2/7/13
Oil Spill
Mississippians could be entitled to BP claim
WLOX
With BP settlement money now flowing in to the state of Mississippi,
Attorney General Jim Hood says many businesses and individuals may not be
aware they could be entitled to a claim.
http://www.wlox.com/story/20997242/mississippians-could-be-entitled-to-bp-claim
Tourism Partnership reports progress
Sun Herald
By MARY PEREZ — meperez@sunherald.com
The final awards funded by a $16 million tourism grant from BP will be
announced before the end of the month and The Gulf Coast Regional Tourism
Partnership said the money spent on marketing appears to be bringing
tourists to South Mississippi.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/06/4452689/tourism-partnership-reports-progress.html
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council announces public hearings in
Louisiana
By Mark Schleifstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
updated February 06, 2013 at 7:14 PM
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, set up by the RESTORE Act to
oversee the spending of the Clean Water Act fine from the BP Deepwater
Horizon oil spill, will hold a series of public meetings in Louisiana in
mid-February.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/02/gulf_coast_ecosystem_restorati.html
BP's U.S. Defense Contracts Doubled Since Year of Gulf Oil Spill
Bloomberg
By Danielle Ivory - Feb 6, 2013
BP Plc's Pentagon contracts have more than doubled since the year of the
Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the biggest in U.S. history.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-06/bp-s-u-s-defense-contracts-doubled-since-year-of-gulf-oil-spill.html
State News
Jackson water system repairs to cost $300M, study says
Clarion Ledger
The city of Jackson will need an estimated $300 million to fix its
crumbling water system, a new study found.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130207/news01/302070060/jackson-water-system-repairs-cost-300m-study-says
Coast Guard declares oil spill cleanup of Mississippi River complete
By The Associated Press
updated February 06, 2013 at 7:38 PM
NEW ORLEANS -- The Coast Guard has completed cleanup of the oil spill near
Vicksburg, Miss., that closed the major shipping channel for days in both
directions.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/02/coast_guard_declares_oil_spill.html#incart_river
Crews cleaning up crude oil spill on Tallahoma Creek tributary
WDAM
The clean up of a crude oil spill on a tributary of the Tallahoma Creek
near Bay Springs continued Wednesday. About 50 members of an environmental
response team have been working round the clock to contain and remove oil,
which leaked from an 8-inch pipeline into the water and onto a portion of
the pipeline right of way about 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.
http://www.wdam.com/story/20991650/crews-cleaning-up-crude-oil-spill-on-tallahoma-creek-tributary
Oil Leaks into Jasper County Creek
WTOK
Authorities say about 40 gallons of oil leaked from a broken pipeline in
Jasper County into a creek east of Bay Springs Tuesday before being
stopped.
http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Oil-leak-near-Bay-Springs-stopped-after-line-break-190093521.html
People will get chance to talk about DMR director search
Published: February 6, 2013
Sun Herald
By PAUL HAMPTON — jphampton@sunherald.com
BILOXI -- Vernon Asper hopes those who come to tonight's Commission on
Marine Resources meeting will focus on the future, not the past.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/06/4453013/people-will-get-chance-to-talk.html
In South Mississippi, Land Trust board members resign
Sun Herald
By ANITA LEE — calee@sunherald.com
A Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain board member has resigned,
saying he wants to spend more time with his family in Texas and eventually
plans to move there.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/06/4452914/in-south-mississippi-land-trust.html
Sierra Club opposes Kemper Power plant legislation
Sun Herald
By MICHAEL NEWSOM — mmnewsom@sunherald.com
GULFPORT -- The Sierra Club's attorney says bills Mississippi Power wants
to push through the Legislature take away the Public Service Commission's
power to regulate some costs passed to ratepayers to fund the controversial
multi-billion dollar Kemper County power plant.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/06/4453015/sierra-club-opposes-kemper-power.html
City sees need for recycling education
By CALEB BEDILLION
DAILY LEADER
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 2:00 pm
Brookhaven aldermen are counting on education efforts to help push the
city's recycling program past some mild growing pains.
http://www.dailyleader.com/topstories/article_601bfab4-707b-11e2-a8d8-001a4bcf887a.html
Supporters: Senate-passed bill 'clarifies' PSC role
by Bobby Harrison
NEMS Daily Journal
02.07.13 - 05:20 am
JACKSON – Sen. Perry Lee, R-Mendenhall, said legislation the Senate passed
Wednesday does not strip away the power of the three-member Public Service
Commission to regulate rural water associations, but "just clarifies"
existing law.
