12.4.2013
Oil Spill
Oysters on the brink: 'It's not a decline; it's zero population'
Houma Today
By Xerxes Wilson
Published: Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 9:57 a.m.
Three years after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, local oystermen and
processors say Louisiana oysters are tough to come by this winter and the
state's $300 million annual industry is suffering.
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20131203/ARTICLES/131209931
BP gets support from United Kingdom, business advocates in fight for
business in U.S.
Katherine Sayre
The Times-Picayune
December 03, 2013 at 5:31 PM
The United Kingdom government and several business advocacy groups are
supporting oil giant BP's legal fight to be get future contracts with the
U.S. government, including drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and selling fuel
to federal agencies.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2013/12/bp_gets_support_from_united_ki.html#incart_river
Obstruction of justice trial begins for ex-BP engineer who deleted texts
The Associated Press
December 03, 2013 at 8:20 PM
NEW ORLEANS -- A federal prosecutor vowed Tuesday to prove that a former BP
drilling engineer was trying to destroy evidence when he deleted hundreds
of text messages from a cellphone after the company's 2010 oil spill in the
Gulf of Mexico.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/12/obstruction_of_justice_trial_b.html#incart_river
State
D'Iberville must forfeit $1.1 million of $3 million Ocean Expo grant
Sun Herald
BY MARY PEREZ
D'IBERVILLE -- The city must refund more than $1 million of a $3 million BP
grant awarded to cover some of the expense of bringing Ocean Expo aquarium
to D'Iberville, and the total could go higher.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/03/5165546/diberville-must-forfeit-11-million.html
Jackson County supervisors hear height issues with MacLand
Sun Herald
BY KAREN NELSONAND CHRISTINA STEUBE
December 2, 2013
PASCAGOULA -- The Jackson County Board of Supervisors promised Gayla
Crowley on Monday it would look into whether MacLand Disposal in Escatawpa
is greatly exceeding height limits on the piles of garbage and trash it
stores.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/02/5162151/jackson-county-supervisors-hear.html
State alleges mismanagement at Asian Americans for Change
Sun Herald
BY ANITA LEE
December 3, 2013
The chairperson of Asian Americans for Change used the nonprofit's money to
pay workers at her private, for-profit business and failed to justify at
least part of her own nonprofit salary of $61,100 for 2012, a substantial
increase over her previous pay, alleges a consent agreement she signed with
the secretary of state's Charities Division.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/03/5165375/state-alleges-mismanagement-at.html
Annual report gives good marks to Gautier's private-public works
partnership
Mississippi Press
Joanne Anderson
December 03, 2013 at 9:41 PM
GAUTIER, Mississippi -- "It's been an easy transition," ClearWater
Solutions engineer Chad Jordan said Tuesday night in his first annual
report on the public-private partnership between CWS and the city of
Gautier.
… Heard an update from Tammy L. Wisco, senior planner/senior engineer for
Eco-Systems, Jackson County's consultant on Stormwater Management, on Phase
II of the Stormwater Program and the upcoming Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality permit for the city.
The program includes several components, such as public
education/involvement, illicit discharge identification/elimination,
construction site storm water runoff control, post construction storm water
management and pollution prevention/good housekeeping.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/12/annual_report_gives_good_marks.html#incart_river
Bullet proof fabric used to build reinforced sand dunes
WLOX
HARRISON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) - A product used by the military to stop
bullets, might prevent the sand beach from blowing onto Highway 90. The
company that markets that product is using it to build a reinforced sand
dune.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24127934/bullet-proof-fabric-used-to-build-reinforced-sand-dunes
Public Service Commissioner Says Organization Needs to Change How It
Regulates
MPB
A top official at the Mississippi Public Service Commission says the
organization needs to do more to ensure utility companies around the state
are working in the best interest of Mississippians. MPB's Paul Boger
reports.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/public_service_commissioner_says_organization_needs_to_change_how_it_regula
Mississippi Supreme Court denies Pickering motion to stay newspaper case
Sun Herald will argue Pickering's contempt hearing should be public
Sun Herald
BY ANITA LEE
GULFPORT -- The Mississippi Supreme Court on Tuesday denied State Auditor
Stacey Pickering's motion to stay a Chancery Court lawsuit the Sun Herald
filed against him, which means a contempt hearing against Pickering and his
office should go forward as scheduled at 9:30 a.m. today at the Harrison
County Courthouse in Gulfport.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/03/5164731/mississippi-supreme-court-denies.html
Miss. signs retirement contract
Clarion Ledger
Great-West Financial has signed a five-year contract with the state Public
Employees' Retirement System to administer the Mississippi Government
Employees' Deferred Compensation Plan & Trust.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20131204/BIZ/312040007/Miss-signs-retirement-contract-with
National
Reforestation Along Mississippi River Will Reduce Agricultural Runoff,
Revive Gulf of Mexico
Nature World News
By James A. Foley
A proactive reforesting effort in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley
would lead to a significant reduction of agricultural runoff and sediment
flowing into the area's streams, rivers and, ultimately, the Gulf of
Mexico, according to new research by the US Forest Service.
