Oil Spill
Gulf Coast RESTORE Act Consortium Approved
WMBB
Bay County, Fla. -
Commissioners across the Gulf Coast reached a significant milestone when
they created the Gulf Coast Consortium. The consortium is a public agency
that will act in the interest of the counties once the BP fines start
flowing, but what's holding them back is the disbursement of funds.
http://www.wmbb.com/story/19629081/gulf-coast-restore-act-consortium-approved
Reef research center to help unlock, preserve sea treasures
By Ariel Barkhurst
Sun Sentinel
In a $50 million five-story brick and glass building in John U. Lloyd Beach
State Park, researchers are taking the biomass of crustaceans to help study
the effects of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, cultivating asexual staghorn
coral and sequencing the genomes of sponges.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-nsu-reef-research-center-20120920-15,0,2575442.story
State News
Joe's Bayou closed because of sewerage spill
By SUN HERALD
The state Department of Environmental Quality issued a temporary water
contact advisory Monday for Joe's Bayou
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/09/24/4205603/joes-bayou-closed-because-of-sewerage.html
Ingalls Shipbuilding pays $33,775 for portable toilet that emptied
untreated wastewater into Pascagoula River
Monday, September 24, 2012, 3:29 PM
By The Associated Press
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Ingalls Shipbuilding has paid a $33,775 fine
after a portable toilet dumped untreated waste into the East Pascagoula
River for more than six years.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/09/ingalls_shipbuilding_pays_3377.html
Homeowners protest expansion of Hinds Co. landfill
WLBT
A group of homeowners who live south of Clinton are protesting the proposed
expansion of a landfill in Hinds County.
http://www.wlbt.com/story/19628244/homeowners-protest-expansion-of-hinds-co-landfill
City seeks comments on grant application
Hattiesburg American
The city of Hattiesburg is soliciting comments from residents through Oct.
16 concerning its bid for an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2013
grant.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20120925/NEWS01/209250311/City-seeks-comments-grant-application
Beach cleanup, damage assessment continues in Ocean Springs, Pascagoula
Monday, September 24, 2012, 3:50 PM
By Kaija Wilkinson
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Jackson County crews began post-Hurricane Isaac
cleanup of Pascagoula Beach this morning and should be finished by Tuesday,
according to county roads manager Joe O'Neal.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/09/back_to_the_beach_jackson_coun.html
What comes down must be picked up: City, county storm cleanup under way
Natchez Democrat
Published 12:02amTuesday, September 25, 2012
NATCHEZ — Nearly a month after Tropical Storm Isaac crawled through the
Miss-Lou, cleanup of
storm debris is not yet done.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2012/09/25/what-comes-down-must-be-picked-up-city-county-storm-cleanup-under-way/
Experimental Project to Rebuild Biloxi Dunes Expanding
MPB
PUBLISHED BY RHONDA MILLER ON 24 SEP 2012 11:37PM
Scientists at Mississippi State University say the dunes they're rebuilding
on a Biloxi beach survived the test of Hurricane Isaac. MPB's Rhonda Miller
reports the beach experiment uses a simple and inexpensive way to stop
coastal erosion.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/experimental_project_to_rebuild_biloxi_dunes_expanding
Drug Take Back Day is Saturday
Hattiesburg American
The Hattiesburg Police Department is collaborating with the Drug
Enforcement Agency in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Program.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20120925/NEWS01/209250315/Drug-Take-Back-Day-Saturday
Gov. Phil Bryant named chairman of Regional Energy Board
Monday, September 24, 2012, 4:41 PM
By Mississippi Press Staff
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma -- Gov. Phil Bryant was named chairman of the
Southern States Energy Board today, slated to serve a one-year term
following outgoing chair Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2012/09/gov_phil_bryant_named_chairman.html
Farm Bill Set to Expire, Concerns Some Miss. Farmers
MPB
PUBLISHED BY DANIEL CHERRY ON 24 SEP 2012 06:09PM
The current U.S. Farm Bill will expire in five days, most likely without an
extension or a new version. MPB's Daniel Cherry reports how that's breeding
discontent among Mississippians in the agriculture industry.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/715farm_bill_set_to_expire_concerns_some_miss._farmers
Isaac's toll on Mississippi crops far less than damage in Louisiana
by Ted Carter
Published: September 23,2012
Just how much damage Hurricane Isaac did to crops in the southern portion
of the state has yet to be fully determined.
http://msbusiness.com/2012/09/isaacs-toll-on-mississippi-crops-far-less-than-damage-in-louisiana/
Hairston named chairman of Gaming Commission
Sun Herald
Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed John Hairston as chairman of the Mississippi
Gaming Commission, effective Oct. 1.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/09/24/4204842/hairston-named-chairman-of-gaming.html
Good news for state employees, jury still out on plan's math
by MBJ Staff
Published: September 23,2012
In a move that will make everyone who works for Mississippi feel better,
state government will be asked to put $44 million more into the Mississippi
retirement system next year to shore up the program for an estimated 30
years, the system director has told lawmakers.
http://msbusiness.com/2012/09/good-news-for-state-employees-jury-still-out-on-plans-math/
National News
Judge dismisses New York's anti-drilling lawsuit
Reuters
By Jessica Dye
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge in Brooklyn dismissed a lawsuit on
Monday brought by New York state and environmental groups challenging
proposed natural gas drilling in the Delaware River basin.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/24/us-fracking-dismissal-idINBRE88N14520120924
Opinion
CHARLIE MITCHELL: Public pensions a sacred trust in Mississippi, for now
Sun Herald
OXFORD — Few, if any, retirement systems for state employees have been as
well-managed as Mississippi's. Few, public or private, are as solid.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/09/24/4205604/charlie-mitchell-public-pensions.html
Press Releases
Regional Energy Board Selects Gov. Bryant as Chairman
OKLAHOMA CITY—The Southern States Energy Board today selected Gov. Phil
Bryant as its chairman, drawing on Mississippi's position as an energy
leader in the region. Bryant will serve a one-year term following outgoing
chair Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin.
