11.15.2013
Oil Spill
DEQ announces first three South Mississippi programs to be funded from BP
oil spill money
Sun Herald
BY KAREN NELSON
MOSS POINT -- The head of Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality
chose a bend in the Escatawpa River as a backdrop when she announced plans
for $7.5 million in restoration projects along the Coast.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/11/14/5114950/deq-announces-three-multi-million.html
BP millions awarded for coastal restoration projects
WLOX
MOSS POINT, MS (WLOX) -Preserving wetlands, counting birds and addressing
flooding concerns. Those are among the restoration initiatives that will be
funded with the first money from the BP criminal settlement.
http://www.wlox.com/story/23969001/bp-millions-awarded-for-coastal-restoration-projects
MDEQ receives $8.2 million of an expected $356 million for Gulf restoration
projects
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
November 14, 2013 at 1:49 PM
MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- The Mississippi Department of Environmental
Quality has received $8.2 million from the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation to fund three conservation projects on the coast, leaders
announced at an afternoon press conference.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/11/mdeq_receives_82_million_of_an.html#incart_river
Mississippi Receives $7.5 Million for Restoration Projects
MPB
BY EVELINA BURNETT | PUBLISHED 14 NOV 2013
Mississippi has received $7.5 million for three projects intended to repair
environmental damage caused by the 2010 BP oil spill.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/mississippi_receives_7.5_million_for_restoration_projects
M.D.E.Q. Works to Restore the Coast
WXXV
Monies by BP and Transocean are finally being allocated. A big announcement
was made today regarding three conservation projects. The Mississippi
Department of Environmental Quality (M.D.E.Q.) announced the holders of the
funding. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (N.F.W.F.) will give 8.2
million to launch the projects.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/M-D-E-Q-Works-to-Restore-the-Coast/pDmSZ6sDqEm59t89Peqrig.cspx
Gulf states get first $113M from oil spill fines
AP
JACKSON – The five states that border the Gulf of Mexico are getting $113
million to improve the environment, the first small chunk of $2.5 billion
that BP and Transocean were fined as a result of criminal pleas last year
following the 2010 Gulf oil spill.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/viewart/20131115/NEWS01/311150013/Gulf-states-get-first-113M-from-oil-spill-fines
First round of BP coastal restoration funding announced with Alabama
receiving $12.6M, Mississippi $7.5M
Press-Register
Marc D. Anderson
November 14, 2013 at 6:19 PM
In a step toward fulfilling BP's obligation to the Gulf states following
the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation on Thursday awarded $113 million in funding for 22 coastal
restoration projects in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
http://blog.al.com/live/2013/11/first_round_of_bp_coastal_rest.html
National foundation awards Louisiana first $68 million from BP, Transocean
criminal fines for coastal restoration
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
November 14, 2013 at 2:02 PM
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Thursday (Nov. 14) said it
awarded $67.9 million in planning and design money for two Louisiana
barrier island restoration projects and a major sediment diversion, part of
the state's coastal restoration and storm surge protection Master Plan.
http://www.nola.com/weather/index.ssf/2013/11/national_fish_and_wildlife_fou.html#incart_river
Pensacola to receive $2 million in BP cash
Pensacola News Journal
The City of Pensacola will receive more than $2 million in the first round
of projects to be funded from criminal fines levied against BP and
Transocean after the 2010 Gulf oil spill, city officials announced today.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20131115/NEWS01/311150027/Pensacola-receive-2-million-BP-cash
$4.19 million earmarked for Apalachicola oyster industry
By ZACK McDONALD | The News Herald
Published: Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 19:35 PM.
PANAMA CITY — The first wave of relief is on its way following the 2010
Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the form of $15.7 million along the
Panhandle, officials announced Thursday.
http://www.newsherald.com/news/business/4-19-million-earmarked-for-apalachicola-oyster-industry-1.235065
State
Detonation, fire kills one at Chevron Pascagoula Refinery
WLOX
PASCAGOULA, MS (WLOX) -WLOX News has confirmed a deadly fire at Chevron
Pascagoula Refinery. Chevron officials tell us one person is dead. That
employee's family has been notified. However, Chevron is not releasing the
victim's name yet.
http://www.wlox.com/story/23976953/one-dead-in-overnight-fire-at-chevron-pascagoula-refinery
Chevron Pascagoula Refinery reports early-morning explosion, fire, 1
fatality at processing unit
Mississippi Press
Gareth Clary
November 15, 2013 at 7:16 AM
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- An explosion and fire at the Chevron Pascagoula
Refinery Friday morning killed one employee and injured another, according
to authorities.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/11/chevron_pascagoula_refinery_re.html#incart_river
One dead in fire at Chevron's Pascagoula refinery
sun herald
BY KAREN NELSON AND PATRICK OCHS
PASCAGOULA -- The Chevron Pascagoula Refinery has confirmed that a 2 a.m.
fire in one of its processing units killed a worker.
