11.26.13
State
McComb mayor on a crusade to increase recycling in the Pike County
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
November 25, 2013 - 4:31 pm EST
MCCOMB, Mississippi — McComb Mayor Whitney Rawlings is on a crusade to
increase recycling in the Pike County.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/d2e579836c6744ac8b26a7926f77e998/MS--Pike-Recycling-Program
Mayor: Land near BSL sewage lagoon not a dump
WLOX
BAY ST. LOUIS, MS (WLOX) -
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is investigating
whether the city of Bay St. Louis' use of land around a sewage lagoon
violates any state statues. An anonymous caller accused the city of
creating an illegal dump site around the lagoon off of Old Spanish Trail.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24068781/mayor-land-near-bsl-sewage-lagoon-not-a-dump
Long Beach Harbor Struggling to Rebuild Due to Confusion with Environmental
Permits
WXXV
In September, Long Beach was awarded F.E.M.A. money to rebuild its harbor
after it was severely damaged in August of 2012 by Hurricane Isaac. Now,
F.E.M.A. is telling the city to stop construction because they will not be
paying for it.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Long-Beach-Harbor-Struggling-to-Rebuild-Due-to/GuSzU3oWMk2HKopSLhJ_2g.cspx
Long Beach harbor without fuel as FEMA clearance awaited
Agency says environmental study needed before Long Beach can build new dock
Sun Herald
BY ANITA LEE
LONG BEACH -- Recovery from Hurricane Isaac, a mere tropical storm on the
Coast, has been slower than expected in the city's harbor.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/11/24/5143916/long-beach-harbor-without-fuel.html
PEER recommends changes to agencies' contracting process
by MBJ Staff
Published: November 25,2013
JACKSON — PEER has completed a legislative request to review how state
agencies contract for goods, services and construction and the transparency
of the process. The requesting legislator was particularly concerned with
vendors' perspective of the contracting process.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2013/11/25/peer-recommends-changes-agencies-contracting-process/
National
Emissions of Methane in U.S. Exceed Estimates, Study Finds
NY Times
By MICHAEL WINES
Emissions of the greenhouse gas methane due to human activity were roughly
1.5 times greater in the United States in the middle of the last decade
than prevailing estimates, according to a new analysis by 15 climate
scientists published Monday in The Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/us/emissions-of-methane-in-us-exceed-estimates-study-finds.html?ref=earth&_r=0&pagewanted=print
Feds reveal data behind 'social cost of carbon'
The Hill
By Julian Hattem
The White House is publishing the data behind its decision to increase the
"social cost of carbon," which is used to calculate the benefits of
regulations cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energyenvironment/191338-feds-publish-social-cost-of-carbon-document
Dustup Grows Over Refinery Byproduct
Black 'Pet Coke" Blows Into Neighborhoods, Residents Say
Wall Street Journal
By BEN LEFEBVRE And BEN KESLING
Updated Nov. 25, 2013 9:07 p.m. ET
Mountains of a black, powdery refinery byproduct called petroleum coke are
piling up from Chicago to Corpus Christi, Texas, prompting local officials
to fight what residents say is a dusty scourge that coats houses, cars and
even pets.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304281004579220482772971704?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
DOE proposes new efficiency standards for electric motors
The Hill
By Laura Barron-Lopez
The Energy Department on Monday proposed a new rule to increase energy
efficiency for electric motors.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/191394-energy-dept-proposes-new-effieciency-regs-for-electric-motors
Opinion
SUN HERALD | Editorial: A little ray of sunshine
November 25, 2013
For years now, skeptics have labeled alternative energy a pipedream. Solar?
What about cloudy days? Wind? What about those calm days?
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/11/25/5146279/sun-herald-editorial-a-little.html
Press Releases
EPA Appoints New Scientific Integrity Official
Washington, DC – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
appointed Dr. Francesca Grifo as the agency's new scientific integrity
official. Dr. Grifo's responsibilities in her new role include coordinating
and carrying out EPA's scientific integrity policy and chairing a standing
EPA scientific integrity committee.
"Science is, and continues, to be the backbone of this agency and the
integrity of our science is central to the identity and credibility of our
work," said Gina McCarthy, administrator for EPA. "Dr. Grifo brings a
wealth of experience and knowledge to EPA that will help continue our work
to implement the agency's scientific integrity policy."
Dr. Francesca Grifo has many years of experience in scientific research,
academia, and science policy. She comes to EPA from the Union of Concerned
Scientists and has devoted her career to strengthening scientific integrity
in the government.
EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment depends upon the
integrity of science. It is the agency's key responsibility to conduct,
utilize, and communicate scientific information with the highest degree of
integrity, and transparency to the American public.
For more information:
http://www.epa.gov/research/htm/scientific-integrity.htm
