7.11.14
State
Lake Tangipahoa has new life
WLBT
PIKE COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now) -Lake Tangipahoa located in Percy
Quin State Park is almost back to normal after being devastated by severe
weather in 2012.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/25980331/lake-tangipahoa-has-new-life
KiOR retains investment bank to explore sale or restructuring
by Associated Press
Published: July 10,2014
COLUMBUS — Struggling biofuel maker KiOR, deeply in debt to the state of
Mississippi and others, says it has hired an investment bank to try to sell
or restructure the company.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/07/10/kior-retains-investment-bank-explore-sale-restructuring/
Bigger than Nissan: Hinds site could land giant project
Clarion Ledger
A notice filed by Gov. Phil Bryant's office with the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers suggests western Hinds County could be in line for a
manufacturing facility bigger than Nissan.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2014/07/10/hinds-county-mississippi-development-project/12491495/
Mississippi Power names Michael Harvey manager of Pine Belt Division
Mississippi Press
GULFPORT, Mississippi -- Mississippi Power named Michael Harvey as the new
Pine Belt Division Manager today. Harvey will manage all customer service
functions and will represent Mississippi Power Company as a leader in the
community, responsible for all external activities in the Pine Belt
Division.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-business/2014/07/mississippi_power_names_michae.html#incart_river
Regional
Shale Seen Shifting Flows at America's Biggest Oil Port
Bloomberg
By Dan Murtaugh - Jul 10, 2014
For more than 30 years, the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port LLC has been a
symbol of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, pumping Nigerian and Saudi
Arabian crude from the world's biggest supertankers into underground
storage caverns beneath the marshes of southern Louisiana.
Now, with domestic production at a 28-year high, LOOP's managers are
thinking the previously unthinkable: They want to reverse the flows and
send North American oil out as well as take foreign oil in.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-09/shale-seen-shifting-flows-at-america-s-biggest-oil-port.html
National
EPA to restrict more greenhouse gases
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed Thursday a ban on some
uses of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), compounds that are used in cooling
systems and aerosols but are also extremely potent greenhouse gases.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/211849-epa-to-restrict-more-greenhouse-gases
Exxon Fights Over Fracking With Pennsylvania Attorney General
Company's XTO Unit Says Kathleen Kane Is Unfairly Prosecuting Over Spill
Wall Street Journal
Exxon Mobil Corp. XOM -0.95% is fighting criminal charges over a wastewater
spill in Pennsylvania with an unusual defense, contending that the state's
attorney general improperly singled the company out in an effort to stop
hydraulic fracturing.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/exxon-says-it-is-getting-singled-out-over-fracking-1405011974
North Dakota Pipeline Leaks 1 Million Gallons of Saltwater
Leak on Indian Reservation Creates Potential Environmental Hazard
Wall Street Journal
MANDAREE, N.D.—A pipeline on North Dakota's Fort Berthold Indian
reservation has leaked 1 million gallons of saltwater, company and tribal
officials say, with some of the fluid finding its way to a bay that leads
to a lake that provides drinking water for the reservation.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/north-dakota-pipeline-leaks-1-million-gallons-of-saltwater-1404999042
GOP senators slam EPA on wage garnishment
The Hill
Three Republican senators attacked the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Thursday for a proposal that they said would allow the agency to
garnish individuals' wages.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/211871-gop-senators-slam-epa-on-wage-garnishment
Inventor pushes solar panels for roads, highways
BY NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS
Associated Press
SPOKANE, WASH. — The solar panels that Idaho inventor Scott Brusaw has
built aren't meant for rooftops. They are meant for roads, driveways,
parking lots, bike trails and, eventually, highways.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/07/11/5693411/inventor-pushes-solar-panels-for.html?sp=/99/184/767/312/
Opinion
Public opinion on climate change: Is the glass half-full or half-empty for
policymakers?
The Hill
By Deborah D. Stine, contributor
In all the discussion about the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new
climate change rule and power plants, there has not been much thought given
to the poll numbers. Since policymakers are presumably in office to
represent the public, let's take a look at the numbers from a variety of
polls and see what they say.
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/211886-public-opinion-on-climate-change-is-the-glass-half-full
Press releases
EPA Proposes to Replace and Reduce Harmful Greenhouse Gases
WASHINGTON – Today, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
proposing to prohibit the use of certain chemicals that significantly
contribute to climate change where safer, more climate-friendly
alternatives exist. This is the agency's second action aimed at reducing
emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of potent greenhouse gases,
under President Obama's Climate Action Plan.
This action is estimated to reduce greenhouse gases by up to 42 million
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2020, equal to the carbon
dioxide emissions from the annual electricity use of more than five million
homes.
"President Obama called on us to take action against potent greenhouse
gases that contribute to climate change. Today, we are issuing a new
proposal that builds on the innovative work businesses across the country
have already made to reduce and replace some of the most harmful chemicals
with safer, more climate-friendly alternatives that are available and on
the market today," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "This action will
not only result in significant reductions of harmful greenhouse gases, but
it will also encourage businesses to continue bringing safer alternatives
to market."
Under the authority of the Clean Air Act, EPA's Significant New
Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program evaluates substitute chemicals and
technologies that are safe for the ozone layer. Today's proposed action
would change the status of certain high-global warming potential (GWP) HFCs
that were previously listed as acceptable under the SNAP Program to be
unacceptable in specific end-uses based on information showing that other
alternatives are available for the same uses that pose lower risk overall
to human health or the climate.