http://djournal.com/view/full_story/21643394/article-Supporters--Senate-passed-bill-%E2%80%98clarifies%E2%80%99-PSC-role?instance=secondary_stories_left_column
MDMR closes waters to oystermen due to water quality
by MBJ Staff
Published: February 6,2013
GULF OF MEXICO — The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has closed
three areas to oyster harvesting because of water quality issues.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2013/02/06/mdmr-closes-waters-to-oystermen-due-to-water-quality/
Volunteers needed for 'Take Pride in America Day' at Choctaw Lake
January 31, 2013
By Amanda McBride The Choctaw Plaindealer
Volunteers are needed to take pride in Choctaw Lake and help with several
projects on March 2 for the national "Take Pride in America Day."
http://choctaw.winstonnewsonline.com/2013/01/31/volunteers-needed-for-take-pride-in-america-day-at-choctaw-lake/
Mississippi senators vote to extend moratorium on new vehicles
Commercial Appeal
By Phil West
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
JACKSON — Mississippi's moratorium on buying new vehicles is so successful
that state senators want to extend it another year.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/feb/06/mississippi-senators-vote-to-extend-moratorium/?print=1
House OKs locating Dept. of Revenue in Clinton, but Senate bill wants it in
Jackson
Clarion Ledger
The state House, at the behest of Speaker Philip Gunn, voted after much
debate to lease or purchase a building in Clinton without knowing how much
it's going to cost, where the money will come from or if it's the best deal
.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20130207/NEWS010504/302070059/House-OKs-locating-Dept-Revenue-Clinton-Senate-bill-wants-Jackson
National News
Obama nominates REI chief executive as interior secretary
Washington Post
By Juliet Eilperin, Published: February 6
When colleagues want to conduct business with Sally Jewell, they have a
better chance getting her to schedule a lengthy hike than a coffee date.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-to-nominate-ceo-of-outdoor-equipment-giant-rei-to-become-interior-secretary/2013/02/06/da9d2dcc-7007-11e2-ac36-3d8d9dcaa2e2_story.html
Obama's Choice to Lead Interior Dept. Has Oil Sector and Conservation
Credentials
NY Times
By JOHN M. BRODER
WASHINGTON — President Obama on Wednesday nominated Sally Jewell, the chief
executive of Recreational Equipment Inc., to lead the Interior Department,
with a vow that she will balance the agency's sometimes conflicting
mandates to promote resource development and preserve the nation's natural
heritage.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/us/politics/obama-chooses-rei-executive-to-lead-interior-dept.html?ref=earth&_r=0
U.S. could fall short of 2020 climate goal, new study says, but target
remains in reach
Washington Post
By Juliet Eilperin,
The United States is not on track to meet its international commitment to
cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, according to an analysis released
Wednesday by the World Resources Institute.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/us-could-fall-short-of-2020-climate-goal-new-study-says-but-target-remains-in-reach/2013/02/06/128f8f82-6f08-11e2-ac36-3d8d9dcaa2e2_story.html
Energy Efficiencies May Cut $169 Bln in Business Costs
Bloomberg
By Jim Snyder - Feb 7, 2013
The aggressive promotion of efficiency programs could cut $169 billion a
year from the energy bills of U.S. business by 2030, according to a report
whose authors include Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-07/energy-efficiencies-may-cut-169-bln-in-business-costs.html
A poisoned well? Fracking studies stir doubts
CBS
On Monday, protesters poured into a hearing room in Albany, New York to
make the case that the state should not lift a moratorium on hydraulic
fracturing - better known as "fracking" - later this month. Their
overriding message: There is no evidence that fracking, the controversial
process of extracting oil and natural gas from huge underground rock
formations, is safe.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57567508/a-poisoned-well-fracking-studies-stir-doubts/
Opinion
SUN HERALD | Editorial: Public trust demands making the tough calls
Published: February 6, 2013
What happens if you undermine a position of public trust? If you are the
executive director of the Harrison County Utility Authority, you get fired.
If you are the city manager of D'Iberville, you get to announce that you
are taking a "voluntary leave of absence without pay."
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/06/4452558/sun-herald-editorial-public-trust.html
Press Releases
Lawmakers Aim To Improve EPA Mandate
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Reps. Gregg Harper (R–Miss.) and Jim Matheson
(D–Utah) introduced a bill today that seeks to relieve businesses and
consumers from an unattainable federal energy mandate.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has required the nation's
petroleum supply to contain a blend of more than 20 million gallons of
renewable fuel additives, commonly referred to as cellulosic biofuel, since
2010.
However, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service recently reported
that cellulosic biofuel is not estimated to reach commercial volumes until
at least 2015.
