Friday, January 31, 2014

News Clippings 1/31/14

1.31.2014



Oil Spill







Gulf projects meeting won't be rescheduled in P.C.

By News Herald staff


Published: Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 20:16 PM.



PANAMA CITY -- A meeting to discuss millions in proposed early Gulf

restoration projects for Bay County will not be rescheduled, a state agency

says.

http://www.newsherald.com/news/government/gulf-projects-meeting-won-t-be-rescheduled-in-p-c-1.270394






State





Biloxi council balks at pace of massive project
Bids for $120M in sewer work set to go out
Sun Herald

BY MARY PEREZ






BILOXI -- City Council members said they are unhappy with the progress of

the massive project to repair or replace water, sewer and drainage damaged

by Hurricane Katrina and voted Tuesday not to pay the latest invoice from

HNTB, the company hired to oversee the work.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/30/5299182/biloxi-to-begin-infrastructure.html







Kemper plant cost rises to $4.06 billion
Sun Herald

BY MARY PEREZ




Southern Company added another $40 million to the cost of Mississippi

Power's Kemper power plant in a filing this week with the Securities and

Exchange Commission.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/29/5295175/kemper-plant-cost-rises-to-406.html





McDaniel targeted in Kemper plant ad


Geoff Pender





Clarion Ledger



A new radio ad is targeting U.S. Senate candidate and current state Sen.

Chris McDaniel for voting for the $1 billion bond bill for Mississippi

Power Co.'s embattled and overbudget $5 billion Kemper County power plant.

http://blogs.clarionledger.com/politics/2014/01/29/mcdaniels-targeted-in-kemper-plant-ad/




Biloxi City Council 'dragging its feet' on stadium project, councilmember
says
Mississippi Press


Warren Kulo


January 30, 2014 at 6:26 PM


BILOXI, Mississippi -- The Biloxi City Council Tuesday voted to table three
items relating to construction of a $36 million minor league baseball
stadium -- including one resolution necessary to collect the $15 million in
grant money pledged by Gov. Phil Bryant.


Approval of a subgrant agreement with the Mississippi Department of

Environmental Quality is necessary for the city to receive the $15 million,

funded by a BP grant.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/01/biloxi_council_dragging_its_fe.html




Pipeline bill dispute remains undecided
Tuesday deadline for legislation looms


Clarion Ledger



Allowing the Mississippi Public Service Commission to regulate disputes

among shippers of natural gas and its derivatives and pipeline owners could

unlock 250 million barrels of oil that's currently unreachable and generate

$100 million in annual tax revenue for the state.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140131/BIZ/301310020/Pipeline-bill-dispute-remains-undecided?nclick_check=1






New process from Mississippi company helps remove bacteria from oysters


MBJ
by Lisa Monti
Published: January 24,2014




Crystal Seas Seafood is expecting sales of its irradiated Crystal Clear
Oysters to ratchet up in the summer.


Crystal Seas Seafood in Pass Christian is processing a small portion of
their oysters with irradiation to eliminate health risks posed by the
naturally occurring Vibrio bacteria in Gulf waters that is highly
concentrated during summer months.

http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/01/24/new-process-mississippi-company-helps-remove-bacteria-oysters/





Mississippi Phosphates to add to its product line next month

The Associated Press



PASCAGOULA, Mississippi — Mississippi Phosphates Corp. plans to add to its

product line.

In a news release Thursday, the company said beginning in mid-February it

will add Monoammonium Phosphate to take advantage of broader market

opportunities.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-business/2014/01/mississippi_phosphates_to_add.html#incart_river





Regional





Louisiana-Army Corps agreement to provide new money for coastal restoration

projects

Mark Schleifstein



The Times-Picayune



January 30, 2014 at 6:00 PM



Louisiana may have found an unusual source of money to help pay for r

estoring the state's coastal wetlands: fees required of developers by the

Army Corps of Engineers to compensate for damage they expect to do to

wetlands.

http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/01/louisiana-army_corps_agreement.html#incart_river





National





Obama's agenda: EPA leading the charge on climate change
Politico
By: Erica Martinson
January 31, 2014 05:06 AM EST


Part of a POLITICO Pro Special Report series on the Obama administration's
executive action and regulatory agenda.

President Barack Obama's environmental regulators will spend the rest of
this year writing climate rules that would reshape the nation's electricity
supply, throw a cloud over the future of coal power and take the biggest
stride ever in throttling the nation's greenhouse gas pollution.


And that's just the beginning.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/obama-power-play-epa-agenda-climate-change-102894.html?hp=t2_7




EPA Chief: Climate-Change Regulation 'Done Deal' Despite Supreme Court


Review


National Journal


Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy is confident

that the Supreme Court won't throw a wrench—at least not a big one—into her

agency's power to limit carbon-dioxide emissions.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/epa-chief-climate-change-regulation-done-deal-despite-supreme-court-review-20140130







Fearing they'll 'be next,' industries unite against Obama's climate change
rules

The Hill

By Ben Goad




A coalition of industry heavyweights on Thursday launched what its calling
a do-or-die campaign to influence the regulation of U.S. energy production.


Seventy-six business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the American Gas
Association, have agreed to dedicate necessary resources to "vigorously
participate" in every facet of President Obama's effort to tackle climate
change through regulation, said Karen Harbert, president of the Chamber's
Institute for 21st Century Energy.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196968-business-plans-major-pushback-on-energy-regulation







Environmentalists slam new bay pact


CBF "shocked" draft agreement ignores toxic pollution, climate change

Baltimore Sun


Tim Wheeler


Environmentalists are slamming a new draft Chesapeake Bay restoration
agreement for failing to address toxic pollution or even mention climate
change as a complicating factor in the three-decade effort to revive the
ailing estuary.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bal-bmg-new-bay-cleanup-pact-gets-mixed-review-20140130,0,5189437.story





Federal rail agency collects minimal enforcement fines, documents show
BY CURTIS TATE

McClatchy Washington Bureau




WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation collects relatively

small civil penalties against the railroads it regulates, as concern grows

over the safety of shipping large volumes of crude oil and ethanol in tank

cars long known to be deficient, federal documents show.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/30/5299919/federal-rail-agency-collects-minimal.html





Looming report on Keystone XL said likely to disappoint pipeline opponents




Fox News



The State Department is expected to release an environmental analysis on
the Keystone XL oil pipeline as early as Friday that may disappoint
environmentalists and opponents of the proposed project, according to
individuals briefed on the matter.


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/31/critical-keystone-xl-report-to-be-released/



Senators push EPA to rethink changes to renewable fuel mandate

The Hill

By Laura Barron-Lopez


A group of senators is pushing the Environmental Protection Agency to
reconsider its proposed volume levels for the amount of biofuels that must
be blended by refiners into the nation's oil supply.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/197026-senators-push-epa-to-rethink-changes-to-renewable-fuel-mandate








Press Releases






EPA Releases Climate Assessment Update to National Stormwater Calculator



WASHINGTON –Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released
phase II of the National Stormwater Calculator and Climate Assessment Tool
package. The updated calculator includes future climate vulnerability
scenarios.

The calculator, a part of President Obama's Climate Change Action Plan, is
a desktop application that estimates the annual amount of stormwater runoff
from a specific location. The calculator now includes changes in seasonal
precipitation levels, the effects of more frequent high-intensity storms,
and changes in evaporation rates based on validated climate change
scenarios by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

"Climate change threatens our health, our economy, and our environment,"
said Gina McCarthy, EPA Administrator. "As part of the President's Climate
Action Plan, this tool will help us better prepare for climate impacts by
helping build safer, sustainable, and more resilient water infrastructure."

The updated calculator includes climate models that can be incorporated
into the calculation of stormwater runoff. This adds future climate
scenarios to last year's phase I release, which included local soil
conditions, slope, land cover, historical rainfall records.

Users can enter any U.S. location and select different scenarios to learn
how specific green infrastructure changes, including inexpensive changes
such as rain barrels and rain gardens, can reduce stormwater runoff. This
information shows users how adding green infrastructure, which mimics
natural processes, can be one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce
stormwater runoff.