The HFCs and HFC-containing blends affected by today's proposal are used in
aerosols, motor vehicle air conditioning, retail food refrigeration and
vending machines, and foam blowing.
Today's proposal complements an earlier action EPA proposed to expand the
list of climate-friendly alternatives for refrigeration and air
conditioning under its SNAP Program.
The agency received input from industry, environmental groups and others
through workshops and meetings over the past year on this proposal.
EPA will accept comment on the proposal for 60 days after publication in
the Federal Register.
Learn more about EPA's SNAP Program and the proposal:
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/regulations.html
EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee Met in Atlanta to Weigh in on
Proposed Water Rule
Contact Information: Dawn Harris Young, EPA, (404) 562-8421 (Direct), (404)
562-8400 (Main), harris-young.dawn@epa.gov
ATLANTA – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 hosted the
Agency's Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) Workgroup meeting in
Atlanta, Ga. LGAC's Protecting America's Waters Workgroup convened to
discuss a proposed rule clarifying Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction.
The public meeting gave local officials and stakeholders the opportunity to
express their concerns and ideas to the workgroup, which will then work
with the full committee to craft recommendations to EPA. The LGAC has been
charged by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to give advice and
recommendations on important issues affecting local elected and appointed
officials. LGAC has made formal recommendations to EPA on issues ranging
from climate change resiliency and air quality to worker protection
standards.
EPA's proposed rule clarifies protection for streams and wetlands. The
proposed definitions of waters will apply to all Clean Water Act programs.
The proposed rule, released on Mar. 25, 2014, is anticipated to have a
large impact on local officials who are often in charge of implementing CWA
provisions. Due to the scope of the proposed rule, the public comment
period was recently extended by an additional 90 days to Oct. 20, 2014.
The purpose of the LGAC is to provide advice and recommendations that
assist EPA in developing a stronger partnership with local governments, as
well as build state and local capacity to deliver environmental services
and programs. The ultimate goal of the LGAC is to provide the citizens of
the nation with more efficient and effective environmental protection at
the community, state and federal level.
More information about the Local Government Advisory Committee:
http://www.epa.gov/ocir/scas_lgac/lgac_index.htm
More information about the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule, including how
to submit public comments:
https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-07142
More than 5,500 buildings to compete in EPA's Fifth-Annual Energy Star
Battle of the Buildings
Commercial buildings around the US are in a race to save energy and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
launched the 2014 Energy Star Battle of the Buildings: Team Challenge. More
than 5,500 buildings nationwide are going head-to-head to reduce their
energy use. In support of President Obama's Climate Action Plan, which
calls for businesses to cut in half the amount of energy they waste over
the next 20 years, the competition specifically targets wasted energy in
commercial buildings, and will motivate businesses to improve energy
efficiency, reduce harmful carbon pollution, and save money.
"The competitive spirit is alive and well among the building teams working
to improve their energy efficiency in this year's Battle of the Buildings,"
said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "After four successful years, we're
excited to see the innovative ideas that will emerge from the competitors
as they find new ways to save energy and money while reducing greenhouse
gas emissions and protecting the environment."
In the only coast-to-coast competition of its kind, dozens of different
types of commercial buildings are facing off in this year's Energy Star
Battle of the Buildings. This year's theme, "Team Challenge," features
teams of five or more buildings who will work together to reduce their
collective energy use as much as possible over the course of a year. For
example, "Team Staples" includes 17 Staples stores, while 15 Whole Foods
stores will support each other as part of "Team Whole Foods Market." In New
Castle County, Del., 13 elementary schools will compete as part of a team,
and they're going up against their county's five middle schools and six
high schools. In Hillsborough County, Fla., fire stations will team up to
compete against libraries.
This year marks the fifth year that EPA has hosted the Battle of the
Buildings. The competition—and positive environmental impacts—have grown
exponentially since that time. Altogether, last year's competitors saved an
estimated $20 million on utility bills. Nearly 50 buildings in the
competition demonstrated energy use reductions of 20 percent or greater.
Commercial buildings in the United States spend more than $100 billion in
annual utility bills and are responsible for approximately 20 percent of
both the nation's energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. By improving the
energy efficiency of the places they work, play, and learn, the competitors
will save energy and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that
contribute to climate change.
Competitors will measure and track their buildings' monthly energy
consumption using EPA's online energy measurement and tracking tool, Energy
Star Portfolio Manager. Building teams will work to optimize or upgrade
equipment, retrofit lighting, and change occupants' behaviors—all with help
from Energy Star. The team that reduces its buildings' average energy use
the most, on a percentage basis over a 12-month performance period, will be
declared the winner. In addition to the team competition, 700 individual
buildings are also competing in a special water reduction category, and
will work with EPA's WaterSense program to apply best practices for
commercial building water management.
EPA will maintain a website devoted to the competition, featuring a list of
the competitors and their starting, midpoint, and final standings, a live
Twitter feed where competitors will post updates on their progress and an
interactive map of the competitor's locations. Midpoint results will be
posted in October, with the winner announced in April 2015.
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. From the first Energy Star qualified computer in 1992,
the label can now be found on products in more than 70 different
categories, with more than 4.8 billion sold. Over 1.5 million new homes and
23,000 buildings have earned the Energy Star label.
More information on the competition:
http://www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings
