6.4.14
State
Jackson County Utility Authority begins process to force sewer hookups in
Ocean Beach Estates
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The Jackson County Utility Authority has sent
out letters to Ocean Beach Estates residents asking them to connect to the
authority's completed sewer system.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/06/jackson_county_utility_authori_1.html
Officials plan request for debris removal
WTVA
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) -- County and city leaders in areas affected by
the April 28th tornado will discuss their options for private property
debris removal on Wednesday.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Officials-plan-request-for-debris-removal/OBf4m7qMLkeOIWwMD5TZ8A.cspx
PSC goes on record opposing nuclear waste disposal in Mississippi
Sun Herald
The Mississippi Public Service Commission has become the first state agency
to go on record to oppose storage of the nation's nuclear waste in
Mississippi, Northern District PSC Commissioner Brandon Presley said
Tuesday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/06/03/5623050/psc-goes-on-record-opposing-nuclear.html?sp=/99/184/208/
Regional
United States Environmental Services merger could add New Orleans jobs
Jennifer Larino
The Times-Picayune
June 03, 2014 at 5:30 PM
United States Environmental Services, an environmental services company
with New Orleans roots, has merged with a prominent Midwestern service
provider. The new company will employ about 100 in the New Orleans area,
with the potential for more jobs in coming years.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/06/united_states_environmental_se.html#incart_river
National
New EPA Carbon Rules Pinch States Unevenly
Kentucky Appears to Have It Easier Than Washington State, but It Doesn't
Wall Street Journal
Kentucky appears to have it easy under the Obama administration's new
climate rules unveiled Monday, with an 18.3% cut in carbon-dioxide
emissions required by 2030. Washington state, by contrast, must cut its
emissions by 72%.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/new-epa-carbon-rules-pinch-states-unevenly-1401839554
What's the Real Cost of the EPA's Emissions Cap?
Agency's Estimate Assumes Demand From Power Plants Will Drop
Wall Street Journal
Are the new federal limits on greenhouse-gas emissions going to cost a lot,
as critics say, or a little, as the Environmental Protection Agency
asserts?
That depends on whether you think Americans are going to use more
electricity in coming years or cut way back.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/whats-the-real-cost-of-the-epas-emissions-cap-1401838933
Will Developing World Join EPA Push for Carbon Cuts?
Persuading China, Other Large Emitters to Follow Suit Won't Be Easy
Wall Street Journal
America's push to cut carbon-dioxide emissions is partly intended to spur
other large emitters—especially China—to cut their own emissions more
aggressively to tackle climate change. But will it work?
http://online.wsj.com/articles/will-developing-world-join-epa-push-for-carbon-cuts-1401831224
EPA could change power plant rule significantly
The Hill
By Timothy Cama - 06/03/14 04:52 PM EDT
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) might make major revisions to its
proposal to limit carbon dioxide emissions if states show they cannot meet
the standards.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/208112-epa-could-change-power-plant-rule-significantly
Press Releases
Wicker: Draconian Climate Regulations Would Burden Miss. Farmers, Foresters
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today expressed his
concerns with new Environment Protection Agency (EPA) regulations on carbon
emissions during a Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee
hearing. The hearing specifically addressed "Farming, Fishing, Forestry,
and Hunting in an Era of Changing Climate."
"Yesterday, as part of the President's Climate Action Plan, EPA
Administrator Gina McCarthy announced a new set of rules to regulate carbon
dioxide emissions from existing power plants," Wicker said. "These
regulations would have little effect on the climate, but the rules would
have a negative effect on the livelihood of all energy users, including the
farmers, foresters, and fishermen who are the focus of today's hearing.
"These industries already face a myriad of challenges in a difficult
economic environment. But at what cost are we going to hurt these economic
sectors in the pursuit of aggressive but dubious climate regulations? The
costs to these industries are assured to go up, but the benefits are not."
EPA's proposed rules have been studied by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
which recently released a report analyzing their impact. The group, which
represents businesses and trade organizations, estimated that the
regulations could increase electricity costs by $289 billion by 2030.
"Farmers have been managing their crops effectively and adapting to
variable climate conditions for generations and generations. This is
nothing new. Unfortunately, this generation will have to cope with higher
electricity costs because of questionable climate regulations. For farmers
who properly manage their land, a changing climate is not the problem, but
burdensome regulations that increase the cost of farm production are."
Wicker also noted the many economic benefits and services of America's
forests, which would be adversely affected by the new regulations.
"Forestry in Mississippi is a $14 billion industry and supports more than
63,000 full- and part-time jobs," Wicker said. "Healthy, productive, and
well-managed forests cover more than 60 percent of my home state. These
healthy forests support industry that employs 25 percent of Mississippi's
manufacturing workforce. Given the current depressed market for forestry
goods, higher prices for electricity would only worsen industry problems.
For foresters who properly manage their trees, a changing climate is not
the problem, but onerous regulations that increase the cost of forestry
production are.
"We should be creating jobs and strengthening the economy, not hindering
it," Wicker concluded.
http://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=e176e24c-486e-48ab-81d0-fe48da030116
