Oil Spill
US Seeks Reinstatement of Charge in BP Spill Case
AP
NEW ORLEANS April 30, 2014 (AP)
Prosecutors urged a federal appeals court panel Wednesday to reinstate a
criminal charge alleging that a former BP executive obstructed a
congressional investigation into the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-seeks-reinstatement-charge-bp-spill-case-23536305
I-Team: Menace in the Marsh
WAFB
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -BP has claimed success in the billions of dollars
it spent to clean up oil that gushed into the Gulf of Mexico and along the
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida shores, following the
explosion of the Deepwater Horizon well.
http://www.wafb.com/story/25397766/researchers-disagree-gulf-oil-clean-up-a-total-success
Decision rescinding BP oil spill claimant's award not likely to shift legal
climate, experts say
Jennifer Larino
The Times-Picayune
April 30, 2014 at 7:02 PM
A Tuesday court ruling ordering a BP oil spill claimant to repay more than
$357,000 in payments amid findings of fraud adds fuel to the already fiery
legal debate over how claims should be paid moving forward. But experts say
the ruling is unlikely to propel BP's argument that the multibillion-dollar
settlement it agreed to in late 2012 is now riddled with misconduct.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/04/decision_rescinding_bp_oil_spi.html
State
Obama OKs 7-county disaster declaration
Clarion Ledger
Late Wednesday, President Barack Obama signed an order declaring a
major disaster in the state of Mississippi, clearing the way for
federal assistance. The declaration applies to areas affected by
severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that struck Monday.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/04/30/federal-disaster-declaration/8530429/
SCUA, contractor come to agreement
Stone County Enterprise
By Jody O'Hara
Apr 24, 2014, 12:51
WIGGINS - The Stone County Utility Authority and CB Developers of Petal met
last week and hashed out what had to be done to insure completion of
projects.
http://www.stonecountyenterprise.com/article_2119.shtml
Soda pop and diesel fuel not a good combination on Highway 67
WLOX
HARRISON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -At 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Highway 67
southbound was suddenly impassable. State troopers were on the scene within
minutes. One of them was Master Sgt. Jeff Rogers.
http://www.wlox.com/story/25387028/overturned-18-wheeler-causes-traffic-delays
Household Hazardous Waste Day Set for Saturday
WTOK
It's spring time in Meridian which means it's time for the spring edition
of Household(Embedded image moved to file: pic24946.jpg) Hazardous Waste
Day.
http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Day-Set-for-Saturday-257427321.html
Second annual 'Conservation: Pass it Down' May 15
Neshoba Democrat
The second annual "Conservation: Pass it Down" will be held on May 15 at
the Neshoba County Coliseum with registration beginning at 5 p.m.
http://neshobademocrat.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=297&ArticleID=32406
St. Andrew's Episcopal School event goes green
Annual St. Andrew's fest is friendly to planet and families
Madison County Herald
Color is finally starting to reemerge. On lawns and in trees, the color
green is beginning to show through the brown and drab remnants of what was
a long, cold winter. The sun is out, the rain is actually refreshing, and
the state seems to be coming out of hibernation.
http://www.mcherald.com/article/20140501/CLASS/305010004/St-Andrew-s-Episcopal-School-event-goes-green
National
Good news/bad news for U.S. air quality
USA Today
A new report tries to clear the air on where America stands in its
battle with air pollution.
The 2014 State of the Air report out Wednesday from the American
Lung Association presents a good news/bad news mix showing
improvements in America's air quality compared with previous
decades, but more recently an increase in ozone readings since its
2013 report.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/30/nations-air-quality-worsens/8466889/
Largest coal producing state slams administration over EPA rules
By Kelly David Burke
Published May 01, 2014
FoxNews.com
The American coal industry is accusing the Obama administration of using
the Environmental Protection Agency to end the use of coal despite the
president's claim of having an "all of the above" energy policy.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/01/wyoming-gov-accuses-administration-war-on-coal/?intcmp=latestnews
Another EPA official caught in former staffer's web of deception; he
claimed to work for CIA
Washington Post
By Al Kamen and Colby Itkowitz,
Another high-level EPA staffer has been caught up in the bizarre John Beale
CIA-impersonator scandal.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/another-epa-official-caught-in-former-staffers-web-of-deception-he-claimed-to-work-for-cia/2014/04/30/b3dd6f24-d0ac-11e3-937f-d3026234b51c_story.html
Oil tank cars derail, burn in Virginia
CNN
A pillar of black smoke billowed over downtown Lynchburg, Virginia, after a
train carrying crude oil jumped its tracks and caught fire Wednesday
afternoon, city officials said.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/30/us/virginia-train-derailment/
Fracking Sends Sand Sales Soaring
Wall Street Journal
The oil and gas industry can't get enough sand.