Every year billions of gallons of raw sewage, trash, household chemicals,
and urban runoff flow into our streams, rivers and lakes. Polluted
stormwater runoff can adversely affect plants, animals, and people. It also
negatively impacts our economy – from closed beaches to decreased fishing
in polluted areas. Green infrastructure can reduce the damage caused by
climate change by improving water quality in streams and rivers, protecting
groundwater sources, and enhancing recreational activities. Using the
calculator to choose the best green infrastructure options for an area is
an innovative and efficient way to promote healthy waters and support
sustainable communities.

More information on the National Stormwater Calculator and Climate
Assessment Tool package: http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/wswrd/wq/models/swc/

More information about the virtual climate resilience toolkit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf


More information on EPA's Green Infrastructure research:
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/index.cfm






EPA Awards Almost $9 Million in Grants to Researchers Working to Improve
Water Quality

WASHINGTON – Today at the 14th National Conference and Global Forum on
Science, Policy and the Environment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy announced grants to four research
institutions for innovative and sustainable water research to manage
harmful nutrient pollution. Nutrient pollution is one of America's most
widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems, and is caused by
excess nitrogen and phosphorus in waterways.

"These grants will go towards research to help us better manage nutrients
and better protect our precious water resources from the dangers of
nutrient pollution, especially in a changing climate," said Administrator
McCarthy.

When excessive nitrogen and phosphorus enter our waterways -- usually via
stormwater runoff and industrial activities -- our water can become
polluted. Nutrient pollution has impacted many streams, rivers, lakes, bays
and coastal waters for the past several decades, resulting in serious
environmental and health issues, and negatively impacting the economy. For
example, nutrient pollution can reduce oxygen levels in water, leading to
illnesses in fish and the death of large numbers of fish. In some cases
nutrient pollution leads to elevated toxins and bacterial growth in waters
that can make people sick.

The Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grants, announced by Administrator
McCarthy today, are an integral part of EPA's research on water quality and
availability. Improving existing water infrastructure is costly, which
makes creating new and sustainable approaches to water use, reuse and
nutrient management important.

These grants support sustainable water research and demonstration projects
consistent with a comprehensive strategy for managing nutrients and active
community engagement throughout the research process.

The following institutions received grants:

-- Pennsylvania State University Center for Integrated Multi-scale Nutrient
Pollution Solutions, to focus on nutrient flows in Pennsylvania and the
Chesapeake basin;

-- University of South Florida Center for Reinventing Aging Infrastructure
for Nutrient Management, to support Tampa Bay and similar coastal areas as
they face problems of aging wastewater collection and treatment systems,
and rapid population growth;

-- Colorado State University, Center for Comprehensive, Optimal, and
Effective Abatement of Nutrients, for linking physical, biological, legal,
social and economic aspects of nutrient management in the Western and
Eastern United States; and

-- Water Environment Research Foundation, Alexandria, Va, National Center
for Resource Recovery and Nutrient Management, for innovative research in
nutrient reduction through resource recovery and behavioral factors
affecting acceptance and implementation.

For more information on the grants and projects, visit
http://epa.gov/ncer/nutrient.

For more information on EPA-funded research supporting water quality and
availability, visit http://www.epa.gov/research/waterscience.





EPA and Freddie Mac to Cut Carbon Pollution and Increase Affordability of
Multifamily Buildings



WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Energy Star
program and Freddie Mac have signed an agreement that will help to cut
carbon pollution while increasing the affordability of multifamily housing
properties. The agreement outlines strategies to save water, energy and
money for multifamily property owners and residents.

"Boosting energy and water efficiency not only saves money and makes these
properties a better investment for owners and more affordable for families
who live there -- it is also an important step in the President's
commitment to fighting climate change by cutting energy waste in our
nation's buildings," said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for
EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "By making it easier to secure financing
for energy efficiency investments and providing data about energy use and
efficiency opportunities, these strategies will create lasting
environmental and public health benefits while making multifamily buildings
more efficient and valuable."

"Freddie Mac is proud to partner with the EPA in this effort," said
Mitchell Resnick, Freddie Mac Multifamily vice president of loan pricing
and securitization. "As one of the largest Commercial Mortgage-Backed
Securities (CMBS) issuers in the country, we are looking to guide the
industry and the CMBS market towards a greater sensitivity to
environmentally responsible lending and investing. This partnership is the
first of what we hope are many steps in that direction. We are looking at
how energy efficiency improves the financial viability of the apartments we
finance, and most importantly its impact on the affordability of rental
housing."

Roughly one-third of Americans live in apartments within multifamily
buildings, spending approximately $22 billion on energy every year. Rising
energy costs are contributing to the decline in affordability for many of
these Americans. Housing industry studies have projected that multifamily
properties can become 30 percent more efficient by 2020, unlocking $9
billion in energy savings and preventing more than 35 million metric tons
of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

In support of the President's Climate Action Plan, this memorandum of
understanding outlines key strategies to make multifamily housing more
affordable by encouraging building owners and tenants to benchmark their
energy and water performance and take steps to improve efficiency. Among
those strategies:

- Freddie Mac will explore the collection of energy and water performance
data from property owners during the loan underwriting and asset management
processes.

- By demonstrating the financial value of energy and water efficiency to
lenders and borrowers, Freddie Mac hopes to be able to influence lending
practices in ways that encourage investments in energy efficiency and make
multifamily housing units more affordable.

- EPA will assist Freddie Mac with these, and other, goals, by providing
technical and educational support in the use of the Energy Star Portfolio
Manager® energy management and tracking tool as well as other Energy Star
resources.

The President's Climate Action Plan calls for helping multifamily buildings
cut waste and becoming at least 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020.
While EPA has already been working with Fannie Mae and the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development, this latest agreement with Freddie Mac is
another critical step forward in meeting the President's goal. Together,
these three organizations influence the largest sources of residential and
multifamily lending in the country.

Products, homes and buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR label prevent
greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency requirements
set by the U.S. EPA. In 2012 alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY
STAR, saved $26 billion on their utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas
emissions equal to the annual electricity use from 35 million homes. From
the first ENERGY STAR qualified computer in 1992, the ENERGY STAR label can
now be found on products in more than 70 different categories, with more
than 4.5 billion sold over the past 20 years. Over 1.4 million new homes
and 20,000 office buildings, schools and hospitals have earned the ENERGY
STAR label.

More information on EPA's ENERGY STAR buildings program:
www.energystar.gov/buildings

More Information on Freddie Mac: www.FreddieMac.com

Thursday, January 30, 2014

News Clippings 1.30.14

1.30.2014



Oil Spill





BP Deepwater Horizon disaster offered lessons for more rapid, cooperative

response, scientists say

Benjamin Alexander-Bloch

The Times-Picayune

January 29, 2014 at 2:49 PM



The 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill showed scientists that they need to

get better at landing funding for on-the-ground research sooner after

environmental disasters, so they can better measure its impact,

participants at a national scientific conference on the spill said

Wednesday.

http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/01/bp_deepwater_horizon_oil_spill_2.html





State





Lawmakers back 5-year farm bill
Clarion Ledger


WASHINGTON — Mississippi lawmakers voted for a long-awaited five-year farm

bill Wednesday that would end direct payments and expand popular crop

insurance programs while cutting federal food assistance used by millions

of Americans.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140130/BIZ/301300041/Lawmakers-back-5-year-farm-bill







National





EPA, Texas Reach Deal on Clean Air Plan


DALLAS January 30, 2014
By TERRY WALLACE Associated Press


Federal and state environmental officials said Wednesday that they've
reached an agreement on portions of the Texas clean air plan that for years
have been points of contention.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/epa-texas-reach-deal-clean-air-plan-22290272






Soybean growers to EPA: Adjust up biodiesel volume in Renewable Fuel
Standard

Jan. 29, 2014 | Southeast Farm Press




American Soybean Association President Ray Gaesser urged Environmental

Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy to amend EPA's proposed 2014

and 2015 Renewable Fuel Standard volume requirements for biomass-based

diesel that, if left unchanged, would significantly damage the nation's

growing biodiesel industry and adversely impact soybean growers.

http://southeastfarmpress.com/soybeans/soybean-growers-epa-adjust-biodiesel-volume-renewable-fuel-standard




Arizona bill would nullify EPA regs

The Hill

By Ben Goad


More than three-dozen Arizona state lawmakers have signed onto legislation
meant to free the state of all regulations imposed by the Environmental
Protection Agency.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energy-environment/196898-arizona-bill-would-nullify-epa-regs

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

News Clippings 1.29.14

1.29.2014



Oil Spill





Gulf Coast residents not showing higher chemical exposure post-BP oil spill

than rest of nation

Benjamin Alexander-Bloch

The Times-Picayune

January 28, 2014 at 5:21 PM



Gulf Coast residents in areas affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil

spill don't appear to have higher chemical exposure than others across the

nation, the head of the National Institute of Environmental Health

Sciences' epidemiology branch said Tuesday.

http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/01/human_health_and_the_bp_deepwa.html







Gulf restoration projects meeting set for Wednesday

By News Herald


Published: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 09:59 AM.



