can also go to the DOL site which connects employers with potential employees:http://www.indeed.com/q-Hurricane-Katrina-jobs.htmlLooking for FEMA ContractsWhen there are occasions that FEMA is not sole sourcing and giving out no-bid contracts, the Homeland Security Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will serve as liaison to FEMA. Vendors looking to provide products or services to support the disaster relief effort should provide Company Name, Business Address, Point-of-Contact (phone/fax/email) and Type of Service or Product Offered. This info should be forwarded to the following applicable personnel:Mobile homes, travel trailers, park models, trucks, computers, software – Wendy.Hill@dhs.gov;Geographical Information Systems (GIS) support and/or services, telecom services and supplies – Angela.Williams1@dhs.gov;Temporary help services, laptop computers, printers, global positioning system (GPS) devices, plotters, information technology items, software maintenance, plastic sheeting – Kyle.Groome@dhs.gov;Pre-packaged meals, generators, shower units, baby food, diapers, vehicles, portable bathrooms, rental equipment – Ilene.Waggoner@dhs.gov;Pharmaceutical supplies, medicine, forklifts, veterinary vans, tents, mobile hospitals, office supplies, cots, fingerprinting machines, badges, laptop computers – Joe.Capuano@dhs.gov;Tarps, FEMA clothing, mortuary trailers, satellite time, body recovery, consulting services – MaryEllen.Dorsey@dhs.gov. $1 Billion Thrown into the Lap: Environmental Chemical Corp., a privately held Burlingame, CAcompany has been anointed a two year contract for the Katrina cleanup. Firms wishing to compete (they didn’t) for subcontracts with this engineering firm should contact their website at www.ecc.net. Emergency Telephone Numbers and WebsitesISSUE TELEPHONE / WEBSITE Check on Missing Loved Ones http://www.katrinapeoplesearch.com/ 866-438-4636 (866-Get Info) Coast Guard (for people trapped) http://homeport.uscg.mil/ 800-323-7233Disaster Information and Guidance www.fema.gov/; www.opm.gov/guidance/ 800-621-3362 (621-FEMA)SBA Disaster Loan Info rmation www.sba.gov/disaster/EPA http://www.epa.gov/katrina/For Displaced Public Housing Residents and Section 8 Voucher HoldersHUD’s Housing Resource Information Center 1-800-955-2232State-Specific Information:Louisiana Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (New Orleans Director of Homeland Security-Col. Terry Ebbert) www.gohsep.la.gov/Mississippi Emergency Management http://www.msema.org/Alabama Emergency Management Agency http://ema.alabama.gov/For Information on Volunteering:National & Community Service http://www.serve.gov/http://www.trac4la.com . VOLUNTEERS Matching your skills with Louisiana’s needs.To Donate Money:FEMA’s Donations Hotline 1-800-440-6728USA Freedom Corps www.usafreedomcorps.govThe USA Freedom Corps site includes information on the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund (www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org), state relief funds (www.louisiana.gov; www.servealabama.gov), and the network of humanitarian organizations helping with the relief effort (http://www.networkforgood.org).To Donate Goods or Services:National Emergency Resource Registry www.swern.govInformation on Health Risks: General Concerns www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.aspFor relief workers www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/workers.aspTHE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary__________________________________________________________________________For Immediate Release August 31, 2005 Federal Relief For The Victims Of Hurricane KatrinaToday’s Presidential ActionThe President Is Directing Federal Agencies Throughout The Government To Do All In Their Power To Assist The Victims Of Hurricane Katrina. The top priority is to save and sustain lives. Today, President Bush convened a Cabinet-level task force on Hurricane Katrina response and recovery. Residents of the Gulf Coast states affected by the hurricane have lost loved ones, lost homes, and been displaced from their communities, and they will have the full support of the Federal government.ØThe President Has Given The Department Of Homeland Security (DHS) Authority To Coordinate The Response. The President announced that Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff will chair the interagency task force while Michael Brown, DHS Undersecretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, is serving as the Administration’s lead on the ground.