Alan Sudduth, spokesman for Chevron in Mississippi, said "refinery teams
responded, the site is secure and there is no danger to the community.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/11/15/5116922/one-dead-in-fire-at-chevrons-pascagoula.html
Audubon transfers 22 endangered cranes from New Orleans rearing facility to
Mississippi refuge
Benjamin Alexander-Bloch
The Times-Picayune
November 14, 2013 at 5:04 PM
Audubon Nature Institute staff this week bid adieu to 22 critically
endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes after having helped breed them, then
rear them in New Orleans during the birds' first 6 months of life.
On Thursday, the last fledglings left the Species Survival Center on the
West Bank and arrived at the only place on earth where the cranes are still
found in the wild: the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
in Jackson County, Miss.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/11/audubon_transfers_22_endangere.html#incart_river
Regional
TVA closing 8 coal units at plants in Ala. and Ky.
BY TRAVIS LOLLER
Associated PressNovember 15, 2013
The nation's largest public utility is shuttering eight coal-fired boilers
at plants in Alabama and Kentucky, and more reductions could be in store
over the next few years.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/11/15/5116816/tva-closing-8-coal-units-at-plants.html
National
EPA assailed on power plant regulations
The Hill
A slew of Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked an
Environmental Protection Agency official essentially the same question
Thursday: What planet are you on?
GOP lawmakers blasted the EPA's proposed climate rules for new power plants
at a hearing, arguing that the rule forces coal plants to use
carbon-trapping technologies that aren't ready for prime time.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/190269-epa-assailed-on-power-plant-carbon-regs
Rep. Smith targets EPA use of 'secret science'
The Hill
By Laura Barron-Lopez
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) plans to introduce legislation in the coming
weeks that would stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using
"secret science" as a basis for regulation.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/190319-rep-smith-to-introduce-bill-stopping-epa-use-of-secret-science
House readies vote to thwart 'fracking' regs
The Hill
By Ben Geman
The House will likely vote next week on GOP bills that would block Interior
Department regulation of oil and gas "fracking" and set new deadlines for
drilling permit approvals.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/190324-house-readies-vote-to-thwart-fracking-regs
EPA chief: Fuel mandate safe for cars
The Hill
By Laura Barron-Lopez
Environmental Protection Agency chief Gina McCarthy said on Thursday she
remains confident that the gasoline blend for the 2014 renewable fuel
mandate is safe for vehicles.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/190258-epa-chief-renewable-fuel-mandate-safe-for-cars
Press Releases
Mississippi Emerging as Regional Leader in Energy Efficiency
Portfolio of Policies and Programs Could Meet 13% of Electricity and 10% of
Natural Gas Demand, Create 32,000 Jobs, and Generate $4.3 billion in
Economic Growth by 2025
In the last year, Mississippi has advanced a suite of policies that have
the state poised to become a regional leader in energy efficiency efforts,
and could save the state billions while creating thousands of jobs. These
findings come from a new report released today by the American Council for
an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), A Guide to Growing an Energy-Efficient
Economy in Mississippi.
In October 2012, Gov. Phil Bryant released his energy plan, Energy Works:
Mississippi's Energy Roadmap. The plan signaling the state's intent to
aggressively develop its vast energy resources, including energy
efficiency, in order to spur economic development. The proactive leadership
in the state, both public and private, has helped catapult Mississippi to
the most improved state in the country in this year's State Energy
Efficiency Scorecard. Only a year ago, Mississippi ranked last place in
ACEEE's annual Scorecard, which ranks states according to their efforts to
save energy.
"One of the goals of Energy Works is expanding Mississippi's energy
capacity through efficiency, and we are proud to see these efforts pay
off," Gov. Bryant said. "Energy is one of Mississippi's most important
resources. Increased efficiency will help improve the competitiveness of
Mississippi's businesses, attract new companies to the state, and improve
the reliability of our energy system."
"Governor Bryant and leaders across the state have made laudable strides,
enacting a number of intelligent, common-sense policies that will help to
stimulate the local economy and meet the growing energy needs of the state
for years to come," said ACEEE executive director Steven Nadel.
ACEEE's report concludes that through these policies Mississippi could
create 32,000 jobs and free up $4.3 billion over the next decade.
"There is a significant opportunity for energy efficiency savings in
Mississippi, and our report is intended as a guide to help inform the
process of capturing as much of this opportunity as possible over the next
10 years," said Max Neubauer, senior policy analyst and lead author of the
report. "The report outlines a comprehensive---but not exhaustive---set of
strategic energy efficiency policy and program opportunities that
Mississippi and its utilities can consider when developing their
portfolios. The report also offers insight into prudent regulatory policy
that will help ensure that Mississippi gets the most out of its future
investments."
Mississippi is quickly moving forward with energy efficiency investments,
spurred by state policies and existing utility energy efficiency programs.
In October, the Tennessee Valley Authority and Severstal, an auto-grade
steel manufacturer, celebrated the successful completion of energy
efficiency improvements to Severstal's facility in Columbus, Miss. The
improvements will save Severstal approximately $1.6 million in energy costs
annually and save enough energy to power 2,000 homes.