PANAMA CITY — Residents can offer feedback Wednesday on the more than $5

million in proposed projects for Bay County, funded through BP money.


http://www.newsherald.com/outdoors/gulf-restoration-projects-meeting-set-for-wednesday-1.268817






Ex-BP well managers face criminal charges in spill

AP


Two former BP well-site managers have failed to win the dismissal of
involuntary manslaughter charges over their roles in the 2010 Gulf of
Mexico oil-drilling disaster, which killed 11 people.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2014/01/29/nwr-briefs-0129-go5qrlf4-1.html





BP Continued Suspension From New U.S. Contracts Sought


Bloomberg


By Laurel Calkins - Jan 29, 2014


BP Plc. (BP/)'s suspension from new government contracts and oil leases

after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill should continue because, government

lawyers argued, the company hasn't demonstrated it's a responsible

contractor.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-29/bp-continued-suspension-from-new-u-s-contracts-sought.html





State





Kemper plant costs could rise another $40M
Fourth straight quarter of increases
AP


The Southern Co. says it may cost another $40 million to finish the $5

billion-plus power plant in eastern Mississippi's Kemper County.



http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20140129/NEWS01/301290018/Kemper-plant-costs-could-rise-another-40M





Trashy Mess in Mantee


WCBI


Webster County, MS(WCBI)-A fight over the poor condition of a road and a
70-year-old man's mobility is turning into a trashy mess in Webster County.


http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/video-trashy-mess-in-mantee





National





'Climate change is a fact,' Obama declares
The Hill

By Laura Barron-Lopez


President Obama said the debate over climate change is settled during his
State of the Union speech on Tuesday evening.

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196757-obama-climate-change-is-a-fact







Restaurants ask EPA to cut back ethanol mandate

The Hill

By Tim Devaney


A group of restaurants owners on Tuesday urged the Environmental Protection
Agency to reduce the amount of ethanol that fuel producers are required to
mix with gasoline, arguing the mandate raises their business costs.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energy-environment/196709-restaurants-ask-epa-to-cut-back-ethanol-mandate

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

News Clippings 1.28.14

1.28.2014



Oil Spill





BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill's impact on Gulf of Mexico fisheries

discussed

Benjamin Alexander-Bloch



The Times-Picayune



January 27, 2014 at 5:10 PM



As the 2014 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference

continued on Monday in Mobile, Ala., some scientists discussed the

potential impacts of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Gulf fisheries,

often describing the fishery as better off than many think but always

adding that there still remains much ongoing research.

http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/01/bp_deepwater_horizon_oil_spill_1.html





Oil spill conference touches on Gulf fisheries and social toll in

communities

Press-Register



Michael Finch II



January 27, 2014 at 9:55 PM



MOBILE, Alabama – Researchers discussed Monday some of the uncertainties

and challenges of dealing with the fallout from the Deepwater Horizon oil

spill at the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Conference.

http://blog.al.com/live/2014/01/oil_spill_conference_focuses_o.html#incart_river





BP's New Tactic in Oil Spill Claims: Go After the 'Special Master'
Wall Street Journal


BPPLCBP.LN +0.09% has been complaining for a year that money it has

promised to pay to financial victims of the Deepwater Horizon disaster has

been doled out to unworthy, uninjured claimants. In courthouse filings and

newspaper ads, BP has targeted companies it says were not really harmed by

the accident and their lawyers, as the oil giant's estimate of the tab

ballooned from $7.8 billion to $9.4 billion.

http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2014/01/27/bps-new-tactic-in-oil-spill-claims-go-after-the-special-master/







State





Janus statements to FBI could incriminate Scott Walker, Walker says in
motion for separate trial
Sun Herald


GULFPORT -- Coast businessman Scott Walker is requesting a separate trial

on corruption charges because he says he could be incriminated by a

statement his codefendant, former D'Iberville City Manager Michael Janus,

made to the FBI.





http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/27/5290345/janus-statements-to-fbi-could.html







National






Lawmakers Reach Deal on Farm Bill



Measure Expected to Cut Food-Stamp Funding by About $8 Billion Over 10
Years; House to Vote This Week
Wall Street Journal





By KRISTINA PETERSON


Updated Jan. 27, 2014 8:12 p.m. ET


Congress moved closer to ending the two-year struggle to pass a new farm

bill when senior lawmakers Monday unveiled a bipartisan agreement

overhauling agriculture policy for the next five years.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304691904579347290833722698?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5

Monday, January 27, 2014

News Clippings 1.27.14

1.27.14



Oil Spill





At BP, There's Optimism in the Corner Office


NY Times

By STANLEY REEDJAN. 24, 2014

LONDON — It has been nearly four years since the oil drilling disaster in
the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 people and brought the wrath of the United
States government and legal system down on the British energy giant BP.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/25/business/energy-environment/bp-still-struggling-to-put-gulf-spill-behind-it.html?_r=0




Gulf of Mexico oil spill conference discusses debunking myths and

misconceptions

Benjamin Alexander-Bloch

The Times-Picayune

January 26, 2014 at 6:52 PM



The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference kicked off on

Sunday (Jan. 26) in Mobile, Ala., where more than 800 oil spill-related

experts are discussing their scientific research, the status of research

and problems communicating that research from impacts on fisheries to the

fate oil-spill residues as the fourth anniversary of the BP Deepwater

Horizon oil spill approaches in April.

http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/01/gulf_of_mexico_oil_spill_confe.html#incart_river





Local workshop to focus on minorities, BP restoration
Pensacola News Journal


Representatives of the U.S. Department of Interior and the state Florida

will visit Pensacola on Tuesday to discuss how minorities can influence the

use of millions of dollars in fines arising from the BP oil spill.

http://www.pnj.com/article/20140127/NEWS10/301270006?gcheck=1






Judge asked to remove BP settlement probe leader
AP


By Michael Kunzelman January 24, 2014


NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lawyer targeted in an investigation of the settlement

program for compensating victims of BP's 2010 Gulf oil spill has asked a

federal judge to disqualify former FBI director Louis Freeh from reviewing

and acting on any allegations involving the attorney.

http://www.businessweek.com/printer/articles/399137?type=ap






Ex-BP engineer seeks new trial
AP


NEW ORLEANS — A former BP engineer is basing his request for a new trial on

improper interviews with jurors who had convicted him of trying to obstruct

a federal investigation of the company's 2010 Gulf oil spill, federal

prosecutors say.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/viewart/20140127/NEWS01/301270003/Ex-BP-engineer-seeks-new-trial




ANALYSIS-BP back in favour despite spill legacy, Russia doubts
Reuters

By Andrew Callus



LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - If you had spent 10 pounds on BP shares on April
19, 2010, you would have just nine pounds now, including dividends. A poor
investment, however you cut it, but also a remarkable recovery.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/01/26/bp-comeback-idINL5N0KV3VN20140126








Nearly Four Years After Deepwater Horizon, Has BP's Brand Image Recovered?





Forbes





Anyone doubting the significance of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in

relation to BP's public image must have spent the second half of that year

in a cave. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2014/01/24/nearly-four-years-after-deepwater-horizon-has-bps-brand-image-recovered/







State





Owner of biodiesel plant says he will rebuild
WTVA


NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WTVA) -- The owner of the JNS Biofuels plant near New
Albany said despite the total loss of the plant, he expects to rebuild.
http://www.wtva.com/news/national/story/Owner-of-biodiesel-plant-says-he-will-rebuild/_sLV1rq6DUCnTGn-nK6XRQ.cspx






Biofuel owner had Arkansas losses, fines


By Dennis Seid



Daily Journal



The owner of the biodiesel plant in New Albany that exploded last week said

his losses could exceed $500,000, but that he intends to rebuild.



http://djournal.com/news/biofuel-owner-arkansas-losses-fines/






Water conservation highlights Expo
Bolivar Commercial
by Paisley Boston


Farmers and spectators came out to enjoy a day that was primarily focused
on Mississippi's number one industry, agriculture.

Over 100 booths lined the walls and isles of the Bolivar County Exposition
Center – each booth had tables that were piled high with information about
various farming practices and irrigation techniques.
http://www.bolivarcom.com/view/full_story/24447321/article-Water-conservation-highlights-Expo?instance=latest_articles




Recycle with new R'land bins
Madison County Herald


The City of Ridgeland recently purchased five solar-powered recycling

compactors through a solid waste grant provided by the Mississippi

Department of Environmental Quality.

http://www.mcherald.com/article/20140124/NEWS/301240003/Recycle-new-R-land-bins







Keep Cleveland Beautiful underway
Bolivar Commercial
by Courtney Warren

Keep Cleveland Beautiful, a group under the Cleveland-Bolivar County
Chamber of Commerce will hold a kickoff with Keep Mississippi Beautiful in
April and volunteers will cleanup and revamp specific areas in the city.
http://www.bolivarcom.com/view/full_story/24447337/article-Keep-Cleveland-Beautiful-underway?instance=latest_articles



INFINITY is 'Evolving'
Sea Coast Echo


By Dwayne Bremer
Jan 24, 2014


The INFINITY Science Center in Hancock County is fast approaching its
second birthday and officials said last week that the center is now
focusing on refining its scientific content and visitor experience.
http://www.seacoastecho.com/article_7644.shtml#.UuZhhxDnaUm





Vibration study to determine if aquarium can move forward

WLOX


D'IBERVILLE, MS (WLOX) -Dr. Moby Solangi told WLOX last week, he wants the
city to buy more land so the aquarium could be moved away from a new
interstate off-ramp under construction.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24543827/a-vibration-study-must-be-done-before-aquarium-projects-moves-forward





Regional





Heather McTeer Toney


Jackson Free Press


Last week U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy

announced that Heather McTeer Toney is President Barack Obama's selection

for regional administrator for EPA's regional office in Atlanta.


http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2014/jan/24/heather-mcteer-toney/






Strategy looks to river diversions for help with Gulf 'dead zone'

Baton Rouge Advocate

By AMY WOLD

A proposed new strategy for reducing the annual "dead zone" off Louisiana's

Gulf coast relies heavily on the promise of river water diversions to

remove nutrients that deplete oxygen levels to the point they no longer

support aquatic life.


http://theadvocate.com/home/8090466-125/strategy-looks-to-river-diversions





Plan could boost South's lagging recycling
By SARITA CHOUREY



MORRIS NEWS SERVICE





Old plastic bottles, glass containers, discarded steel and used paper

packaging may seem like trash.

http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2014-01-26/plan-could-boost-souths-lagging-recycling#.UuZtmBDnaUk







National




Judges Consider Uniformity Requirement For EPA Regions in Air Permitting

Case

Friday, January 24, 2014



Bloomberg



By Jessica Coomes



Jan. 17 --Federal appeals court judges indicated Jan. 17 that the

Environmental Protection Agency may have overstepped its authority when it

required regional offices to apply different air permitting requirements in

different states (Nat'l Envtl. Dev. Ass'n's Clean Air Project v. EPA, D.C.

Cir., No. 13-1035, oral arguments 1/17/14).



http://www.bna.com/judges-consider-uniformity-n17179881546/





Railroad tank-car safety woes date decades before crude oil concerns
BY CURTIS TATE

McClatchy Washington BureauJanuary 27, 2014


WASHINGTON — Long before crude oil and ethanol were transported by

railroads in large quantities in minimally reinforced tank cars, other

flammable and poisonous materials were riding around the country in the

same cars, threatening major cities and waterways.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/27/5283510/railroad-tank-car-safety-woes.html





Farm Groups Sue to Stop Data Disclosure


· By Philip Brasher
· Roll Call
· Jan. 24, 2014, 6:18 p.m.
·
Even as they raise concerns about corporate use of farm data, farm groups
are turning to Congress to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from
releasing information that it compiles on agricultural operations it
regulates.
http://www.rollcall.com/news/farm_groups_sue_to_stop_data_disclosure-230371-1.html?pos=oplyh

Friday, January 24, 2014

News Clippings 1.24.14

1.24.13



Oil Spill





Researchers to hold conference in Mobile to discuss after-effects of the BP
oil spill
Press-Register
Michael Finch II
January 23, 2014 at 9:10 PM

MOBILE, Alabama -- Almost four years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

and researchers are still grappling with the after effects of the untold

amount of the substance left behind in the Gulf of Mexico.

http://blog.al.com/live/2014/01/researchers_to_hold_conference.html#incart_river





State






Crew extinguishes fire burning since Wednesday at Miss. biodiesel plant


By HOLBROOK MOHR Associated Press

January 23, 2014 - 10:17 pm



JACKSON, Mississippi — A fire at a north Mississippi biofuels plant has

been extinguished.



The fire, put out about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, had been burning since early
Wednesday at the plant near New Albany, but no injuries were reported.
There were also at least three explosions at JNS Biofuels, formerly known
as North Mississippi Biodiesel.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/e32b921a6e1742159580b0723b293fa7/MS--Plant-Fire





Fire Extinguished


WCBI


New Albany, Miss. (WCBI) – The fire at the JNS Biofuels Plant was
extinguished Thursday evening. Local, state, and federal officials also
took preliminary steps to start their investigation to determine what
sparked the blast that destroyed the plant.


http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/fire-extinguished-at-new-albany-biodiesel-plant





Union County plant fire is out
WTVA



UNION COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) — Officials say the fire at a biodiesel plant
north of New Albany is out.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Union-County-plant-fire-is-out/3LSVcJcGAk-nPXD8gHskrQ.cspx





Fire extinguished at biodiesel plant; investigation continues


By JB Clark



Daily Journal



NEW ALBANY – Officials have put out a biodiesel fire that has burned for

the better part of two days.

http://djournal.com/news/fire-extinguished-biodiesel-plant-investigation-continues/




Fire out at New Albany bio-diesel plant

WMC


NEW ALBANY, MS -(WMC-TV) –The fire is finally out at the JNS Biofuels plant
in New Albany, Mississippi and investigators can begin working to figure
out what caused three separate explosions at the plant.
http://www.wmctv.com/story/24537661/fire-out-at-bio-diesel-plant-in-new-albany





Biofuel plant blaze damage may total millions
Averting environmental hazards goal during cleanup of biodiesel production
facility
Clarion Ledger


Thirty-eight hours after an initial explosion rocked a rural Union County

biodiesel plant, emergency responders extinguished the fire just before 8

p.m. Thursday.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140124/NEWS01/301240019/Biofuel-plant-blaze-damage-may-total-millions





Grant funds new compactors in Ridgeland parks
Solar recycling units save landfill space
Clarion Ledger


Sticking with its commitment to keep green, Ridgeland used state grant

funds to purchase five solar-powered recycling compactors for its parks.