U.S. Silica Holdings Inc. which mines sand that can be used in hydraulic
fracturing of oil and gas wells, sold 1.3 million tons of sand to the
energy industry during the first quarter–a 45% increase over the same
period last year. That helped fuel the company's 6% boost in quarterly
profit to $18.4 million, or 34 cents per share.
http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2014/04/30/fracking-sends-sand-sales-soaring/
Chicago Approves Ban on Plastic Bags
Measure to Go Into Effect Beginning in 2015; Some Stores Not Affected
Wall Street Journal
CHICAGO—Plastic bags—once seen as the cheap modern replacement for
paper—took another hit Wednesday, as the city council in the nation's third
largest city voted to ban most stores from offering them on environmental
grounds.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303948104579534110585614176?mg=reno64-wsj
Press Releases
Portions of Mississippi Declared Federal Disaster Areas Following Severe
Storms and Tornadoes
JACKSON—Seven counties in Mississippi have been declared federal disaster
areas following devastation from severe storms and tornadoes that swept
through the state beginning April 28. Gov. Phil Bryant requested the
expedited declaration from the president on April 29, and Mississippi's
congressional delegation on Wednesday sent a letter to the president in
support of the governor's request.
"We have experienced tragic loss of life as a result of these storms and
tornadoes, and many Mississippians have lost their homes and all that they
own," Gov. Bryant said. "We have a strong working relationship with our
partners at the local and federal levels, and I appreciate Senators Thad
Cochran and Roger Wicker and the Mississippi congressional delegation for
aiding in this quick response from the federal government. This assistance
will help Mississippi do what it does best—rebuild and rebound in the face
of adversity."
The following counties are eligible for the Individual Assistance Program:
Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Rankin, Wayne, and Winston. Individual
Assistance is aid provided to individuals and households and can include
housing assistance, unemployment assistance, and money to replace damaged
or destroyed belongings.
The same counties are also eligible for certain types of aid through FEMA's
Public Assistance program. FEMA's Public Assistance program administers aid
to state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations.
Through this program, costs incurred since April 28 by the eligible
counties, governments and non-profits could be reimbursed by FEMA through
its 75 percent cost-sharing program.
The Public Assistance aid available at this time includes assistance in
Categories A and B. FEMA Category A Public Assistance includes 75 percent
reimbursement for eligible costs incurred from removing and disposing of
storm debris from public properties and rights of way. FEMA Category B
Public Assistance includes 75 percent reimbursement for eligible emergency
work, including actions to prevent threats to life and property and
overtime incurred by emergency responders.
Mississippi also received approval to administer FEMA's Hazard Mitigation
Program. This program provides assistance for actions that reduce the risk
to life and property from natural hazards.
As more thorough damage assessments are completed by state and federal
inspection teams, additional categories of assistance, such as aid in
repairing or replacing public buildings and aid in repairing damaged roads,
may be added. Further damage assessments could also warrant an updated
request from the state to extend Individual Assistance and Public
Assistance aid to additional counties.
###
ADDITIONAL STORM DEATH AND DAMAGE REPORTED TO MEMA
PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has received a
confirmed report of another storm related death in Leake County, raising
the total to 13 in the state as a result of tornadoes and severe weather on
Monday. Damage is being reported in 23 counties with at least 945 homes
destroyed or sustained major damage with a total of more than 1,750 homes
affected. In addition preliminary assessments show 65 businesses destroyed
or sustained major damage.
The counties reporting storm-related deaths are as follows:
· Issaquena: One death.
· Leake: One death
· Lee: One death.
· Rankin: One death.
· Winston: Nine deaths, one child still missing.
Governor Phil Bryant has requested a Federal Disaster Declaration for
affected counties in Mississippi and is awaiting a decision from President
Obama.
A volunteer reception center will open at noon tomorrow in Winston County
in the parking lot of the Louisville Coliseum, 201 Ivy Ave. in Louisville.
Those wishing to volunteer are asked to come to the reception center to
register so you can be used most effectively in the area in need.
If you are interested in volunteering in other parts of the state please
visit www.volunteermississippi.org.
Two shelters are open in Lee and Winston counties:
· Louisville- First Baptist Church, 305 S. Church Ave.
· Tupelo- BanccorpSouth Building, 375 E. Main St.
Mississippi National Guardsmen are assisting with security in Lee County
and the Mississippi Highway Patrol is assisting in Winston County. Gov.
Bryant has made it clear that looting will not be tolerated.
MEMA urges the public to report damages to your local Emergency Management
Agency. For a list of contact numbers for your county, visit
www.msema.org/local-ema. For more information, go to MEMA's website at
www.msema.org or download the MEMA mobile app on your iOS or Android
device.
The best way to get up-to-date information is to "Like" MEMA on Facebook,
or "Follow" us on twitter.
###
EPA Solicits Public Comments on Action Plan for RE-Powering America's Land
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking
public comments on the draft action plan for its RE-Powering America's Land
Initiative. The plan guides EPA's efforts over the next two years to
encourage renewable energy development on current and formerly contaminated
lands, landfills and mine sites when such development is aligned with the
community's vision for the site. The cleanup of contaminated land and the
production of renewable energy will provide long-term improvements to air
quality in communities, while protecting public health.
In 2010, the RE-Powering America's Land Initiative published its first
management plan to provide a useful framework to engage stakeholders on the
potential to site renewable energy on contaminated lands and track
progress. This second action plan, Action Plan 2.0, identifies activities
planned for the next two years.
The agency will solicit comments for 30 days. Comments on the proposed plan
are due by Friday, May 30.To submit a comment, please send to
cleanenergy@epa.gov
A copy of the draft Action Plan 2.0:
http://www.epa.gov/oswercpa/action_plan.htm
EPA Seeks Comment on Proposed Decision to Register Enlist Duo Herbicide
Containing the Choline Salt of 2,4-D and Glyphosate
WASHINGTON - The EPA is making available for a 30-day public comment period
a proposed regulatory decision to register Enlist Duo containing glyphosate
and the choline salt of 2,4-D for use in controlling weeds in corn and
soybeans genetically engineered (GE) to tolerate 2,4-D.
Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to glyphosate-based herbicides
and are posing a problem for farmers. If finalized, EPA's action provides
an additional tool to reduce the spread of glyphosate resistant weeds. To
ensure that Enlist Duo successfully manages weed resistance problems, the
proposal would impose requirements on the manufacturer including robust
monitoring and reporting to EPA, grower education and remediation and would
allow EPA to take swift action to impose additional restrictions on the
manufacturer and the use of the pesticide if resistance develops.
EPA is making this action available for public comment because the choline
salt of 2,4-D, which is less prone to drift and volatilization than its
other forms, is not currently registered for these uses. Glyphosate,
however, is already registered for several varieties of GE soybeans and
corn. Since no new use pattern and no new exposures for glyphosate are
being considered with this registration action, no further assessment is
needed for glyphosate.
2,4-D is one of the most widely used herbicides to control weeds. 2,4-D
has been registered for many years in the United States and is registered
in dozens of countries, such as Canada, Mexico, Japan, 26 European Union
Members, and many member countries of the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Public comments on the EPA's proposed regulatory decision must be submitted
no later than May 30, 2014. Comments may be submitted to the EPA docket
EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0195 at www.regulations.gov .
After the comment period closes, EPA will review all of the comments and
reach a final decision, which the Agency expects to issue in late summer or
early fall.
