9/23/14
State
Jackson County could face environmental 'legal ramifications' from disposal
of waste diesel on farm
Mississippi Press
Gareth Clary
September 22, 2014 at 4:45 PM
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Jackson County could face "legal ramifications"
for environmental violations related to the disposal of 200 gallons of
waste diesel fuel that has become the center of controversy over the past
week.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/jackson_county_could_face_envi.html#incart_river
Jackson County diesel fuel went to Britt campaign supporter
Sun Herald
BY ANITA LEE
Jackson County Sheriff Charles Britt knew old diesel fuel was going to a
campaign supporter, a deputy fired over the transaction says, but Britt
contends he knew only that the old fuel was being given to a "little old
man" who sprayed it at his farm to kill grass.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/22/5814138/britt-campaign-supporter-given.html?sp=/99/184/201/
Britt says he's 'not a politician,' withdraws from Jackson County sheriff's
race amidst turmoil
Sun Herald
BY ANITA LEE
Interim Jackson County Sheriff Charles Britt has withdrawn from the
sheriff's race over a secretly recorded tape about the department's
improper disposal of diesel fuel.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/22/5813908/britt-withdraws-from-jackson-county.html?sp=/99/184/201/
State's complaints could be trouble for Obama's global warming plans
BY GREG GORDON
McClatchy Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- If the response from top Mississippi politicians to President
Barack Obama's central plan to combat global warming is emblematic,
Republican-run states could wage a fierce fight against the
administration's proposed rule to slash carbon emissions from existing
power plants by 2030.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/22/5814894/states-complaints-could-be-trouble.html
Crystal Springs to pay fine over untreated sewage
The Associated Press
CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MISS. — The City of Crystal Springs is paying a $5,000
civil fine because of overflows from its wastewater lagoons.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/23/5815029/crystal-springs-to-pay-fine-over.html?sp=/99/184/218/
MDEQ fines metalworking firm over hazardous waste
by Associated Press
Published: September 22,2014
SENATOBIA — A Senatobia metalworking firm is paying $24,640 civil fine for
failing to conduct inspections and mishandling hazardous waste.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/09/22/mdeq-fines-metalworking-firm-hazardous-waste/
Doctor working for Moss Point firm 'manufactured' lung disease diagnoses,
appeals court rules
The Associated Press
September 23, 2014 at 6:46 AM
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Mississippi's Court of Appeals says the state Board
of Medical Licensure can discipline a radiologist for making what a federal
judge found to be thousands of "manufactured" lung disease diagnoses.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/doctor_working_for_moss_point.html#incart_river
Oil Spill
UF researchers find residue from BP spill
Gainesville Sun
By Jeff Schweers
Published: Monday, September 22, 2014 at 8:54 p.m.
On the surface, it appears that the dispersants used to break up the 200
million gallons of oil spilled following the Deepwater Horizon explosion of
2010 did their job.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20140922/ARTICLES/140929911?Title=UF-researchers-find-residue-from-BP-spill
Regional
Martineau to lead Environmental Counsel of States
AP
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Environmental Council of the States has elected
Tennessee's Bob Martineau as its new president.
http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/26600807/martineau-to-lead-environmental-counsel-of-states
National
Obama offers climate change help to other nations
BY JOSH LEDERMAN
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is pledging new U.S. help for other
nations struggling to address global warming, as heads of state from around
the world converge for a major summit on climate change.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/23/5815143/obama-offers-climate-change-help.html?sp=/99/184/208/
Treasury Secretary Says U.S. Must Act Now on Climate Change
Jacob Lew Says Economic Cost of Inaction or Delay Is 'Far Greater' Than
Action
Wall Street Journal
WASHINGTON—U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, in a speech on Monday, said
the U.S. must act now on climate change to avoid economic hardships that
will grow with inaction.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/treasury-secretary-says-u-s-must-act-now-on-climate-change-1411427437
Press Releases
The Weeks Bay Foundation, Inc. Receives $270,566 to Increase Awareness and
Action on Gulf Issues
Contact Information:
Jason McDonald, (404) 562-9203 (Direct), (404) 562-8400 (Main)
mcdonald.jason@epa.gov
Stennis Space Center, MS – The U.S. EPA Gulf of Mexico Program recently
announced that the Weeks Bay Foundation, Inc. (Weeks Bay) has received a
$270,566 through a cooperative agreement for the project "A Gulf of Mexico
Coastal Training Initiative." This project will be directed under the
leadership of Michael Shelton, Coastal Training Program Coordinator of
Weeks Bay Foundation, Inc.
"The Gulf of Mexico Program is committed to supporting our partners in
addressing our mutual goals of improving, protecting and restoring the
health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico," said Ben Scaggs, Director
of the U.S. EPA Gulf of Mexico Program. "We look forward to the sustainable
environmental results that will be accomplished through this cooperative
agreement with the Weeks Bay Foundation, Inc."
The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training Initiative will offer targeted and
technical assistance to resource managers and decision-makers on the Gulf
Coast. The training events and technical assistance will employ proven
educational methodologies to increase regional awareness and action on
program priorities and strategic goals identified by the EPA Gulf of Mexico
Program and the region's coastal decision-makers. Weeks Bay will hold 15
workshops on the Gulf Coast, provide technical assistance to five coastal
communities over three years, as well as engage local communities and raise
awareness of environmental issues Gulf-wide.
"The Gulf National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) regional partnership
is well positioned to address coastal resource management issues that have
impacts on a regional level through locally based training and technical
assistance," said Shelton. "The primary outcome of the NERRs and GMP
initiative is improved decision-making in the management of coastal
resources."
This cooperative agreement will further the strategic goals and objectives
of Gulf of Mexico Program and lead to a healthy and prosperous ecosystem.
For more information about the Gulf of Mexico Program, please call
228-688-3726 or visit our web site at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo.
EPA Announces Grant Opportunities to Reduce Diesel Emissions at Ports
WASHINGTON - Today, EPA announced the availability of up to $5 million in
grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing
emissions from marine and inland water ports located in areas of poor air
quality.
"Communities surrounding ports often face serious air quality and other
environmental challenges, " said Janet McCabe, Acting Assistant
Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. "By working with fleet
owners to replace or update older equipment with cleaner technologies, we
can find collaborative solutions that foster both economic growth and
improve public health."
Older diesel engines emit large amounts of air pollutants such as nitrogen
oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM). These pollutants are linked to a
range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease,
and other respiratory ailments. Most of the country's busiest ports are
located near large metropolitan areas and, as a result, people in
neighboring communities are exposed to high levels of diesel emissions.
Since most ships and equipment at ports run on diesel engines, clean diesel
projects at ports will produce immediate emissions reductions and provide
health benefits to those living and working in the area.
This is the second grant competition to focus on reducing emissions at
ports under the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA). Under this
competition, EPA anticipates awarding between two and five assistance
agreements. Applicants may request up to $2 million in funding toward
eligible projects. Port authorities, governmental or quasi-governmental
public agencies that operate ports, and state and local governments with
jurisdiction over transportation or air quality are eligible to apply.
Community groups, terminal operators, shipping carriers, and other related
entities are encouraged to participate through partnerships with eligible
applicants. Projects may include drayage trucks, marine engines,
locomotives, and cargo handling equipment at marine or inland water ports.
Funding is limited to projects at ports located in areas of poor air
quality, as determined by the Administrator. The list of eligible areas
for this RFP can be found at
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/ports/documents/fy14-ports-county-area-list.pdf.
All proposals must be received by December 11, 2014. For more information
and to access the Request for Proposals and other documents, please visit
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/ports/ports-dera-rfp.htm.
EPA Encourages Homeowners to Care for Their Septic Systems During
SepticSmart Week
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold its second
annual SepticSmart Week September 22-26. SepticSmart Week outreach
activities encourage homeowners and communities to care for and maintain
their septic systems. Nearly one-quarter of all American households depend
on septic systems to treat their wastewater.
Failure to maintain septic system can lead to back-ups and overflows that
pollute local waterways, create dead zones, raise water treatment costs and
endanger human health. Pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus and fecal
bacteria can enter ground and surface waters from septic systems. Such
pollutants affect drinking water, lakes, rivers and estuaries. The algal
blooms they may generate can produce toxins harmful to human, animals and
marine life.
Data collected by states attribute septic systems and other onsite
wastewater treatment methods to water quality impairments in 22,909 miles
of rivers and streams; 199,995 acres of lakes, reservoirs and ponds; and
72,320 acres of wetlands. By properly maintaining their septic systems,
homeowners can help reduce these numbers.
"When homeowners protect their septic systems, it's good for their health,
their neighbors' health, and their pocketbooks," said Ken Kopocis, Deputy
Assistant Administrator in EPA's Office of Water. "Not only is EPA directly
educating homeowners on septic maintenance, but we are also coordinating
with states and municipalities to do the same."
During SepticSmart Week, EPA will provide homeowners with tips for septic
maintenance, including:
· Protect It and Inspect It:
· Think at the Sink:
· Don't Overload the Commode:
· Don't Strain Your Drain:
· Shield Your Field:
EPA's SepticSmart program educates homeowners about proper septic system
care and maintenance all year long. In addition, it serves as an online
resource for industry practitioners, local governments and community
organizations, providing access to tools to educate clients and residents.
For more information, visit: www.epa.gov/septicsmart