"This legislation simply requires the EPA to rely on actual industry
production instead of bureaucratic predictions," said the lawmakers, who
serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Noncompliance fines are issued to energy producers who fail to meet the
EPA's fuel rules. Refiners may also purchase credits through the agency to
avoid the fees.
"The agency's current method for calculating these fuel standards leaves
America's energy suppliers with two options: pay government penalties or
buy government credits," Harper added. "Either way, the cost is likely
passed through to consumers who are already paying high gas prices."
Matheson continued, "To date, companies have paid millions of dollars to
the EPA for a fuel that isn't commercially produced and those costs are
being passed onto consumers in the form of higher gas prices. This is a
common sense bill that requires the EPA to take into account actual
production numbers and protects business and consumers from unrealistic
goals resulting in higher costs."
A recent U.S. Court of Appeals decision knocked down the EPA's 2012
mandate, saying that the agency is not allowed "to let its aspirations for
a self-fulfilling prophecy divert it from a neutral methodology." Even so,
the EPA has moved forward with its 2013 numbers that increase last year's
standards by an additional six million gallons.
The bill will be referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for
consideration.
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Announces Public Engagement
Sessions in Gulf States
02/06/2013 06:15 PM EST
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (the Council) today announced
the dates for upcoming public engagement sessions to provide early
opportunities for initial input into the Comprehensive Plan for Gulf Coast
restoration. Public engagement sessions will be held in Mississippi on
February 19, in Louisiana on February 19, 20 and 21, and in Florida on
February 28. The Council will announce additional dates and locations via
the Council's website as they become available.
The Council, which was established by the Resources and Ecosystem
Sustainability, Tourism, Opportunities Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast
States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act), will help restore the ecosystem and
economy of the Gulf Coast region by developing and overseeing
implementation of a Comprehensive Plan and carrying out other
responsibilities.
In January, the Council released The Path Forward to Restoring the Gulf
Coast, which describes the Council's path to collaboratively develop an
initial Comprehensive Plan. It sets out an integrated approach to Gulf
restoration, recognizing that ecosystem restoration is inextricably linked
to economic growth and development. The Council is in an early stage of
plan development and intends to release a draft plan for public comment in
Spring 2013. The public engagement sessions are part of the Council's
efforts to ensure robust public input throughout the entire process.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused extensive damage to the Gulf Coast's
natural resources, devastating the economies and communities that rely on
it. In an effort to help the region rebuild in the wake of the spill,
Congress passed the bipartisan RESTORE Act. The Act dedicates 80 percent of
any civil and administrative penalties paid under the Clean Water Act by
responsible parties in connection with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to
the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund (the Trust Fund) for ecosystem
restoration, economic recovery, and tourism promotion in the Gulf Coast
region.
The meetings will give the public the opportunity to provide feedback on
the Council's restoration planning efforts. Following are details on the
upcoming meetings:
Tuesday, February 19
Louisiana – 5:00 PM CST
Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Room 3, Houma, LA
Mississippi – 5:00 PM CST
Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, 2350 Beach Blvd., Biloxi,
MS
Wednesday, February 20
Louisiana – 5:00 PM CST
University of New Orleans, Homer Hitt Alumni Center Ballroom, 2000
Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA
Thursday, February 21
Louisiana – 5:00 PM CST
Lack Charles Civic Center, Jean Lafitte Room, 900 Lakeshore Drive, Lake
Charles, LA
Thursday, February 28
Florida – 6:00 PM EST
Student Union East Conference Center, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W.
U.S. 98, Panama City Beach, FL
To learn more about the Council and get details about upcoming meetings,
visit www.restorethegulf.gov.
PRESS RELEASE: Applications for Initiatives Due April 19
Media Contact: Jeannine May, (601) 965-5205, jeannine.may@ms.usda.gov
JACKSON, Feb. 7, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications to help
producers improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, improve
grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations and
achieve other environmental benefits.
Through a number of special initiatives, Mississippi producers can apply
for financial assistance until April 19. The initiatives include:
On-Farm Energy: Makes agricultural lands more energy efficient through
conservation practices like agricultural energy management plans and
farmstead energy improvements. Producers in all 82 counties are eligible to
apply.
Gulf of Mexico: Improves water quality in Gulf of Mexico, Bay St. Louis and
Jourdan River through conservation practices like grade stabilization
structure, tree planting, longleaf pine establishment and wildlife habitat
management. Producers in the Bayou La-Terre and Rotten Bayou watersheds in
Hancock and Harrison counties are eligible to apply.