The city now has 10 of the compactors, and their cost-saving measures are

just one of the highlights Mayor Gene McGee said they offer his city.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140124/NEWS01/301240021/Grant-funds-new-compactors-Ridgeland-parks?gcheck=1







Sen. Brice Wiggins of Pascagoula files DMR Accountability and

Reorganization Act

Mississippi Press

April M. Havens

January 23, 2014 at 4:05 PM



State Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Pascagoula, has filed a bill to hold the

Department of Marine Resources more accountable in the future.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/01/sen_brice_wiggins_files_dmr_ac.html#incart_river





Bill aims to keep DMR in South Mississippi, improve accountability
Senator also wants to improve agency's accountability
Sun Herald

BY ANITA LEE



A bill filed in the state Senate is designed to keep the Mississippi

Department of Marine Resources intact, allow timely agency reorganization

and improve accountability, said Sen. Brice Wiggins, the bill's sponsor.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/23/5281108/sen-wiggins-files-bill-calling.html





Dems fight attack on so-called '13th check'
Clarion Ledger


A bill to stop state employees retiring after July 1 from receiving a

cost-of-living adjustment, referred to as the "13th check," until they turn

65 appears destined for the dustbin.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140124/NEWS010504/301240020/Dems-fight-attack-called-13th-check-






Mississippi PERS director against delaying '13th check'

The Associated Press

January 23, 2014 at 6:12 PM



JACKSON, Mississippi --The head of the Mississippi Public Employees

Retirement System says she opposes a bill that would make state and local

government retirees wait until they're 65 to collect an annual

cost-of-living adjustment known as the "13th check," even if they retire

years earlier.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/01/mississippi_pers_director_agai.html#incart_river





National





Obama: Fossil fuels are here to stay, so let's clean them up

The Hill

By Laura Barron-Lopez




President Obama said he is putting a big priority on his carbon action plan
in order to keep fossil fuels viable in a world that is battling climate
change.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196230-obama-fossil-fuels-are-here-to-stay-so-lets-clean-them-up





NTSB pushes regulators to improve safety of crude oil trains
BY CURTIS TATE

McClatchy Washington BureauJanuary 23, 2014



WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board called Thursday for

federal regulators to take more aggressive steps to protect the public and

the environment from oil spills and fires from trains.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/23/5281441/ntsb-pushes-regulators-to-improve.html








Top Republican says EPA fraudster revelations 'first layer of a very big
onion'




Fox News



The top Republican on the Senate environment committee said Thursday that
newly released transcripts showing an ex-EPA official discussing his
widespread fraud against the government -- as well as a pet "project" to
"modify" capitalism -- are likely "the first layer of a very big onion" at
the EPA.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/24/top-republican-says-epa-fraudster-claims-first-layer-very-big-onion/





Opinion





SUN HERALD | Editorial: Betrayal of public trust should not be rewarded


Employees of state government should not profit if they betray their

positions of public trust.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/23/5281577/sun-herald-editorial-betrayal.html

Thursday, January 23, 2014

News Clippings 1.23.14

1.23.14



Oil Spill





Ex-BP engineer to seek judge's recusal from case

AP


NEW ORLEANS (AP) -


Lawyers for a former BP engineer convicted of trying to obstruct a probe of
the company's 2010 Gulf oil spill plan to seek the disqualification of the
federal judge who presided over their client's trial last month.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24519665/ex-bp-engineer-to-seek-judges-recusal-from-case





Gulf fish studied for safety following Deepwater Horizon oil spill


UAB News


By Nicole Wyatt


The worst oil spill in U.S. history occurred when the Deepwater Horizon oil
rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, killing 11 people and
damaging a wellhead that led to 4.9 million barrels of oil leaking into the
ocean. In the aftermath of this event, one potential hazard was the safety
of eating seafood caught from the affected area.
http://www.uab.edu/news/latest/item/4055-gulf-fish-studied-for-safety-following-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill





State





Evacuation zone near biodiesel plant grows
Predawn fire, explosion rock facility outside New Albany
Clarion Ledger


Firefighters and emergency workers in Union County late Wednesday expanded

an area evacuated earlier in the day when a predawn fire and explosion

rocked North Mississippi Biodiesel on Mississippi 15 just outside New

Albany, causing a blaze that burned through the day and evening.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140123/NEWS01/301230035/Evacuation-zone-near-biodiesel-plant-grows







Fire Rocks Biofuel Plant


WCBI


NEW ALBANY, MISS. (WCBI) – A massive fire destroys a biofuel plant in Union
County . The blaze and explosions kept a stretch of Highway 15 closed for
most of the day.
http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/video-fire-rocks-biofuel-plant-closes-part-of-highway





Crews continue to fight fire hours after bio-diesel plant explosion

WMC


NEW ALBANY, MS -(WMC-TV) - The Mississippi Highway Patrol says the fire at
the bio-diesel facility is still burning in New Albany. Action News 5
cameras captured the second explosion that happened at the plant Wednesday
afternoon.
http://www.wmctv.com/story/24516296/explosion-at-bio-diesel-facility-no-injuries-reported





Another explosion hits biodiesel plant
WTVA


NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WTVA) -- Emergency officials in New Albany says there
has been another explosion at a bio-diesel facility.
http://www.wtva.com/mostpopular/story/UPDATE-Another-explosion-hits-biodiesel-plant/hYev8biQjEaL5seEUV16nw.cspx



Homes evacuated, schools closed due to plant explosions


Daily Journal



Approximately 50 homes are being evacuated due to the Tuesday morning

explosion at a Union County biodiesel plant.



http://djournal.com/news/homes-evacuated-schools-closed-due-plant-explosions/








Big blast rocks Union County; no one injured


By Errol Castens



Daily Journal



NEW ALBANY – A 40,000-gallon tank of fuel exploded at the JNS Biodiesel

plant just north of New Albany early Wednesday morning, rattling homes and

sending a fireball hundreds of feet into the air, followed by a

tornado-like column of smoke that could be seen for miles.

http://djournal.com/news/big-blast-rocks-union-county-no-one-injured/





Homes evacuated as biofuels plant burns


by Associated Press
Published: January 23,2014

NEW ALBANY — A voluntary evacuation of about 50 homes near a burning
biodiesel facility in north Mississippi was ordered late yesterday,
officials said.

http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/01/23/homes-evacuated-biofuels-plant-burns/





BlueFire project 'by no means dead'

Itawamba County Times



by Adam Armour January 22, 2014



After more than four years with seemingly little movement, Fulton's

would-be ethanol plant might seem ready to be declared legally dead. But

county officials say rumors of the plant's demise have been greatly

exaggerated.



http://itawambatimes.com/2014/01/22/bluefire-project-means-dead/





County residents to get warnings on trash
The Associated PressJanuary 23, 2014



GREENVILLE, MISS. — The Washington County Board of Supervisors has voted to

give residents a warning before ticketing them for dropping loose trash in

their curbside collection bins.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/23/5279326/county-residents-to-get-warnings.html





Bryant hits familiar themes in State of State Address
Clarion Ledger


Gov. Phil Bryant in his third State of the State Address said his goals are

for every Mississippian to be able to find a job here at home, get a

quality education, be born into a "mature two-parent family" and rest easy

that their tax dollars are being spent wisely.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140123/NEWS01/301230022/Bryant-hits-familiar-themes-State-State-Address







Regional





Tough love: Can a local leader save the EPA's troubled southeast region?

Grist

By Brentin Mock



Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) picked Heather McTeer
Toney, a former Mississippi mayor, as the new director of its historically
troubled southeast region.
http://grist.org/climate-energy/tough-love-can-a-local-leader-save-the-epas-troubled-southeast-region/






National






ALA sues EPA over U.S. air quality standards

St. Louis American

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 2:13 pm


The American Lung Association is putting pressure on the government to

protect public health from ozone hazards.


Yesterday, the ALA asked a federal court to force the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency to complete its review of national air quality standards

as required by the Clean Air Act.

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_8a42f984-83a1-11e3-9d33-001a4bcf887a.html





Natural gas locomotives may prove cheaper, cleaner
BY JOSH FUNK

Associated PressJanuary 23, 2014



OMAHA, NEB. — The diesel-burning locomotive, the workhorse of American

railroads since World War II, will soon begin burning natural gas — a

potentially historic shift that could cut fuel costs, reduce pollution and

strengthen the advantage railroads hold over trucks in long-haul shipping.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/23/5279151/natural-gas-locomotives-may-prove.html





Ex-EPA official told lawmakers of project to 'modify the DNA' of capitalism


Fox News


A former high-ranking EPA official who recently was sentenced to prison for
fraud told lawmakers last month that, before he left the agency, he was
working on a "project" examining ways to "modify the DNA of the capitalist
system."
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/22/ex-epa-official-told-lawmakers-project-to-modify-dna-capitalism/?intcmp=latestnews





Docs shed new light on EPA's phony CIA spy

The Hill

By Ben Goad


The high-level Environmental Protection Agency official convicted of posing
as part-time CIA operative and defrauding taxpayers to the tune of hundreds
of thousands of dollars concocted the scheme specifically as a way to steal
time from the government, he told congressional investigators.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196162-docs-shed-new-light-on-epas-phony-spy




Inside the mind of an EPA con man
Politico
By: Andrew Restuccia
January 22, 2014 07:46 PM EST


The EPA con man who spent years posing as a part-time CIA spy, fooling
federal officials and collecting nearly $1 million in unearned pay, says he
exploited the trust of his colleagues.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/inside-the-mind-of-an-epa-con-man-102499.html?hp=l3




