Chevron, one of many companies grabbing at Brazil’s huge underwater oil reserves, is in trouble with the Brazilian government after a major spill off the coast of Rio de Janeiro last month. After 3,000 barrels of crude oil from a Chevron-operated well poured into the ocean in November, Brazilian police filed an $11 billion lawsuit against Chevron and rig owner Transocean (the same firm that owned Deepwater Horizon) on charges of negligence and environmental crimes. The National Petroleum Agency has also temporarily banned Chevron from further drilling in Brazil.

An aerial view of the Chevron spill on 11/18/11. Photo credit: Reuters

Federal prosecutors urge for charges to be brought against 17 Chevron and Transocean employees, including Chevron’s president in Brazil George Buck, for withholding information and committing environmental damage. The officer leading the investigation, Fabio Scliar, stated, “I am utterly convinced that the company’s institutional policy is reckless and irresponsible. Therefore, the executives are responsible.” Chevron has apologized but stressed that the allegations are “without merit.”

The outrage in Brazil might be compounded by the fact that the World Cup and Summer Olympics are coming there in 2014 and 2016 so there is pressure for the beaches to look picture perfect. Also, Chevron’s disgusting environmental track record doesn’t inspire confidence. AlterNet, an independent environmental news agency, ranked Chevron the number one worst energy company in the world partly due to their toxic dumping and human rights abuses in Ecuador.

Here are some of the latest headlines regarding water and the environment:

Brazilian Indians take hostages at Amazon dam site: Brazilian native Indians on Sunday took 100 workers hostage at the construction site of a hydroelectric plant which was built on top of an ancient burial site in the southern Amazon region.

Plastiki Completes Epic Plastic Journey: The journey of Plastiki, a 60-foot boat made out of 12,500 recycled plastic bottles came to an end today after travelling from California to Australia. The mission of the voyage was to bring attention to the effect plastic waste is having on the health of the Pacific Ocean.

Plastiki captain David de Rothschild

China water warning as oil spill hits Yellow River: After a pipeline burst in China, officials are trying to contain the damage but traces of oil have already been detected in the water supply that millions depend on.

Officials fear floods, strained reinforcements: More from China- “After more than 700 flooding deaths and some of the season’s worst downpours yet to come, senior officials are warning that the flood reinforcements of thousands of aging reservoirs in the country are strained to their limit.”

Do Cleaning Products Cause Breast Cancer?: A new study links the use of conventional cleaning products with higher risk of breast cancer. Yet another reason to clean green http://www.bluegranola.com/2009/10/31/clean-green/