Longleaf Pine: Restores and enhances longleaf pine forests through
conservation practices like longleaf pine tree planting and site
preparation. Producers in counties with suitable soil types are eligible to
apply.
Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds: Improves water quality in Gulf
of Mexico and Mississippi River through conservation practices like
irrigation water management and drainage water management. Producers in the
Coldwater River and Sunflower River watersheds in the Delta region are
eligible to apply.
Working Lands for Wildlife: Creates and enhances habitat for threatened and
endangered species like the gopher tortoise through conservation practices
like planting longleaf pine trees and using prescribed burning. Producers
in counties with suitable soil types are eligible to apply.
Organic: Supports organic operations through conservation practices like
conservation crop rotation, residue management/no-till/strip till/direct
seeding and cover crop. Producers in all 82 counties are eligible.
Seasonal High Tunnel: Supports local food systems and lengthens growing
season through this practice. Producers in all 82 counties are eligible to
apply.
Beginning Farmer: Provides support to new farmers through practices like
fencing and prescribed grazing. Producers who have operated a farm for less
than 10 years are eligible.
Limited Resource Farmer: Provides support to new farmers through practices
like ponds and heavy use protection area. To be considered a
limited-resource farmer or rancher, an applicant must meet both of the
following criteria:
Direct or indirect gross farm sales of not more than the current
indexed value ($172,800) in each of the previous two years;
Total household income at or below the national poverty level
for a family of four, or less than 50 percent of county median
household income in the previous two years.
Socially Disadvantaged Farmer: Provides support to new farmers through
practices like fencing and ponds. A socially disadvantaged producer is a
group whose members have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice because
of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual
qualities. This includes:
American Indians and Alaskan Natives
Asians
Black or African Americans
Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders
Hispanics
Applicants self-certify. Gender alone is not a covered group for the
purposes of NRCS conservation programs.
Specialty Crop: Encourages and supports growers of specialty crops (i.e.
sweet potatoes, greens, squashes) through practices like mulching and cover
crops. Specialty crop producers in all 82 counties are eligible to apply.
Livestock: Encourages and supports livestock operations through practices
like stream crossings, cross fencing and ponds. Livestock producers in all
82 counties are eligible to apply.
"Conservation programs offer farmers, ranchers and forestland managers a
variety of options to conserve natural resources while boosting production
on their land," State Conservationist Homer Wilkes said. "This conservation
investment helps improve environmental health and the economy of
Mississippi rural communities."
These initiatives are funded through Farm Bill conservation programs, such
as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Wildlife Habitat
Incentive Program, which provides financial assistance for a variety of
conservation activities. Applicants can sign up at their local NRCS service
center.
For more information about EQIP or other technical or financial assistance
programs offered by NRCS, please contact your local service center:
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs
#
EPA Provides Tools for Sustainable Communities
Smart growth policies can help achieve environmental justice goals
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released
a first-of-its kind report showing how low-income, minority and tribal
communities can apply smart growth land use and development strategies to
create healthy communities, spur economic growth and protect the
environment.
The Creating Equitable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities report
describes how low-income, minority, and tribal communities can employ smart
growth strategies to clean up and reinvest in existing neighborhoods;
provide affordable housing and transportation; and improve access to jobs,
parks and stores. The report also provides smart growth practitioners with
concrete ideas on how they can better meet the needs of low-income
residents as they promote development or redevelopment in underserved
communities.
"The way communities are designed and built has an important influence on
public health, the quality of our air and water, and economic vitality,"
said Michael Goo, associate administrator for EPA's Office of Policy. "EPA
hopes this report will help smart growth and environmental justice
advocates work together more effectively to achieve the best results
possible for communities."
"Historically, environmental justice and smart growth have been viewed as
separate interests, yet communities across the U.S. are showing that they
are actually complementary," said Lisa Garcia, associate assistant
administrator for EPA's Office of Environmental Justice. "Combining these
principles and focusing on equitable development can help community-based
organizations, local planners, and other stakeholders achieve healthy and
sustainable communities for all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity,
or economic status."
The report also features case studies on seven communities across the
country that have used the strategies described in the report. These
strategies include:
• designing safe streets for all users
• cleaning and reusing contaminated properties
• reducing exposure to facilities with potential environmental concerns
• fixing existing infrastructure before investing in new projects
• preserving affordable housing
The Creating Equitable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities report was
developed by EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and Office of
Sustainable Communities.
More information about the report:
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/equitable_development_report.htm
More information about the Office of Environmental Justice:
http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice
More information about the Office of Sustainable Communities:
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth
