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LSU working on post-Katrina ‘resiliency index’ Two LSU researchers, using the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, are taking what might be the most comprehensive approach to determine how some coastal communities bounce back from a disaster. The U.S. Minerals Management Service is providing a two-year grant to develop an index of coastal community resilience to help educate policy and decision makers about ways to increase the resilience of weaker areas. “When we look at a particular area, how do we tell which one will be able to bounce back after something like Katrina?” asked Nina Lam, professor and chair of environmental studies at LSU. “You can speculate, but you can never know. But science is built by little bits and pieces of findings. This study will provide some of those answers,” said Lam. Researchers will look at data from 1970–2000 to see trends and consistencies that might have a place in the index, which will include measures of environmental conditions, socio-economic attributes, patterns of political participation and population movement within Louisiana communities. “Right now, we’re focused on Louisiana, but once the index is developed it could easily be applied to any other coastal communities in the world,” Lam said.   LSU Ag researchers recycle oil containers LSU Agricultural Center researchers have figured out a way to combine the plastic containers for motor oil with other plastics and natural fibers to make composite materials that can be used for docks, posts, fences and outdoor furniture. Recycling motor oil containers is costly because the residual oil has to be removed from the bottles before they can be recycled. In the United States, around 150,000 tons of the containers, with as much as 20 million gallons of residual oil, are disposed of each year. Most plastic recycling programs cannot accept the empty motor oil bottles, which can take 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill. The AgCenter research, supported by BP Lube and led by Qinglin Wu, has led to novel composites containing residual motor oil, plant fibers, plastics and blending agents.   BR’s AppOne addresses ID theft rules Baton Rouge-based AppOne, which operates an Internet-based platform linking lenders with independent auto dealers, has developed software allowing its customers to meet federal identity theft requirements. Federal Trade Commission rules require auto dealers and lenders to take measures to combat identity theft under a program commonly known as “Red Flag Rules.” Companies have until Nov. 1 to comply with the requirements, AppOne officials said. AppOne is offering systems that alert businesses to patterns of possible fraud, reconcile financial documents and credit applications to find identity theft red flags, and provide interview tools verifying that the buyer is authentic. Lee Domingue, AppOne’s chief executive, said not having an identity theft program in place could lead to penalties costing thousands of dollars. The AppOne system simplifies the process and addresses identity theft issues before loan documentation is sent to the lender, he said.   Superior Energy sells division for $165 million HARVEY (AP) — Superior Energy Services Inc. said Tuesday that it had agreed to sell 75 percent of its division that handles petroleum properties to Dynamic Offshore LLC for $165 million in cash. Founded in 2003, SPN Resources acquires and produces mature oil and natural gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico. Superior, which provides offshore services to the petroleum industry, said it would retain rights to perform service work on the fields that are being sold.   Cheniere to explore LNG options Cheniere Energy, on the cusp of opening North America’s largest liquefied natural gas terminal, may be in the market to sell the Cameron Parish facility that will have 16.8 billion cubic feet of storage and the ability to send out 4.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily through Sabine Pass pipelines. Cheniere Chairman Charif Souki said the facility, on 853 acres remote from population centers, has 20-year contracts in place for 3 billion cubic feet per day. LNG facilities take natural gas super-cooled and liquefied for greater capacity in oceangoing tankers and convert it back to gas for use in industrial and residential markets. Souki said the company’s current market value doesn’t reflect the true value of its facilities “and we are therefore exploring options to enhance value for our shareholders.” The strategic evaluation option, often language used by companies seeking to sell assets for shareholder gain, is being carried out by Credit Suisse, Cheniere’s financial adviser for the process.   Lamar’s McCoy named Blue Cross chairman Charles Brent McCoy, executive vice president of business development for Lamar Corp., has been elected chairman of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana board of directors. McCoy was elected for his first term on the board in 2004. Prior to joining Lamar, McCoy was president, CEO and chairman of the board of Alliance Bank of Baton Rouge. Policyholders re-elected McCoy to the board along with Dr. Richard Atkins of Baton Rouge; Robert “Bob” Brooks of Baton Rouge; Michael B. Bruno of New Orleans; Frances T. Henry of Baton Rouge; Ann H. Knapp of Lake Charles; Dr. Carl S. Luikart of Baton Rouge; Thad Minaldi of Lake Charles; and Virgil Robinson Jr. of New Orleans. Atkins was elected by the board as vice chairman, and Knapp as secretary. As president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Gery J. Barry is also a member of the Board.   Mesa Energy acquires Poydras of New Orleans Dallas-based Mesa Energy said today it has completed the acquisition of Poydras Energy Partners LLC of New Orleans, a deal that brings it a Louisiana operating company and the Main Pass 35 project, a Plaquemine Parish oil field closed since Hurricane Katrina. Mesa said it can repair and reopen the field within three to four months and tap proved reserves equivalent to 1.6 million barrels of oil. Mesa chief executive Randy Griffin said his company plans more acquisitions of overlooked properties like Main Pass 35.   NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS ECONOMY: Battered by bad economic news, consumer confidence plunged while wholesale food, energy and medicine costs soared, pushing inflation up at the fastest pace in a quarter century. Wholesale inflation jumped by 1 percent in January, more than double the increase that analysts had been expecting. HOME PRICES: A closely watched study shows U.S. home prices falling 8.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007. That marks the largest drop in the index’s 20-year history and a full year of declining values. A separate report finds the number of homes facing foreclosure jumped 57 percent in January compared to a year ago, with lenders increasingly forced to take possession of homes they couldn’t unload at auctions. SIEMENS: The German company will reorganize its corporate telecom unit, a move that will cut 3,800 jobs and transfer another 3,000 jobs to partners or other units. AMERICAN AXLE: Workers at five American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. factories in two states remained on the picket lines after failing to agree on a new contract with the auto parts supplier. SONY-SHARP: Sony and Sharp formed a TV-production partnership, with Sony investing in a Sharp plant to stabilize its supply of liquid crystal display panels, both sides said in a statement. WALL STREET: Stocks fluctuated after two reports showed that core wholesale prices shot up more than expected last month and that consumer confidence is waning. OIL PRICES: Oil prices fell as traders looked ahead to a report showing U.S. crude stocks rising for the seventh week in a row.   EARNINGS REPORTS HOME DEPOT: Fourth-quarter profit fell more than 27 percent and a dour housing market contributed to the first annual sales decline for the world’s largest home improvement store chain. RETAILERS: Target says its profit fell in the fiscal fourth quarter, as sales slowed in the second half of the year overall. Profit at Macy’s edged up, however, as a tax settlement helped offset the impact of weaker-than-expected sales. CBS: The media company reported a 14.6 percent decline in fourth-quarter earnings as revenue slipped, but adjusted earnings still beat analysts’ expectations. H.J. HEINZ: The food producer said its third-quarter profit held virtually steady compared with a year ago as sales growth offset the impact of a higher tax rate. The sales growth reflected increased marketing and higher prices. SIRIUS: The satellite radio operator says a surge in subscriber numbers and lower costs helped narrow its fourth-quarter loss. DISH NETWORK: The satellite TV operator says its fourth-quarter profit climbed 14 percent as it added new subscribers. PUMA: The world’s third-biggest sporting goods and apparel company said fourth-quarter profit rose 17 percent on the back of improved sales.

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