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/5153/20131202/reforestation-along-mississippi-river-will-reduce-agricultural-runoff-revive-gulf.htm
Report: Prepare for climate tipping points
Politico
By: Andrew Restuccia
December 4, 2013 05:06 AM EST
Climate change isn't just a problem facing future generations, a new
scientific report warns, saying the planet could suffer serious and abrupt
climate threats in the next few years or decades — leaving nations with a
narrow window to adapt.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/national-research-council-report-climate-change-could-hit-tipping-points-environment-100615.html?hp=l11
Greens weigh in on EPA fracking guidance
The HIll
By Julian Hattem
Environmental organizations are telling the Obama administration how it
should write guidance for some hydraulic fracturing, or fracking,
operations.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/pending-regs/191948-greens-weigh-in-on-epa-fracking-guidance
In Fracking, Sand Is the New Gold
Energy Boom Fuels Demand for Key Ingredient Used in Drilling Wells; 100
Sand Mines in Wisconsin
Wall Street Journal
By ALISON SIDER and KRISTIN JONES
Dec. 2, 2013 7:49 p.m. ET
The race to drill for oil in the U.S. is creating another boom—in sand, a
key ingredient in fracking.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304868404579194250973656942
Nancy Sutley to leave White House environment job
Politico
By ANDREW RESTUCCIA |
12/3/13 4:12 PM EST
White House Council on Environmental Quality chairwoman Nancy Sutley will
leave her post in February, the White House said Tuesday.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/12/nancy-sutley-to-leave-white-house-environment-job-178739.html?hp=r9
Press Releases
USDA, EPA Partnership Supports Water Quality Trading To Benefit
Environment, Economy
WASHINGTON – The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced an expanded
partnership to support water quality trading and other market-based
approaches that provide benefits to the environment and economy.
"New water quality trading markets hold incredible potential to benefit
rural America by providing new income opportunities and enhancing
conservation of water and wildlife habitat," Agriculture Secretary Tom
Vilsack said. "Additionally, these efforts will strengthen businesses
across the nation by providing a new pathway to comply with regulatory
requirements."
"EPA is committed to finding collaborative solutions that protect and
restore our nation's waterways and the health of the communities that
depend on them," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "We're excited about
partnering with USDA to expand support for water quality trading, which
shows that environmental improvements can mean a better bottom line for
farmers and ranchers."
Water quality trading provides a cost-effective approach for regulated
entities to comply with EPA Clean Water Act requirements, including water
quality-based effluent limits in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System permits. Trading would allow regulated entities to purchase and use
pollutant reduction credits generated by other sources in a watershed. Cost
savings and other economic incentives are key motivators for parties
engaged in trading. Water quality trading can also provide additional
environmental and economic benefits, such as air quality improvements,
enhanced wildlife habitat, carbon capture and storage, and new income and
employment opportunities for rural America.
EPA and USDA are working together to implement and coordinate policies and
programs that encourage water quality trading. The Department and the
Agency will identify opportunities to work collaboratively to help improve
water quality trading programs across the country. Cooperative management
and technical assistance will improve resource management and public
services, and accelerate implementation.
USDA and EPA will:
- Coordinate and enhance communications and outreach to states,
agricultural producers, regulated sources, and interested third parties on
water quality trading;
- Engage expertise across agencies in the review of grants, loans or
technical assistance programs focused on water quality trading;
- Share information on the development of rules and guidance that have the
potential to affect water quality trading;
- Collaborate on developing tools and information resources for states and
credit generators to guide decision making, reduce costs in program design
and implementation, improve environmental performance, and foster
consistency and integrity across regional initiatives;
- Co-host a workshop by 2015 to share tools and resources available to
assist in stakeholder decision making and opportunities.
The purpose of this policy is to support states, interstate agencies and
tribes as they develop and implement water quality trading programs for
nutrients, sediments and other pollutants where opportunities exist to
achieve water quality improvements at reduced costs.
EPA and DOE Release Annual Fuel Economy Guide with 2014 Models
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
Department of Energy (DOE) are releasing the 2014 Fuel Economy Guide,
providing consumers with a valuable resource to identify and choose the
most fuel efficient and low greenhouse gas emitting vehicles that meet
their needs. The 2014 models include efficient and low-emission vehicles in
a variety of classes and sizes, ensuring a wide variety of choices
available for consumers.
"For American families, the financial and environmental bottom lines are
high priorities when shopping for a new vehicle," said Administrator Gina
McCarthy." This year's guide is not just about how the latest models stack
up against each other; it's about providing people the best information
possible to make smart decisions affecting their pocketbooks and the
planet."
"The Energy Department is committed to building a strong 21st century
transportation sector that cuts harmful pollution, saves consumer money and
leads to a more sustainable energy future," said Energy Secretary Ernest
Moniz. "By providing reliable, user-friendly fuel economy information, the
Fuel Economy Guide is helping Americans choose the right fuel efficient
vehicle for their family and business and save money at the pump."
The guide provides "Top Ten" lists allowing consumers to see the most
efficient advanced technology vehicles as well as the most efficient
gasoline and diesel powered vehicles. Consumers will also find a broad
range of information in the guide that can be helpful while shopping for a
new vehicle— including an estimated annual fuel cost for each vehicle. The
estimate is based on the vehicle's miles per gallon (mpg) rating and
national estimates for annual mileage and fuel prices. An online version of
the guide, available through www.fueleconomy.gov, allows consumers to enter
local gasoline prices and typical driving habits to receive a personalized
fuel cost estimate. Also, for the second consecutive year, the guide
includes a 1-10 greenhouse gas rating for each model, providing a quick and
easy way for consumers to identify vehicles with low greenhouse gas
emissions.
EPA fuel economy estimates are the best way to compare the fuel economy
among vehicles. Official fuel economy testing is controlled, repeatable,
and accounts for a variety of real-world conditions for the average driver,
like air conditioning usage and a variety of speed and temperature
conditions. Individual mileage will vary depending on factors such as
driving style, high air conditioning usage, carrying extra weight and
towing, and weather.
For tips on more efficient driving check out the gas mileage tips at
http://fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml.
More information, including a complete version of the guide and details on
the fuel economy labels: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ and at
http://fueleconomy.gov/m/ for mobile devices. EPA and DOE will update the
guide online as more 2014 vehicles become available.
