2/12/13
State News
DMR seeks to remove lost crab traps
The Associated Press
BILOXI, MISS. — Volunteers are needed by the Mississippi Department of
Marine Resources and Gulf Coast Research Laboratory on Feb. 21-23 to remove
derelict crab pots from Mississippi's waters. During this period no harvest
is allowed. It is illegal to remove any crab traps not licensed to you
unless you are a registered volunteer.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/12/4462672/dmr-seeks-to-remove-lost-crab.html
National News
Businesses Weigh Response If Climate Rules Come
Wall Street Journal
By KEITH JOHNSON
WASHINGTON—Businesses are weighing how to prepare for potential new rules
on climate change, after President Barack Obama has repeatedly promised to
make the issue a priority in his second term.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323511804578298472980100296.html
Wanted: Business leaders to aid President Obama on climate
Politico
By: Darren Goode
February 12, 2013 04:37 AM EST
President Barack Obama will need help from top business leaders if he's
going to marshal the support needed to enact the climate policies he's
expected to promote in Tuesday's State of the Union address.
The question: Who will they be?
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/fewer-business-execs-boosting-obama-on-climate-87485.html?hp=l4
Executive action expected on climate
The Hill
By Ben Geman - 02/12/13 05:00 AM ET
President Obama is expected to launch a serious second-term push on climate
change with his State of the Union address.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/282423-exec-action-is-expected-on-climate
Alec Baldwin, Morgan Freeman press Obama to fight climate change
The Hill
By Zack Colman - 02/11/13 11:24 AM ET
Actors Alec Baldwin and Morgan Freeman are among the stars warning
President Obama that his legacy will rest on what he does to stop climate
change.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/282223-celebrities-to-obama-fight-climate-crisis-on-every-front
Will Ernest Moniz be the next Energy secretary?
Christian Science Monitor
By David J. Unger, Correspondent
posted February 11, 2013 at 5:18 pm EST
With Steven Chu set to step down from the top post at the US Department of
Energy, the search is on for a new Energy secretary.
And the question is whether President Obama will seek out a scientist in
the the mold of Mr. Chu or change course and look for someone with more
political experience?
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2013/0211/Will-Ernest-Moniz-be-the-next-Energy-secretary
Why the fight over natural gas exports may be overblown
Washington Post
By Brad Plumer , Updated: February 11, 2013
One of the big energy issues Congress will face in the coming year is what
to do about the glut of cheap natural gas in the United States. Should we
start exporting some of that gas abroad and earn a tidy profit? Or keep it
here at home?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/02/11/why-the-fight-over-natural-gas-exports-may-be-overblown/
Press Releases
UPDATED DAMAGE REPORTS FROM TORNADOES AND SEVERE WEATHER
PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has received reports of
at least 570 homes destroyed or receiving major damage as a result of
tornadoes and severe storms that moved through the state on Sunday. There
were at least 80 injuries, two critical, and the rest minor. There are no
reported deaths. There are approximately 7,000 customers still without
power.
FEMA is sending teams to Mississippi to begin official joint damage
assessments that will begin Wednesday morning with MEMA, local officials
and members of the Small Business Administration. The results of those
assessments will be used to determine if Mississippi is eligible for
federal assistance.
A survey team from the National Weather Service in Jackson reports the
tornado in the Oak Grove/Hattiesburg area was an EF-4 with maximum winds of
170 mph. Another survey team confirmed EF-2 tornado damage in southwestern
Marion County from near the Walthall County line through the Pickwick
community. The end point still has not been determined as surveys continue.
The National Weather Service has determined that this was a separate
tornado track from the one that moved through Hattiesburg.
Two shelters remain open for affected residents:
· Forrest County Community 361 Shelter on U.S. 49 South in Hattiesburg.
· Lamar County Multipurpose Center at 99 Central Industrial Rd. in
Purvis.
Residents of storm-affected areas that have immediate needs can call 2-1-1
and register (alternate number: 866-472-8265). Representatives with 2-1-1
will call when their needs can be met.
