Oil Spill
SUN HERALD | Editorial: Do not undo the RESTORE Act
We urge U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder not to allow Department of
Justice negotiations with BP to undermine provisions of the RESTORE Act.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/10/09/4234248/sun-herald-editorial-do-not-undo.html
Senators differ on BP penalties
Disagreement centers on which statute directs more funds to La.
by jordan blum
Baton Rouge Advocate Washington bureau
WASHINGTON — As reports and criticisms circulate that the federal
government may move outside of the federal RESTORE Act framework in the BP
oil leak settlement talks, Louisiana's two senators are taking different
approaches.
http://theadvocate.com/home/4111038-125/senators-differ-on-bp-penalties
State News
Council agrees to about $400M in sewer work
Clarion Ledger
A divided Jackson City Council on Monday narrowly approved a consent decree
with the Environmental Protection Agency, agreeing to spend somewhere
around $400 million to rebuild its sewage system over the coming years and
pay a fine.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20121009/NEWS/310080055/Council-agrees-about-400M-sewer-work
Officials Look to Fund Water Upgrades
WJTV
Jackson- Officials say the city's water treatment system is outdated.
MDEQ and EPA cited the city for not properly treating wastewater.
http://www2.wjtv.com/news/2012/oct/09/officials-look-fund-water-upgrades-ar-4718361/
Waveland to fight paying off TCB debris removal contract
Sea Coast Echo
By Dwayne Bremer
Oct 9, 2012, 17:28
The city of Waveland has asked the Hancock County Circuit Court to dismiss
a lawsuit from a contractor who claims the city owes it $1.36 million in
post-Katrina cleanup work.
http://12.68.233.230/40/article_6324.shtml#.UHVvrRXXay4
2 water systems at odds over service area
AP
NATCHEZ, MISS. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has joined the Adams
County Water Association in its lawsuit challenging the service area of
Natchez Waterworks.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/10/10/4234827/2-water-systems-at-odds-over-service.html
Port chief: Announcement on Port of Gulfport expansion set for November
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- Port Commission President Lenny Sawyer told residents of North
Gulfport on Tuesday night port officials expect to announce at a Nov. 15
meeting what direction the port's expansion will take.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/10/09/4234634/port-chief-announcement-on-port.html
South Mississippi residents to get their say in Biloxi
Sun Herald
BILOXI -- House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, will swing through Biloxi
on Thursday and Gov. Phil Bryant will visit the city Oct. 26 to hear local
opinions on health care and other issues.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/10/09/4234645/south-mississippi-residents-to.html
National News
Report: EPA struggling to keep pace with 'fracking' boom
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 10/09/12 03:34 PM ET
Congressional auditors conclude in new reports that the Environmental
Protection Agency faces big hurdles overseeing a U.S. oil-and-gas drilling
boom that's creating "unknown" long-term health risks.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/261033-report-epa-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-fracking-boom
Opinion
SUN HERALD | Editorial: Do not undo the RESTORE Act
We urge U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder not to allow Department of
Justice negotiations with BP to undermine provisions of the RESTORE Act.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/10/09/4234248/sun-herald-editorial-do-not-undo.html
Press Releases
SmartWay Honors Freight Industry Leaders for Supply Chain Efficiency
CONTACT: Jason McDonald, 404-562-9203, mcdonald.jason@epa.gov
ATLANTA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored North
Carolina-based Duncan and Sons Lines, Inc., and Lowe's Companies, Inc.,
with 2012 SmartWay Excellence Awards for achievements in moving freight
more efficiently while reducing carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions.
Since 2004, SmartWay partners have benefited from $6.5 billion in fuel
savings while strengthening United States energy independence by saving 55
million barrels of oil. The SmartWay Excellence Award winners are setting
an example in the transportation industry that it is possible to move more
goods, more miles with lower emissions, less energy and at a lower cost.
"Recipients of this year's SmartWay Excellence Awards are reaping the
business benefits and environmental rewards of cutting petroleum use in
their transportation operations," said Gina McCarthy, Assistant
Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation. "By participating in EPA's
SmartWay Transport Partnership and working to reduce costs and emissions,
these companies are moving our nation forward to a healthier and more
secure future."
The winning organizations are top performers in reducing freight
transportation emissions through technological innovation, and are taking
advantage of SmartWay strategies and tools. EPA launched SmartWay in 2004
to help improve the freight industry's environmental performance.
SmartWay's clean air achievements include reducing 23.6 million metric tons
of carbon dioxide, 478,000 tons nitrogen oxides, and 22,000 tons of
particulate matter to better help protect the health and environment of the
nation.
SmartWay was recently upgraded to include enhanced reporting tools that
enable industry to track freight operations' energy and environmental
efficiency. In addition to carriers having the ability to both calculate
and adopt strategies for lowering their transportation energy use and
carbon emissions, shipper and logistics partners are now able to optimize
their carriers and mode selection.
The 2012 SmartWay Excellence Award recognition was held in conjunction with
annual freight industry conferences at the American Trucking Association's
Annual Management Conference & Exhibit in Las Vegas, Nev. and at the
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Annual Conference in
Atlanta, Ga.
List of Excellence Award recipients:
http://www.epa.gov/smartway/partner-resources/awards.htm
More information on SmartWay: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/
