Friday, February 3, 2012

News Clippings 2/2/12

Oil Spill

Fishermen testing the waters of new post-spill careers
Sun Herald
By NICOLE DOW

GULFPORT -- Vietnamese fishermen facing employment woes after the BP oil
spill are learning new trades, thanks to Asian Americans for Change,
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and a grant from the Mississippi
Department of Employment Security.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/01/v-print/3725786/fishermen-testing-the-waters-of.html


State News


Second Gulf of Mexico dead zone stretches from Louisiana to Alabama


Published: Wednesday, February 01, 2012, 4:14 PM Updated: Wednesday,
February 01, 2012, 6:43 PM


By The Associated Press


NEW ORLEANS — A new study finds that Louisiana's second Gulf of Mexico dead
zone stretches at least from the Chandeleur Sound off Louisiana to
Alabama's Dauphin Island — and could be bigger.

http://blog.al.com/wire/2012/02/second_gulf_of_mexico_dead_zon.html


Recycling comes to complex
Madison County Herald


By Terricha Bradley-Phillips



When Keller White moved into the Pear Orchard Apartments last year, she was
disappointed there was no recycling available.

http://www.mcherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120202/NEWS/202020307/-1/NEWS01/Recycling-comes-to-complex



New glass recycling drop-off on Palmyra St.

Clarion Ledger


The city of Jackson's curbside recycling program will take care of most
household recycling needs — unless you buy a lot of glass bottles.

http://blogs.clarionledger.com/citybeat/2012/02/01/new-glass-recycling-drop-off-on-palmyra-st/


Aluminum cans underpin mission work
by Lena Mitchell
NEMS Daily Journal
01.30.12 - 06:05 am

RIPLEY - "Father Pete" is a familiar face around Ripley, coming as he does
two Sundays a month from his home in Pontotoc to lead Spanish and English
church services.
http://tippah360.com/view/full_story/17335054/article-Aluminum-cans-underpin-mission-work?instance=secondary_stories_left_column


Mississippi Development Authority receives 185 comments on offshore seismic
surveying, leasing


Published: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 7:05 AM

By Harlan Kirgan, Mississippi Press




PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The deadline for commenting on offshore seismic
surveying and leasing rules ended Tuesday with 185 responses to the
Mississippi Development Authority, said spokesman Dan Turner.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/02/mississippi_development_author_2.html


Governor will head effort to harvest offshore energy

Op-Ed Charlie Mitchell


OXFORD — Mississippi can catapult out of the doldrums, Gov. Phil Bryant
says.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120202/OPINION/202020305/Governor-will-head-effort-harvest-offshore-energy?odyssey=mod|
newswell|text|Opinion|p


Multi-state earthquake drill to be held Feb. 7

AP

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security wants Hoosiers to take part in
an earthquake drill that will be conducted throughout the central United
States on the 200th anniversary of the 1812 New Madrid earthquakes.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/02/v-print/3726302/multi-state-earthquake-drill-to.html


Chancellor named Jones Co. EMA director

AP

Lance Chancellor has been named the new executive director of the Jones
County Emergency Management Agency.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/02/v-print/3726093/chancellor-named-jones-co-ema.html



Entergy Nuclear applying for license renewal for Grand Gulf


Mississippi Business Journal


Published: February 2,2012


PORT GIBSON — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has opened a public
comment period on Grand Gulf Nuclear Station's license to operate for
another 20 years.

http://msbusiness.com/2012/02/entergy-nuclear-applying-for-license-renewal-for-grand-gulf/


National News


EPA stands by 'fracking' study but calls reach limited

The Hill
By Ben Geman - 02/01/12 03:27 PM ET

The Environmental Protection Agency is holding firm against critics of its
explosive draft report that concluded hydraulic fracturing, the
controversial gas-drilling method, probably caused groundwater
contamination in Wyoming.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/208061-epa-stands-by-fracking-study-but-calls-reach-limited



House Republicans ask White House to kill climate rule

The Hill
By Ben Geman - 02/02/12 06:52 AM ET

House Republicans who have spent a year pushing bills to thwart or delay
Environmental Protection Agency greenhouse gas rules are trying a new
tactic: Simply asking the White House to scuttle them.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/208189-house-republicans-ask-white-house-to-kill-climate-rule



EPA Misses Deadline on Dioxin Guidelines

Wall Street Journal


By BILL TOMSON


WASHINGTON—The Environmental Protection Agency missed a deadline to release
federal guidelines on the dangers of excess dioxin chemicals in the food
supply and environment, giving ammunition to critics that hope the agency
will change course.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204740904577197513752564248.html?mod=googlenews_wsj


Press Releases


EPA To Provide Nearly $10 Million to Clean Up Beaches Across the Nation


The agency launches improved website for beach advisories and closures


WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced
that it will provide $9.8 million in grants to 38 states, territories and
tribes to help protect the health of swimmers at America's beaches. The
agency also launched an improved website for beach advisories and closings,
which will allow the public to more quickly and easily access the most
current water quality and pollution testing information for more than 6,000
U.S. beaches.


The website, called BEACON, has the capability to update as frequently as
every two hours based on new data provided by states, territories and
tribes. Users will have access to mapped location data for beaches and
water monitoring stations, monitoring results for various pollutants such
as bacteria and algae, and data on public notification of beach water
quality advisories and closures. For the first time, users can also access
reports that combine notifications and water quality monitoring data. The
enhanced system also uses enhanced map navigation and report display tools.


The majority of beach advisories and closures in the United States are due
to water test results indicating bacterial contamination, which can make
people sick. Bacterial contamination comes from a variety of sources. Some
examples are sewer overflows, untreated stormwater runoff, boating wastes,
wildlife and pet waste, and malfunctioning septic systems.


During each swimming season, state and local health and environmental
protection agencies monitor the quality of water at the nation's beaches.
When bacteria levels in the water are too high, these agencies notify the
public by posting beach warnings or closing the beach.


The grants will help local authorities monitor beach water quality and
notify the public of conditions that may be unsafe for swimming.


This is the 12th year that EPA is providing beach grant funds, bringing the
total amount EPA has made available to nearly $111 million. As a result,
the number of monitored beaches has more than tripled to


more than 3,600 in 2010. Grant applications must be received within 60 days
of publication of EPA's notice in the Federal Register. EPA expects to
award the grants later this year.


View EPA's enhanced beach advisory and closing information:
http://watersgeo.epa.gov/BEACON2/< BEACON2 watersgeo.epa.gov>>


More information on the grants:
http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/beachgrants/index.cfm>