People interested in volunteering to assist with the clean-up are
encouraged to sign up with the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
at www.volunteermississippi.org or by calling 1-888-353-1793.
Gov. Phil Bryant declared a State of Emergency Sunday night for Lawrence,
Marion, Lamar, Forrest and any other counties affected by the severe
weather. The State of Emergency allows for the use of state resources and
assets to support local governments in their response efforts.
A list of counties reporting damages are as follows:
Forrest County:
· One hundred and thirty three homes destroyed, 207 with major damage
with assessments still ongoing.
· Hospitals reported treating 63 people for minor injuries.
Humphreys County:
· At least one home and horse arena damaged.
Lamar County:
· Fifty-one homes destroyed and 170 with major damage.
· Eight injuries, two critical.
Lawrence County:
· Several homes damaged and minor injuries.
Marion County:
· Nine homes destroyed, four with major damage and three injuries.
Perry County:
· Road damage
Warren County:
· Trees down and flooding on multiple streets.
Wayne County:
· One home destroyed and six with major damage.
· One bridge sustained major damage.
Yazoo County:
· Trees down and flooding on multiple streets.
Initial damage assessments are still underway in affected counties, and
reported figures could change as updates are reported to the State
Emergency Operations Center in Pearl.
State and local emergency officials remain on the ground in impacted areas.
MEMA will report updates as they are available.
The public is encouraged to follow MEMA on Twitter and Facebook for
information.
###
EPA Makes Public Comprehensive Information on Use of Chemicals in the U.S.
The Chemical Data Reporting information will help EPA and others assess
chemicals more quickly and encourage the use of safer chemicals
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released
the 2012 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) information on more than 7,600
chemicals in commerce. The CDR database contains comprehensive use and
exposure information on the most widely used chemicals in the United
States.
Companies are now required to provide information on chemicals used in
children's and other consumer products, along with reports on commercial
applications and industrial uses of chemicals. For the first time ever, EPA
also required companies to substantiate confidentiality claims in order to
ensure that as much information as possible is made available to the
public.
"The 2012 Chemical Data Reporting information will help EPA and others
better assess chemicals, evaluate potential exposures and use, and expand
efforts to encourage the use of safer chemicals," said EPA Administrator
Lisa P. Jackson. "The CDR data also highlight the clear need for TSCA
reform. Updating this critical law will ensure that EPA has access to the
tools and resources it needs to quickly and effectively assess potentially
harmful chemicals, and safeguard the health of families across the
country."
The CDR rule, the source of this new data, was issued under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA). The rule requires companies that manufacture
or import chemicals to report manufacturing and import data every four
years when site-specific production volume exceeds 25,000 lb. This report
is for calendar year 2011. The EPA received reports on 7,674 chemicals,
including 354 that were reported as used in children's products. 1,704
chemicals were reported as used in consumer products and 3,073 were used in
commercial applications or products. The remaining chemicals reported were
for industrial use only. The CDR information includes data on chemicals
that are used in children's products such as toys, playground and sporting
equipment, arts and crafts materials, and textiles and furniture.
Chemicals used in consumer products, particularly those intended for
children, present potential for direct exposure to the public and are
priorities for assessment by the agency. Although reporting on these
chemicals is compulsory, currently there are no requirements under TSCA
that existing chemicals be evaluated for safety.
Yet EPA has taken action and begun a process to ensure that chemicals used
by the public on a daily basis are safe. The process identifies potential
chemicals for near-term review and risk assessment under TSCA. In 2012, EPA
released a work plan of 83 chemicals for further review as part of the
agency's existing chemicals management program. From that list, seven
chemicals were identified for risk assessment development in 2012 and 18
for assessment in 2013 and 2014. In January, 2013, EPA released for public
comment and peer review an initial set of draft risk assessments of five
chemicals for particular uses found in common household products
.
The 2012 CDR information released today is available at
http://www.epa.gov/cdr. Users can download or search the database. In
addition, users can tailor the search results to view information on
specific uses of chemicals, such as those used in products intended for use
with children.
Read more about the CDR data, including fact sheets, at www.epa.gov/cdr.