The Southern States Energy Board is a bipartisan, interstate compact that
includes governors and state legislators from the 16 Southern states,
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as three non-voting board
members. The group promotes energy-based economic development, innovation,
programs and policies.
"Mississippi is a leader in the energy sector because of our diversity of
resources and our proactive approach to providing infrastructure for this
industry, and I believe that we have only just scratched the surface of
energy growth in our state," Bryant said.
"The Southern States Energy Board helps promote pro-energy legislation,
encourages job creation and innovation and works to reduce our dependence
on foreign energy sources while preserving our environment.
"For our nation to become more energy independent, we must recognize the
importance of a forward-thinking approach to energy and continue to develop
a comprehensive energy policy that works.
"It is an honor to serve as chairman of this organization, and I look
forward to working with board members to advance energy leadership in the
South."
Southern States Energy Board Executive Director Ken Nemeth said Bryant's
leadership in directing Mississippi's energy resources makes him uniquely
suited to serve as chairman of the organization.
"Mississippi is the crossroads of the nation with respect to energy policy
and technologies," Nemeth said. "Oil and natural gas production, nuclear
power, biomass, lignite coal, carbon capture and sequestration, renewables
and pipelines make up a diverse energy portfolio in the state.
"The Southern States Energy Board has just elected Gov. Phil Bryant as its
chairman because he is a new, dynamic southern leader who understands how
to marshal a profusion of energy resources while protecting our
environmental assets and reserves. Gov. Bryant's energy plan is a vibrant
example of how states should manage their resources efficiently and with
public confidence. His chairmanship of the Southern States Energy Board
will give other states the opportunity to benefit from his leadership!"
Bryant's election as chairman comes just ahead of his Governor's Energy
Summit planned for Oct. 4 in Jackson. The one-day summit will bring
together industry experts to explore Mississippi's energy future and
features a keynote address by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
For more information about the Southern States Energy Board, visit
http://www.sseb.org.
For more information the Governor's Energy Summit, visit
http://mississippi.cvent.com/EnergySummit2012.
###
CONTACT:
Molly Hooven
Hooven.Molly@epa.gov
202-564-2313
202-564-4355
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2012
EPA Honors Organizations for Supporting Green Power
WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented
its 12th annual Green Power Leadership Awards to 24 Green Power Partners
and three suppliers for their achievements in advancing the nation's
renewable electricity market. For most municipalities, electricity usage is
the single-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. By using green
power, communities and businesses can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, create local jobs, and improve public health.
"Our 2012 Green Power Leadership Award winners have not only demonstrated
commendable civic leadership in their efforts to use renewable energy
sources, they've also helped to reduce our carbon footprint and cut back on
pollution – all while supporting America's growing renewable energy
industry," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Thanks to their
commitment -- and the commitment of all of our Green Power Partners -- our
country is one step closer to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future."
"Green power" is electricity generated from renewable resources, such as
solar, wind, geothermal, biogas and low-impact hydro, and produces no net
increase of greenhouse gas emissions. From purchasing 100-percent green
power to installing large-scale solar panel arrays, the award winners help
demonstrate that green power makes sense not only for Americans' health and
environment but for business' bottom lines.
The 2012 Green Power Leadership Award winners are listed below in the
following categories:
First-ever Sustained Excellence in Green Power: Intel Corporation, Kohl's
Department Stores, Staples, and Whole Foods Market
Green Power Partner of the Year: City of Austin, Texas; Hilton Worldwide;
Microsoft Corporation; and the University of Oklahoma
Green Power Community of the Year: Beaverton, Ore. and Oak Park, Ill.
Green Power Purchasing: American University; Bloomberg L.P.; City of
Philadelphia, Pa.; Hobart and William Smith Colleges; Kettle Foods;
Lockheed Martin; McDonald's USA, LLC; MOM's Organic Market; NYSE Euronext;
Quinnipiac University; TD Bank; and The North Face
On-site Generation: Coca-Cola Refreshments and Zotos International, Inc.
Green Power Supplier of the Year: Renewable Choice Energy and Sterling
Planet
Innovative Green Power Program of the Year: Wellesley Municipal Light Plant
The 24 award-winning partners were chosen from more than 1,300 partner
organizations. Utilities, renewable energy project developers and other
green power suppliers were eligible to apply for the Supplier of the Year
and Program of the Year awards.
EPA also announced the winners of the second annual Green Power Community
Challenge, a national competition between communities to use renewable
energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the Green Power
Community of the Year award, Oak Park, Ill. also won the community
challenge for achieving the highest green power percentage of total
electricity use at 92 percent. Washington, D.C. also won the challenge for
a second year in a row for using the most green power annually with more
than one billion kilowatt-hours (kWh).
EPA, through the Green Power Partnership, works with partner organizations,
over half of which are small businesses and nonprofit organizations, to
reduce the environmental impacts of conventional electricity use. Partners
are voluntarily using more than 23 billion kWh of green power annually.
Through their use of green power, these organizations are avoiding carbon
pollution equal to that created by the electricity use of more than two
million average American homes each year.
More on the Green Power Leadership Awards:
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/awards/winners.htm
More on the Green Power Community Challenge:
www.epa.gov/greenpower/communities/gpcchallenge.htm
More on the Green Power Partnership: www.epa.gov/greenpower
