Wednesday, March 9, 2022
The Mining Journal 7A
State / Nation /World
US officials
Biden bans Russian oil, warns
reverse course
of 'Putin price hike' at pump
on pesticide's
WASHINGTON (AP) —
President Joe Biden an-
nounced Tuesday the U.S.
will ban all Russian oil im-
harm to wildlife
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)
— U.S. wildlife officials
ports, toughening the toll on
have reversed their previ-
Russia’s economy in retalia-
ous finding that a widely
tion for its invasion of
used and highly toxic pesti-
Ukraine, but he acknowledged
cide could jeopardize
it will bring costs to Ameri-
dozens of plants and ani-
cans, particularly at the gas
pump.
mals with extinction, after
receiving pledges from
chemical manufacturers
that they will change prod-
uct labels for malathion so
that it's used more carefully
by consumers.
Federal regulations for
malathion have been under
review in response to long-
standing complaints that the
pesticide used to control
mosquitoes, grasshoppers don Caserta and Barry Croft; and bottom row from left, Adam
and other insects also kills Dean Fox and Daniel Harris.The four members of anti-govern-
many protected plants and ment groups are facing trial on federal charges accusing them
The action follows pleas by
Ukrainian
President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy to U.S.
and Western officials to cut
off the imports, which had
been a glaring omission in the
massive sanctions put in place
on Russia over the invasion.
Energy exports have kept a
steady stream of cash flowing
to Russia despite otherwise se-
vere restrictions on its finan-
cial sector.
In the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington on
Tuesday, President Joe Biden announces a ban on Russian oil
imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retalia-
tion for its invasion of Ukraine. (AP photo)
This combination of photos shows, top row from left, Bran-
has created a conflict for the
president between political in-
terests at home and efforts to
impose costs on Russia.
Though Russian oil makes up
only a small part of U.S. im-
ports, Biden has said he was
reluctant to ban it, cutting into
supplies here and pushing
gasoline prices higher.
Inflation is at a 40-year
peak, fueled in large part by
gas prices, and that could hurt
Biden heading into the
November midterm elections.
“Putin’s war is already hurt-
ing American families at the
gas pump,” Biden said,
adding, “I’m going to do ev-
erything I can to minimize
Putin’s price hike here at
home.”
Gas prices have been rising
for weeks due to the conflict
and in anticipation of potential
sanctions on the Russian ener-
gy sector. The average price
for a gallon of gasoline in the
U.S. hit a record $4.17 Tues-
day, rising by 10 cents in one
day, and up 55 cents since last
week, according to auto club
AAA.
Biden said it was under-
standable that prices were ris-
ing, but cautioned the U.S. en-
ergy industry against “exces-
sive price increases” and ex-
ploiting consumers.
data from the U.S. Energy De-
partment shows imports of
Russian crude dropped to ze-
ro in the last week in Febru-
ary.
In 2021, the U.S. imported
roughly 245 million barrels of
crude oil and petroleum prod-
ucts from Russia — a one-
year increase of 24%, accord-
ing to the U.S. Energy Infor-
mation Administration.
“It’s an important step to
show Russia that energy is on
the table,” said Max
Bergmann, a former State De-
partment official who is now
a senior fellow at the Demo-
cratic-leaning Center for
American Progress.
Bergmann said it wasn’t
surprising that the U.S. was
able to take this step before
European nations, which are
more dependent on Russian
energy.
“All of this is being done in
coordination, even if the steps
are not symmetrical,” he said.
“We are talking to them con-
stantly.”
The news of Biden’s deci-
sion Tuesday was first report-
ed by Bloomberg.
The White House an-
nouncement comes amid bi-
partisan pressure on Capitol
Hill to ban Russian energy
and impose other economic
costs. Last week, House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave a
big boost when she declared,
“Ban it.”
“We will not be part of sub-
sidizing Putin’s war,” Biden
declared, calling the new ac-
animals.
in a plot to abduct Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whit-
The U.S. Fish and mer in 2020. (Kent County Sheriff, Delaware Department of
Wildlife Service deter- Justice via AP File)
mined in a draft finding last
April that malathion could
threaten the continued exis-
tion
a “powerful blow”
against Russia’s ability to
fund the ongoing offensive.
He warned that Americans
will see rising prices, saying,
“Defending freedom is going
to cost.”
Jury selection starts in
Michigan governor kidnap plot
tence of 78 imperiled
species and cause lesser
harm to many more.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. conflicts, including a nurse
Wildlife officials reversed
(AP) — With secret record- who worked throughout the
their position on the 78
Biden said the U.S. was act-
ing in close consultation with
European allies, who are more
dependent on Russian energy
supplies and who he acknowl-
edged may not be able to join
in immediately. The an-
nouncement marked the latest
Biden attempt at cutting off
Russia from much of the glob-
al economy and ensuring that
the Ukraine invasion is a
strategic loss President
Vladimir Putin, even if he
manages to seize territory.
“Ukraine will never be a
victory for Putin,” Biden said.
The European Union this
week will commit to phasing
out its reliance on Russia for
energy needs as soon as possi-
ble, but filling the void with-
out crippling EU economies
will likely take some time.