ØThe President Has Called For The Coordination Of All Parties Involved In The Response And Relief Efforts. Federal, state, and local governments are working side-by-side to deliver relief to the areas physically damaged by Hurricane Katrina and to communities across the South that will be affected in the aftermath of the storm. Efforts and resources are focused on saving lives, sustaining lives, and supporting long-term recovery. ØThe President Has Called On All Americans To Support The Relief And Rescue Efforts Through Charitable Contributions And Aid. Americans who wish to contribute can do so by contacting charities that are assisting with hurricane relief. For example, citizens can call the Red Cross at 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669) or make an online contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund at www.redcross.org. Task Force ResponseØOn Tuesday, Secretary Of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff Activated The National Response Plan To Ensure That Help Gets To Those Most In Need. The National Response Plan (NRP) fully mobilizes the resources of the entire federal government to support response and recovery efforts for state and local authorities – particularly in the event of a catastrophic incident. Secretary Chertoff has declared the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina an incident of national significance – the first-ever use of this designation.FEMA Is Moving Resources And Supplies Into The Hardest Hit Areas As Quickly As Possible. To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed more than 50 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, more than 25 Urban Search and Rescue task forces, eight swift water rescue teams, and two Incident Support Teams. FEMA is also working to deliver water, ice, meals, medical supplies, generators, tents, and tarps. There are currently more than 1,700 trucks which have been mobilized to move these supplies into position.FEMA And The Army Corps of Engineers Are Working With Louisiana Officials To Repair The Breaches In The Levees To Stop The Flooding In New Orleans.ØThe Federal Government Is Working To Help Relocate Those Displaced By The Hurricane. Those in New Orleans who were taking shelter in the Superdome are being moved to the Astrodome in Houston, and FEMA is working to provide tents and shelter. In addition, the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services (HHS) are working with local communities to provide help to those who have been displaced from their homes.ØThis Morning, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman Announced That The Strategic Petroleum Reserve Will Be Used To Help Fulfill Demand For Oil. Refineries that are short on supplies of crude oil will have access to supplies from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help avert a disruption in the supply of gasoline to drivers and businesses across the country.ØThe Energy Department Is Working To Restore Electricity To Affected Areas. The Energy Department has deployed personnel and is working with local power companies, local authorities, and state authorities to help get electricity functioning. The Energy Department is also taking steps to ensure the repair and continuity of oil and gas pipelines that may have been affected by power outages.ØEPA Has Issued Fuel Waivers To Expedite Relief and Recovery. EPA has issued temporary waivers to make additional supplies of gasoline and diesel fuel available in those areas of the country with shortages of specific fuel blends required under the Clean Air Act.ØThe Department Of Defense Is Moving Military Resources Into The Gulf States To Aid In Rescue And Recovery. Eight Navy ships have moved into the area with water, food, medicine, hospital facilities, berthing, and more. DOD has responded to all FEMA requests and is providing logistical help, including helicopters, activation of air stations in strategic areas, and strategic lift support.ØThe United States Coast Guard Is Conducting Search And Rescue. The Coast Guard has rescued and assisted thousands of people in the affected areas, and its efforts will continue until all those at risk are safe.ØHealth And Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt Has Declared A Public Health Emergency, Which Facilitates Provision Of Medical Services In The Affected Region. HHS has delivered requested medical supplies to Louisiana, including basic first aid materials, blankets and patient clothing, suture kits, sterile gloves, stethoscopes, blood pressure measuring kits, and portable oxygen tanks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to address the risk of disease caused by Hurricane Katrina. HHS has placed 415 Public Health Service Officers on stand-by for deployment to support medical response in the affected states. HHS and CDC are working with local officials to identify hospital facilities, distribute medical supplies, and execute a public health plan to control disease and other risks to public health.According to biased media: Black People “Loot,” White People “Find”