'Secret dealing'? Emails show cozy relationship between EPA, environmental
groups


Fox News





Newly disclosed emails suggest senior policy officials at the Environmental
Protection Agency and environmental groups are working closely to kill the
Keystone XL pipeline, critics say.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/22/emails-show-cozy-relationship-between-epa-environmental-groups-on-keystone-coal/?intcmp=latestnews





Opinion





Neeley: EPA leaks are an inevitable part of big government

Governments thrive on data that make us more vulnerable
Houston Chronicle
By Josiah Neeley | January 22, 2014



Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency released the personal
information of about 100,000 farmers and ranchers in 29 states to
environmentalist groups.
http://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Neeley-EPA-leaks-are-an-inevitable-part-of-big-5166483.php?cmpid=opedhphcat





Press Releases





Gov. Phil Bryant Details Mississippi's Progress, Goals


during Third State of the State Address


Governor Also Announces New Employment, Health Care Initiatives





JACKSON—In his third State of the State address, Gov. Phil Bryant detailed
the progress Mississippi has made toward the objectives he outlined in his
2012 Inaugural Address. He also set new objectives for public education,
public safety and the state's fiscal health.





"Two years ago we began our journey together," Gov. Bryant told a joint
session of the Mississippi Legislature. "Our goal was simple: We would
accomplish great things for all Mississippians.





"In those two years, my administration has endeavored to work with you to
advance the common good…so we set about with four fundamental beliefs
guiding our plan for the future.





"First, we believe every Mississippian should have the opportunity to be
gainfully employed right here at home. Second, every Mississippian must
have the opportunity to learn from the best educational system we can
offer. Third, we believe that every Mississippian deserves to be born into
a mature, two-parent family. Finally, we believe that every Mississippian
should be certain that his or her tax dollars are put to proper use."





The governor reported that Mississippi has made significant progress toward
these goals in the past two years.





Under Bryant's administration, the state's economic development efforts
have yielded the announcement of nearly 9,000 new jobs and more than $1.4
billion in private sector investment. Mississippi's Gross Domestic Product
reached $100 billion for the first time in the state's history, and the
state has received numerous national recognitions and accolades for
economic performance.





As part of his push toward increased job creation and employment for
Mississippians, Gov. Bryant announced that Mississippi is launching a
first-of-its kind website and mobile application that will pair job seekers
and employers with real-time employment information.





"It will put job seekers and employers a click away from success. Finding a
job or a qualified employee in Mississippi will be easier and more
effective than ever."





The governor also announced a revolutionary new health care effort that
aims to use telehealth technology to provide cutting-edge medical care from
the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson with 200 diabetes
patients in Sunflower County in the Mississippi Delta.





Gov. Bryant recounted Mississippi's success in enacting sweeping public
education reforms in 2013 through his Education Works agenda, and he urged
lawmakers to focus on properly implementing these efforts.





He also called on the Legislature to support the National Board Certified
Teacher program in Mississippi and to enact a $1.5 million pilot program to
study using the ACT as a high school exit exam. Mississippi currently
spends more than $4 million per year on its group of existing high school
assessments.





Gov. Bryant also emphasized the importance of Mississippi's fiscal health
to lawmakers, urging them to keep spending in check, fill the state's
savings account to its limit and move toward a more accountable,
performance-based budget system.





From the outset of his administration, Gov. Bryant has worked with schools,
churches, health care professionals, elected officials and youth from
across the state to confront and address the epidemic of teen pregnancy in
Mississippi.





"We have started making a difference. According to the annual report of the
Mississippi State Department of Health, our state's teen pregnancy rate
declined by 10.3% in 2012."





The governor also called on Mississippi State Senator Michael Watson to
introduce legislation to add the words "In God We Trust" to seal of the
state of Mississippi.





"I continue to believe this is the right time to stand for our beliefs—our
faith, our families, and our nation."


The final portion of the governor's remarks were devoted to public safety.
Last fall, Bryant pledged to dedicate the 2014 legislative session to
addressing Mississippi's public safety and criminal justice needs.





He reiterated his support for the ideas produced by a bi-partisan task
force on criminal justice (http://bit.ly/19QgZXX) but reminded lawmakers,
"any modification to the correctional system should put the victim first."





Gov. Bryant also called on the Legislature to adopt his proposals to fully
fund the state's drug court system, establish a veterans treatment court
system and establish violent crime strike forces to work in high-crime
areas throughout the state.





He also reiterated his call for lawmakers to fund a trooper academy for the
Mississippi Highway Patrol. The trooper force is nearly 150 officers shy of
its recommended limit. The last trooper academy, held in 2011, graduated 51
cadets. The governor's Fiscal Year 2014 Executive Budget Recommendation
recommended $6.9 million to fund another academy, which would cover
training, salaries and equipment for 60 new troopers.





The governor closed his address by saying, "Mississippians as a whole are
without a doubt the most resilient, the most passionate and the most
capable people in this nation. Time and time again, history proves that
when we fix our focus on a goal…we are bold enough to do whatever it takes
to achieve success…Even your opposition makes us better as we consider
every new idea under the intensity of your gaze. But in the end, it is the
moving forward that keeps us together. It is the challenge of achieving the
people's will now and for the future. "








###

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

News Clippings 1.22.14

1.22.2014



Oil Spill





Advocates Call For Investment In Gulf Coast Economy, Environment With


Deepwater Spill Funds




WJCT


By MELISSA ROSS AND AARON BADIDA


In a departure from past responses to violations of the Clean Water Act,

Congress is looking to disperse fines from BP in a way that will benefit

the economies most affected by the spill.

http://news.wjct.org/post/advocates-call-investment-gulf-coast-economy-environment-deepwater-spill-funds






County creates RESTORE Act committee

By MATTHEW BEATON | The News Herald
Published: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 20:01 PM.

PANAMA CITY — The Bay County Commission has created a RESTORE Advisory

Committee with no permanent seats for ecological experts, much to the

chagrin of some environmentalists.

http://www.newsherald.com/news/government/county-creates-restore-act-committee-document-1.265891






BP seeks rehearing in oil spill settlement dispute
AP
By Michael Kunzelman January 21, 2014

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — BP on Tuesday asked an appeals court to review a ruling

upholding a multibillion-dollar settlement to compensate victims of the

company's 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

http://www.businessweek.com/printer/articles/397327?type=ap






Halliburton manager gets probation in Gulf spill

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN
Associated Press


NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A former Halliburton manager apologized to his family
and friends Tuesday before a federal judge sentenced him to one year of
probation for destroying evidence in the aftermath of BP's massive 2010 oil
spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24505129/halliburton-manager-gets-probation-in-gulf-spill





Fla environmental specialists pick up bp tar balls


WEAR


Wednesday, January 22 2014


The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is still doing its part-
on a daily basis- to monitor the effects of BP's Deepwater Horizon blowout
and oil spill. And how many tar balls they find may surprise you.
http://www.weartv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/fla-environmental-specialists-pick-up-bp-tar-balls-40636.shtml





State





Ocean Springs aldermen raise garbage, water & sewer rates

Mississippi Press

Warren Kulo



OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Last year, Ocean Springs aldermen touted the

$4 per month savings it had earned city residents after long -- and

sometimes contentious -- negotiations for a new garbage contract, which

ultimately went to Waste Pro.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/01/ocean_springs_aldermen_raise_g.html





Mississippi Development Authority Accepting Applications for Alternative
Fuel School Bus and Municipal Motor Vehicle Revolving Loan Program
WXXV


Jackson, Miss. (January 21, 2014) – The program provides municipalities and
public school districts with zero percent interest loans and may be used to
cover the cost difference between the purchase of a new AFV and a
comparable conventional model; to cover the cost of a new fuel system,
including construction and installation; and for the purchase of a new fuel
system for the conversion of existing fleet vehicles to AFVs. Alternative
fuels include propane gas, compressed natural gas and liquefied natural
gas.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Mississippi-Development-Authority-Accepting/f0R35UxPC0iWU9q1epKyNQ.cspx





Bio-diesel plant fire in Union County
AP


NEW ALBANY, MISS. — The Mississippi Highway Patrol says officials are

working a fire at a bio-diesel plant near New Albany.



The Highway Patrol says the fire was reported shortly before 6 a.m.

Wednesday.

http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20140122/NEWS/301220045/Bio-diesel-plant-fire-Union-County







Reservoir working to remove 'camps'
Carpet, tents among 112 tons of material removed
Clarion Ledger


Anglers and boaters who have not been on the Pearl River above Barnett

Reservoir in a while are going to notice a major change in the scenery this

spring.



Crews of workers armed with barges and machinery have been removing

unapproved camps and associated items that have built up over the last 20

or so years.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140119/SPORTS08/301190001?gcheck=1




State's e-government cut agencies costs by $3 million
Clarion Ledger


Mississippi's efforts to provide more services on digital platforms has not

only netted awards but has saved the state millions over the last three

years, officials said.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140121/NEWS/301210065?cid=dlvr.it





Neel-Schaffer opens new Rankin County office


by MBJ Staff
Published: January 21,2014

BRANDON — The Jackson-based engineering firm Neel-Schaffer Inc. has opened
an office in Brandon that will be managed by Brandon native Derick Milner.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/01/21/neel-schaffer-opens-new-rankin-county-office/




National





Discarded fishing line lethal threat to birds and marine mammals
By Kyle Rothenberg
Published January 17, 2014
FoxNews.com



Discarded fishing line and other marine debris are killing wildlife in huge
numbers.


More than one million birds and 100,000 marine mammals die each year from
marine debris,according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/01/17/discarded-fishing-line-lethal-threat-to-birds-and-marine-mammals/

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

News Clippings 1.21.14

1.21.2014



Oil Spill





BP can't stop seafood payments, plaintiffs attorneys say


By Jef Feeley and Laurel Brubaker Calkins
Bloomberg News




BP Plc should keep paying more than $2.3 billion to seafood-industry
interests as part of a settlement of claims over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico
oil spill while a fraud probe tied to the accord is pending, plaintiffs'
attorneys said.


http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/01/17/bp-cant-stop-seafood-payments-plaintiffs-attorneys-say/





BP claims appeals coordinator resigned after improperly forwarding claims

information, new report says

Mark Schleifstein

The Times-Picayune

January 17, 2014 at 10:31 PM



The appeals coordinator for the BP oil spill private claims program

resigned Oct. 7, three days after a federal magistrate judge was told the

coordinator improperly forwarded information about a claim to the law firm

handling the case, according to a report filed Friday by former FBI

Director Louis Freeh.

http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2014/01/bp_claims_appeals_coordinator.html





Texas lawyer seeks hold on BP oil spill lawsuit

The Associated Press

January 18, 2014 at 12:04 PM



NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A Texas lawyer being sued by oil giant BP over

allegations that he falsely claimed to represent thousands of deckhands who

lost money in the 2010 Gulf oil spill has asked a federal court to delay

the lawsuit while a criminal investigation plays out.

http://blog.al.com/live/2014/01/texas_lawyer_seeks_hold_on_bp.html





New Orleans attorneys deny improper actions in BP spill claims

The Associated Press

January 17, 2014 at 6:36 PM



Lawyers for two attorneys involved in the claims process arising from the

2010 BP oil spill say there is no evidence supporting a former FBI

director's contention that they acted improperly.

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/01/new_orleans_attorneys_deny_imp.html





Judge to sentence Halliburton manager in oil spill
BY MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

Associated PressJanuary 21, 2014


NEW ORLEANS — A former Halliburton manager faces a possible prison term

when a federal judge sentences him for destroying evidence in the aftermath

of BP's massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/21/5273529/judge-to-sentence-halliburton.html





State






Tupelo, North Lee negotiators 'optimistic' about water service


By Robbie Ward



Daily Journal



TUPELO – The city's negotiations to provide water to residents in annexed

areas currently served by the North Lee County Water Association have been

described as "positive" by representatives on both sides.

http://djournal.com/news/tupelo-north-lee-negotiators-optimistic-water-service/







Hancock County to build sports complex

The Associated Press

January 20, 2014 at 9:57 AM



KILN, Mississippi -- Hancock County leaders have announced plans to build a

sports complex.

…Supervisor Steve Seymour said the county acquired a provisional permit

from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and now is only lacking a storm-water

permit from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality before it

can move forward.

Once the county receives the title to the land and the DEQ permit, it will

advertise for construction bids, Seymour said.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/01/hancock_county_to_build_sports.html





Regional





For Gulf fisheries' sustainability, Audubon teams with Gulf States Marine

Fisheries Commission

Benjamin Alexander-Bloch

The Times-Picayune

January 18, 2014 at 5:40 PM



Audubon Nature Institute's sustainable seafood program has teamed up with

the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission as part of its effort to ensure

the long-term sustainability of Gulf seafood.

http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/01/for_gulf_fisheries_sustainabil.html#incart_river





National





More oil spilled from trains in 2013 than in previous 4 decades, federal
data show
BY CURTIS TATE

McClatchy Washington BureauJanuary 20, 2014


WASHINGTON — More crude oil was spilled in U.S. rail incidents last year

than was spilled in the nearly four decades since the federal government

began collecting data on such spills, an analysis of the data shows.



http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/20/5272320/more-oil-spilled-from-trains-in.html







'War on coal:' GOP Senate group moves to block EPA power plant rules


Published January 18, 2014
FoxNews.com

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and 39 fellow Republicans are
attempting to use a rarely used legislative tactic to block planned
Environmental Protection Agency greenhouse gas standards that would limit
the amount of carbon new power plants can emit.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/18/mcconnell-moves-to-block-epa-power-plant-rules/





Ranchers, farmers fear eco-terrorists after EPA releases private info
By Perry Chiaramonte
Published January 17, 2014
FoxNews.com

The Environmental Protection Agency has told farmers and ranchers it is
sorry for handing private information about them over to environmental
groups, but agriculture advocates who fear attacks from eco-terrorists say
it's like closing the barn door after the horses escaped.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/01/17/ranchers-farmers-fear-eco-terrorists-after-epa-releases-private-info/





Opinion





Editorial: Time to speak up
Pensacola News Journal


April marks the fourth anniversary of the BP oil spill that polluted the

Gulf and hurt the local economy, not to mention the impact on Louisiana,

Mississippi and Alabama.

http://www.pnj.com/article/20140117/OPINION/301170009/Editorial-Time-speak-up?nclick_check=1

Friday, January 17, 2014

News Clippings 1.17.14

1.17.2014



State





Mississippi State lauded for recycling program
Commercial Dispatch
January 16, 2014 10:43:00 AM

STARKVILLE -- Officials from the Mississippi Recycling Coalition were at
Mississippi State Tuesday to present the university with the "Educational
Institution Recycler of the Year" award.
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=30397&TRID=1




Will the Ocean Expo Aquarium ever become reality?
WLOX


D'IBERVILLE, MS (WLOX) -Dr. Moby Solangi can't say when construction might
begin on the $70 million to $80 million Ocean Expo that was envisioned as a
big tourist attraction. The city of D'Iberville has already spent millions
on the deal, but the project is at a standstill.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24475786/where-is-the-ocean-expo-aquarium-learning-center





State's economy slowly recovering, expert says
Clarion Ledger


Don't expect an economic boom any time soon, state Economist Darrin Webb

told lawmakers Thursday, but Mississippi's economy is slowly headed in the

right direction.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140117/BIZ/301170032/State-s-economy-slowly-recovering-expert-says




Regional





Federal-state coastal restoration task force approves four new projects

Mark Schleifstein

The Times-Picayune

January 16, 2014 at 5:44 PM



A federal-state coastal restoration task force on Thursday gave initial

approval to four new Louisiana restoration projects that could cost $113.1

million. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Task

Force also approved spending $12.5 million on design and engineering

studies aimed at determining whether the projects should be built.

http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/01/federal-state_coastal_restorat.html#incart_river





National





Senate Republicans attack EPA on carbon cuts at coal plants
San Francisco Chronicle


Washington -- Senate Republicans attacked the Environmental Protection

Agency's plan to slash carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants

Thursday, saying it would damage the economy, as newly energized Democrats

retorted that climate change is costing jobs in industries such as

Northwest oyster beds and Utah ski resorts.

http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Senate-Republicans-attack-EPA-on-carbon-cuts-at-5150642.php





EPA Denies Politics Delayed Pollution Rules


January 16, 2014
By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press


The head of the Environmental Protection Agency denied Thursday that the
agency delayed formal publication of carbon pollution rules for new power
plants for political reasons, as Republican senators have claimed.


http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/epa-denies-politics-delayed-pollution-rules-21558928





Mitch McConnell launches pre-emptive strike on EPA climate rule
Politico
By: Darren Goode
January 16, 2014 12:49 PM EST


Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell moved Thursday to force a Senate
vote on one of the prime regulations in President Barack Obama's climate
plan, a move that would force vulnerable Democrats to take a public stance
on the controversial rule heading into the midterm elections.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/mitch-mcconnell-epa-climate-rule-102272.html?hp=l5




Lawmakers warn of burdens on rural economies if EPA cuts ethanol mandate
Des Moines Register


A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Iowa's representatives in the U.S.

House urged the White House Thursday to withdraw its November proposal that

would reduce the amount of ethanol required to be blended into the

country's gasoline supply in 2014.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20140116/NEWS09/301160126/1056/news05




EPA Will Have to Report on Aerial Surveillance


KTIC


Thanks to a provision in the omnibus appropriations package - Nebraska
Senator Mike Johanns says the Environmental Protection Agency will have to
reveal details about its aerial surveillance program.
http://kticradio.com/news/agricultural/index.php?more=i8v3sq9e






West Virginia Inspectors Visited Chemical Spill Site Five Times Since 2001



West Virginia Residents Complained of Strong Smell From Storage Facility
Wall Street Journal


CHARLESTON, W.Va.—Environmental inspectors visited the site of last week's

chemical spill here at least five times since 2001, but they primarily

focused on air quality rather than factors that might have figured in the

accident that compromised the water supply of 300,000 people, newly

released records show.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303465004579324580593833264?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5







Press Releases





EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy Statement to Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works on the President's Climate Action Plan

WASHINGTON – Remarks of EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy as prepared for
delivery:

Chairman Boxer, Ranking Member Vitter, members of the Committee: Thank you
for the opportunity to testify today.

In June of last year, the President reaffirmed his commitment to reducing
carbon pollution when he directed many federal agencies, including the
Environmental Protection Agency, to take meaningful steps to mitigate the
current and future damage caused by carbon dioxide emissions and to prepare
for the anticipated climate changes that have already been set in motion.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Based on the
evidence, more than 97% of climate scientists are convinced that
human-caused climate change is occurring. If our changing climate goes
unchecked, it will have devastating impacts on the United States and the
planet. Reducing carbon pollution is critically important to the protection
of Americans' health and the environment upon which our economy depends.

Responding to climate change is an urgent public health, safety, national
security, and environmental imperative that presents an economic challenge
and an economic opportunity. As the President has stated, both the economy
and the environment must provide for current and future generations, and we
can and must embrace cutting carbon pollution as a spark for business
innovation, job creation, clean energy and broad economic growth. The
United States' success over the past 40 years makes clear that
environmental protection and economic growth go hand in hand.

The President's Climate Action Plan directs federal agencies to address
climate change using existing executive authorities. The Plan has three key
pillars: cutting carbon pollution in America; preparing the country for the
impacts of climate change; and leading international efforts to combat
global climate change.

Cutting Carbon Pollution

EPA plays a critical role in implementing the Plan's first pillar, cutting
carbon pollution. Over the past four years, EPA has begun to address this
task under the Clean Air Act.

Our first steps addressed motor vehicles, which annually emit nearly a
third of U.S. carbon pollution. EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, along with the auto industry and other stakeholders, worked
together to set greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for Model Year
2012 to 2025 light-duty vehicles. Over the life of these vehicles, the
standards will save an estimated $1.7 trillion for consumers and businesses
and cut America's oil consumption by 12 billion barrels, while reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 6 billion metric tons.

EPA's and NHTSA's standards for model year 2014 through 2018 heavy-duty
trucks and buses present a similar success story. Under the President's
Plan, we will be developing a second phase of heavy-duty vehicle standards
for post 2018 model years.

Building on this success, the President asked EPA to work with states,
utilities and other key stakeholders to develop plans to reduce carbon
pollution from future and existing power plants.

Power plants are the single largest source of carbon pollution in the
United States. In March 2012, the EPA first proposed carbon pollution
standards for future power plants. After receiving over 2.5 million
comments, we determined to issue a new proposed rule based on this input
and updated information.

In September 2013, the EPA announced its new proposal. The proposed
standards would establish the first uniform national limits on carbon
pollution from future power plants. They will not apply to existing power
plants. The proposal sets separate national limits for new natural
gas-fired turbines and new coal-fired units. New large natural gas-fired
turbines would need to emit less than 1,000 pounds of CO2 per
megawatt-hour, while new small natural gas-fired turbines would need to
emit less than 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour. New coal-fired units
would need to emit less than 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour.
Operators of these units could choose to have additional flexibility by
averaging their emissions over multiple years to meet a somewhat tighter
limit.

The standards reflect the demonstrated performance of efficient, lower
carbon technologies that are currently being used today. They set the stage
for continued public and private investment in technologies like efficient
natural gas and carbon capture and storage. The proposal was recently
published in the Federal Register on January 8, and the formal public
comment period is now open. We look forward to robust engagement on the
proposal and will carefully consider the comments and input we receive as a
final rule is developed.

As noted, the proposed rule would apply only to future power plants. For
existing plants, we are engaged in outreach to a broad group of
stakeholders who can inform the development of proposed guidelines, which
we expect to issue in June of this year. These guidelines will provide
guidance to States, which have the primary role in developing and
implementing plans to address carbon pollution from the existing plants in
their states. We recognize that existing power plants require a distinct
approach, and this framework will allow us to capitalize on state
leadership and innovation while also accounting for regional diversity and
providing flexibility.

The EPA's stakeholder outreach and public engagement in preparation for
this rulemaking is extensive and vigorous. We held eleven public listening
sessions around the country at EPA regional offices and our headquarters in
Washington, DC. We have participated in numerous meetings with a broad
range of stakeholders across the country. And all of this is happening well
before we propose any guidelines. When we issue proposed guidelines in
June, the more formal public process begins – including a public comment
period and an opportunity for a public hearing – which will provide yet
further opportunity for stakeholders and the general public to provide
input.

Cutting Methane Emissions

The Climate Action Plan calls for the development of a comprehensive,
interagency strategy to address emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse
gas that also contributes to ozone pollution, but which has substantial
economic value. EPA is working with other agencies to assess emissions
data, address data gaps, and identify opportunities to reduce methane
emissions through incentive-based programs and existing authorities.

Curbing Emissions of HFCs

The Plan also calls on the US to lead through international diplomacy as
well as domestic action to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
potent greenhouse gases whose emissions are otherwise expected to nearly
triple by 2030. Moving forward, the EPA will use its authority under the
Clean Air Act to encourage the investment, purchase, and use of
climate-friendly alternatives.

Preparing for Impacts of Climate Change

Even as we work to avoid dangerous climate change, we must strengthen
America's resilience to climate impacts we're already experiencing and
those that can no longer be avoided. The President's Plan calls for a broad
array of actions on this front. EPA is incorporating research on climate
impacts into the implementation of our existing programs and developing
information and tools to help decision-makers – including State, local and
tribal governments – to better understand and address these impacts.
Further, EPA is working closely with our federal agency counterparts on
several other aspects of building our national resilience, including
developing the National Drought Resilience Partnership, ensuring the
security of our freshwater supplies, protecting our water utilities, and
protecting and restoring our natural resources in the face of a changing
climate.

International Efforts

Our changing climate is also a global challenge, and the President's Plan
recognizes that the United States must couple action at home with
leadership abroad. Working closely with the State Department, EPA continues
to engage our international partners in reducing carbon pollution through
an array of activities. These include public-private partnership efforts to
address emissions of methane and other short-lived climate pollutants under
the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the Global Methane Initiative, as
well as bilateral cooperation with major economies.

Conclusion

The President's Plan provides a roadmap for federal action to meet the
pressing challenge of a changing climate – promoting clean energy solutions
that capitalize on American innovation and drive economic growth. EPA looks
forward to working with other federal agencies and all stakeholders on
these critical efforts.

Thank you again for the opportunity to testify, and I look forward to
answering your questions.