Questions and Answers about this proposal are available at:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/2-4-d-glyphosate.html
EPA Awards $860,000 to Communities to Reduce Water Pollution, Build
Resilience to Climate Change
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced
$860,000 to help 14 communities expand their use of green infrastructure to
reduce water pollution and boost resilience to the impacts of climate
change. The funding supports President Obama's Climate Action Plan, which
directs federal agencies to support community-based preparedness and
resilience efforts across the country.
"Investing in green infrastructure pays off for our environment and our
economy. It reduces water pollution and energy consumption while creating
jobs," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "These investments help local
communities build resilient systems to protect from severe storms, floods,
and other impacts of climate change."
In the last three years, EPA has provided $2.2 million to 37 communities
for green infrastructure. This new funding continues the agency's support
for communities using green infrastructure to reduce water pollution and
protect human health while increasing economic activity and neighborhood
revitalization, job creation, energy savings, and open space. Green
infrastructure builds resilience to the impacts of climate change, in large
part by reducing the burden on local water infrastructure.
The 14 communities are:
· Ada County, Idaho - EPA assistance will help explore stormwater
mitigation techniques, concepts, and financing options to support
green infrastructure in an area undergoing redevelopment.
· Albuquerque, New Mexico – EPA assistance will help with the design
and specifications of a rooftop vegetable garden, which will recycle
captured rainwater for irrigation.
· Bath, Maine - EPA assistance will help produce a feasibility study
and conceptual design for a green infrastructure project in order to
mitigate flooding and combined sewer overflows while stabilizing and
improving the neighborhood.
· Buffalo, New York – EPA assistance will help develop a protocol and
institutional controls for post-demolition stormwater assessments to
verify stormwater control performance and ensure that properties
retain their stormwater control during redevelopment.
· Clarkesville, Georgia - EPA assistance will help design green
infrastructure solutions for a highly impervious downtown area within
a small community.
· Denver, Colorado – EPA assistance will support the completion of
green infrastructure practice criteria suited for ultra-urban
environments and transportation projects including design elements,
maintenance procedures, and schedules.
· Fall River, Massachusetts – EPA assistance will help with the
evaluation and concept design of tree plantings to address combined
sewer overflows, stormwater and air quality issues, urban heat island
effect, and climate change adaptation.
· Iowa City, Iowa – EPA assistance will help develop conceptual designs
for green infrastructure practices for a riverfront property prone to
flooding, which is being converted into park space.
· Milwaukee, Wisconsin - EPA assistance will help develop a model
utility operation and maintenance plan to ensure green infrastructure
practices are properly maintained and effective in reducing
stormwater runoff.
· Norfolk, Virginia – EPA assistance will help identify green
infrastructure alternatives to improve water quality and address
shoreline erosion for a waterway in an urban area with a need to plan
for how changes in sea level rise will affect green infrastructure
methodology.
· Pueblo de Cochiti, New Mexico – EPA assistance will help prepare a
plan that will integrate green infrastructure into land use planning,
stormwater management, infrastructure improvements, transportation
planning and open space for community members.
· Saint Paul, Minnesota – EPA assistance will help produce a green
infrastructure feasibility study for a waterfront stormwater park in
a vacated industrial area undergoing redevelopment.
· Santa Monica, California - EPA assistance will help develop a
conceptual design for a 100,000- gallon storage tank that will be
used to harvest stormwater from a storm drain system, reducing runoff
and replacing potable water used to irrigate parkland.
· Scranton, Pennsylvania - EPA assistance will help incorporate green
infrastructure included under the city's combined sewer overflow
long-term control plan into a comprehensive master plan for a newly
developing arts district.
Green infrastructure decreases pollution to local waterways by treating
rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer
systems. Green infrastructure tools and techniques include green roofs,
permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees,
rain gardens and rain harvesting systems. Communities are increasingly
using innovative green infrastructure to supplement or substitute for
"gray" infrastructure such as pipes, filters, and ponds.
More information on the green infrastructure assistance, progress reports
and strategy:
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/gi_support.cfm.