The U.K., which is no longer
part of the EU, announced
Tuesday that oil and oil prod-
ucts from Russia will be
phased out by the end of the
year. Unlike the US, which is
a major oil and gas producer,
Europe relies on imports for
90% of its gas and 97% of its
oil products. Russia supplies
40% of Europe’s gas and a
quarter of its oil. The U.S.
does not import Russian natu-
ral gas.
ings and other evidence, pros- pandemic. The woman said
species in a Feb. 28 biolog-
ecutors are pledging to show she finally has a trip planned
ical opinion following talks
how four men were united be- and “I really want to go on va-
between malathion manu-
hind a wild plot to kidnap cation.” A man who said he
facturers, officials from the
wildlife service and the En-
Michigan’s governor in re- has followed news coverage
sponse to her aggressive steps of the case intensely was let go
to slow down COVID-19 dur- after saying, “I think they’re
ing the early months of the guilty.”
vironmental
Protection
Agency, according to docu-
ments reviewed by The As-
sociated Press in advance of
their public release.
Wildlife service officials
now say malathion could
cause limited harm to hun-
dreds of species, but is un-
likely to jeopardize any of
them with extinction as
long as labels that dictate its
use are changed.
Their conclusion depends
on farmers, gardeners and
other consumers abiding by
the instructions on where
and when to use the pesti-
cide.
But environmentalists
who wanted more restric-
tions imposed expressed
doubt that the government's
collaboration with chemical
companies would lead to
meaningful changes.
pandemic.
In 2020, Whitmer was trad-
Jury selection began Tues- ing taunts with then-President
day for a trial that could last Donald Trump over his ad-
more than a month in federal ministration’s response to
court in western Michigan, COVID-19. Her critics, mean-
with U.S. District Court Judge while, were regularly protest-
Robert Jonker telling prospec- ing at the Michigan Capitol,
tive jurors: “This isn’t your av- clogging streets around the
erage criminal case” because statehouse and legally carry-
of the extraordinary allega- ing semi-automatic rifles into
tions of a plot against an elect- the building.
ed official.
During that turbulent time,
Jonker emphasized that when stay-home orders were
prospective jurors must put in place and the economy was
aside any personal feelings restricted, Adam Fox, Bran-
about politics, Gov. Gretchen don Caserta, Barry Croft Jr.
Whitmer and her administra- and Daniel Harris were com-
tion’s response to COVID-19 ing up with a plot to snatch
to fairly hear the case, or they Whitmer, prosecutors say.
Even before the U.S. ban
many Western energy compa-
nies including ExxonMobil
and BP moved to cut ties with
the Russia and limit imports.
Shell, which purchased a ship-
ment of Russian oil this week-
end, apologized for the move
on Tuesday amid internation-
al criticism and pledged to halt
further purchases of Russian
energy supplies. Preliminary
cannot serve. Two men were
They’re accused of taking
dismissed after the judge’s critical steps over several
questions revealed a dislike of months, including secret mes-
the Democratic governor, with saging, gun drills in the woods
one man saying, “I would and a night drive to northern
On Monday, Democrats on
the powerful Ways & Means
Committee posted, then re-
moved, an announcement on
a bipartisan bill to ban Russian
oil imports and slap further
trade sanctions on the country,
according to an aide.
They also objected to an
18-month timeline for the
EPA to approve new
probably be pretty biased.”
Michigan to scout her second
A few other people were dis- home and figure out how to
missed due to job or home blow up a bridge.
malathion
application
guidelines, saying there's no
reason for any further de-
lay.
Marquette County Transit Authority has
immediate openings for:
Part Time and On Call Drivers
& Dispatchers
The issue of oil sanctions
RESOLVE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES
WALK-IN JOB FAIR!
Minimum Employment Qualifications:
High School diploma or equivalent
and five years as a licensed driver.
Extensive CDL training provided
Applicants must pass a US DOT
physical and drug screening exam.
Hourly wage: $17.59
Event date: Saturday, March 12th
Time: 9am until Noon
Join Us At:
375 River Park Circle, Marquette
Learn more about us and our current
opportunities at
Apply in person at:
Marquette County Transit Authority
1325 Commerce Drive
Please bring copies of your resume and be
prepared for an action-oriented interview for
current and future opportunities.
EOE
Marquette, Mi 49855
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Economic Stability Administration
Rules for Family Independence Program and State Disability Assistance
Rule Sets 2021-87 and 2021-88 HS
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will hold a public hearing to receive public comments
on the proposed rules entitled “Family Independence Program” and “State Disability Assistance”.
Department of Health and Human Services
Grand Tower Building
235 South Grand Avenue-First Floor-Room 1A
Lansing, MI 48933
Family Independence Program Rules
Tuesday, March 22, 2022-9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
State Disability Assistance Rules
Tuesday, March 22, 2022-1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Email: MDHHS-AdminRules@michigan.gov
The purpose of these rules is to set guidance for DHHS on how to process and determine eligibility for the
Family Independence and State Disability Assistance programs. DHHS seeks to amend the current rules
to add telephone interview, in addition to in-person interview, for application review. These rules seek to
improve client service by allowing a telephone interview in the event of the recipient having medical issues,
transportation issues, child care issues, or having to take leave from his or her employment in order to
complete the application process.
By authority conferred on the Department of Health and Human Services by section 6 of the Social Welfare
Act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.6. The rules (Rule Set 2021-87 and 2021-88 HS) are published on the Michigan
issue. Copies of the draft rules may also be obtained by mail or electronic transmission at the following
address:
Department of Health and Human Services
Attn: MDHHS-AdminRules@michigan.gov
MDHHS South Grand Building
333 South Grand Avenue, 5th Floor
Lansing, MI 48909
Telephone: 517-242-9634
Comments on the rules may be made in person at the hearing or by mail or electronic mail until Friday, March
25, 2022. The public hearing will be conducted in compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities
Act. Anyone needing assistance to take part in the hearing due to disability may call 269-337-3744 to make
arrangements.