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.  
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