"The progress we've seen in the past year is a direct result of Governor
Bryant's focused leadership in this area," said Karen Bishop, director of
the Mississippi Development Authority's Energy and Natural Resources
Division. "We are working closely with the private sector and our utility
partners, as well as state agencies and local governments, and I expect
that Mississippi will continue to rise in the ACEEE Scorecard rankings in
the coming years."
Mississippi's efforts will serve as an example for other states to emulate.
The policies and programs developed and administered by state agencies and
utilities will guide efforts elsewhere, expediting greater economic
development throughout the region.
To read the report visit: http://aceee.org/research-report/e13m
About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts as a
catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies,
investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs,
publications, and conferences, visit aceee.org.
###
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy Testimony Before House Committee on
Science, Space and Technology
WASHINGTON – As prepared for delivery.
Good morning Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Johnson, and other
distinguished members of the Committee. I am pleased to be here to talk
about the central role science plays at the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.
Let me begin by stating that science is and has always been the backbone of
the EPA's decision-making. The Agency's ability to pursue its mission to
protect human health and the environment depends upon the integrity of the
science upon which it relies. I firmly believe that environmental policies,
decisions, guidance, and regulations that impact the lives of all Americans
must be grounded, at a most fundamental level, in sound, high quality,
transparent, science.
Because we rely so heavily on science to meet our mission on behalf of the
American people, it must be conducted in ways that are transparent, free
from bias and conflicts of interest, and of the highest quality, integrity,
and credibility. These qualities are important not just within our own
organization and the federal government, but across the scientific
community, with its long established and highly honorable commitment to
maintaining strict adherence to ethical investigation and research. That's
why the agency has established—and embraced—a Scientific Integrity Policy
that builds upon existing Agency and government-wide policies and guidance
documents, explicitly outlining the EPA's commitment to the highest
standards of scientific integrity. And that commitment extends to any
scientist or organization who wishes to contribute to our efforts. All
EPA-funded research projects, whether conducted by EPA scientists or
outside grantees and collaborators, must comply with the agency's rigorous
quality assurance requirements.
To ensure that we have the best possible science, we are committed to
rigorous, independent peer review of the scientific data, models and
analyses that support our decisions. Peer review can take a number of
forms, ranging from external reviews by the National Academy of Sciences or
the EPA's federal advisory committees to contractor-coordinated reviews.
Consistent with OMB guidance, we require peer review for all EPA research
products and for all influential scientific information and highly
influential scientific assessments.
Among the external advisory committees is the EPA Science Advisory Board
(SAB). SAB reviews are conducted by groups of independent non-EPA
scientists with the range of expertise required for the particular advisory
topic. We invite the public to nominate experts for SAB panels and to
comment on candidates being considered by the EPA for SAB panels. The EPA
evaluates public comments and information submitted about SAB nominees. The
EPA reviews experts' confidential financial information to ensure that
there are no conflicts of interest.
SAB peer reviews are conducted in public sessions in compliance with the
open-government requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The
public is invited to attend and to provide oral and written comments for
consideration by the SAB. Public comments help to ensure that all relevant
scientific and technical issues are available to the SAB as it reviews the
science that will support our environmental decisions.
Another example is the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)
which provides independent advice to the EPA Administrator on the science
that supports the EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The CASAC
reviews the EPA's Integrated Science Assessments which deliver science in
support of the Clean Air Act.
Thanks to the science behind the implementation of the Clean Air Act, we
have made significant and far-reaching improvements in the health and
well-being of the American public. In 2010 alone, EPA estimates that
programs implemented pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
avoided 160,000 premature deaths millions of cases of respiratory problems
such as acute bronchitis and asthma attacks; 45,000 cardiovascular
hospitalizations; and 41,000 hospital admissions. These improvements have
all occurred during a period of economic growth; between1970 and 2012 the
Gross Domestic Product increased by 219 percent.
Through a transparent and open process, we have also committed to enhancing
the Agency's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment program.
A strong, scientifically rigorous IRIS Program is of critical importance,
and the EPA is in the process of: 1) enhancing the scientific integrity of
assessments; 2) enhancing the productivity of the Program; and 3)
increasing transparency so that issues are identified and debated early in
the process. In 2009, the EPA made significant enhancements to IRIS by
announcing a new 7-step assessment development process. Since that time,
the National Research Council (NRC) has made recommendations related to
enhancing the development of IRIS assessments. The EPA is making changes to
the IRIS Program to implement the NRC recommendations. These changes will
help the EPA produce more high quality IRIS assessments each year in a
timely and transparent manner to meet the needs of the Agency and the
public. A newly released NRC report is largely supportive of the enhanced
approach the EPA is taking to develop the IRIS assessment for inorganic
arsenic.
As I mentioned in my opening statement, science is the backbone of our
decision-making and our work is based on the principles of scientific
integrity and transparency that are both expected and deserved by the
American people. I am proud of the EPA's research efforts and the sound use
of science and technology to fulfill the EPA's mission to protect human
health and safeguard the natural environment.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. I am happy to
answer any questions you may have at this time.
