11.17.14
State
Hattiesburg seeks Brownfields grant to improve space
Hattiesburg American
Brett Benson is hoping persistence pays off when it comes to the
next step in the City of Hattiesburg's efforts to restore and
enhance waterfront areas.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2014/11/16/hattiesburg-seeks-brownfields-grant/19145125/
Irrigation and Water Conservation Summit on tap for Stoneville, Dec. 10
Delta Farm Press
Fri, 2014-11-14 14:39
Mississippi farmers enjoyed an abundance of rainfall for much of the 2014
growing season. But veteran growers know it doesn't take many dry days to
turn a rainy season into a drought.
http://deltafarmpress.com/irrigation-technology/irrigation-and-water-conservation-summit-tap-stoneville-dec-10
UNCERTAINTY REIGNS AS MISSISSIPPI OPENS OYSTER SEASON
MPB
It's 43° but feels colder here at the Pass Christian harbor. And on the
Mississippi Gulf Coast, that kind of weather means oysters.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2014/11/14/uncertainty-reigns-as-mississippi-opens-oyster-season/
Pascagoula River Audubon Center aims for better ecosystems
BY JAMES SKRMETTA
Sun Herald
JACKSON COUNTY -- The Pascagoula River Audubon Center operates under the
theory the best way to conserve nature is to inform the public about its
benefits.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/11/16/5918452_pascagoula-river-audubon-center.html?sp=/99/100/&rh=1
Amite loses bid gamble
Justin Vicory
Enterprise-Journal
November 14, 2014 2:00 pm
LIBERTY — The Amite County School Board's gamble to reject oil lease bids
in September in hopes of holding out for more royalties isn't paying off.
http://www.enterprise-journal.com/news/article_f4259cb2-6c26-11e4-b396-0b9aed8114fe.html
Bioplastics company Solaplast puts plant in operation
by Associated Press
Published: November 16,2014
MERIDIAN — Solaplast, a company that converts algae from commercial catfish
ponds into plastics, has opened a plant in Lauderdale County.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/11/16/bioplastics-company-solaplast-puts-plant-operation/
Oil Spill
BP asks judge to cap spill penalties at $12 billion
Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON – BP wants a federal judge to cap its potential oil-spill pollution
fines at a maximum of $12.3 billion, a move that would cut away nearly a
third of the penalties U.S. prosecutors are seeking for the Deepwater
Horizon disaster.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/11/17/bp-asks-judge-to-cap-spill-penalties-at-12-billion/
USF lands $20.2 million grant for BP oil spill research
Jerome R. Stockfisch, Tampa Tribune
TAMPA -- Researchers at the University of South Florida have landed a $20.2
million grant to continue studying the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill.
http://www.wptv.com/news/state/usf-lands-202-million-grant-for-bp-oil-spill-research
National
McConnell confident Democrats will join EPA fight
By ADAM BEAM, Associated Press
FRANKFORT, KY. — Newly elected Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says
he expects Democrats will join him in his quest to thwart the Environmental
Protection Agency's efforts to reduce the country's carbon emissions from
coal-fired power plants.
http://www.wral.com/mcconnell-confident-democrats-will-join-epa-fight/14184505/
As controversial EPA water rule looms, GOP prepares an assault
BY CHRIS ADAMS
McClatchy Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — While the politics of climate change were at the top of the
president's agenda this week, a different environmental proposal is heading
to a showdown between Republicans and the White House, in part due to
strong pressure from Kentucky farm interests and lawmakers.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/11/14/246929/as-controversial-epa-water-rule.html
Cause of deadly leak at Texas plant still unknown
Associated Press
LA PORTE, TEXAS — DuPont officials said Sunday it's still not clear what
caused a toxic chemical to leak from a valve at a suburban Houston plant,
killing four workers and injuring a fifth.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/11/17/5918788/cause-of-deadly-leak-at-texas.html?sp=/99/184/767/312/
Chevrolet supports grassland preservation program
BY JOHN FLESHER
AP Environmental Writer
TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. — Chevrolet has become the first corporate participant
in a public-private initiative that pays farmers not to convert natural
prairie to large-scale crop production, which would release gases that are
warming the planet, officials said Monday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/11/17/5918533/chevrolet-supports-grassland-preservation.html?sp=/99/184/767/312/
Halliburton to buy Baker Hughes for $35B
USA Today
Halliburton (HAL), the second-largest U.S. oil services provider,
said Monday it would acquire its smaller rival Baker Hughes (BHI) in
a deal valued at $34.6 billion.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/11/17/halliburton-baker-hughes/19159313/
Press Releases
EPA: Every American, Business and Community Can Play a Role in Increasing
Rate of Recycling
WASHINGTON – In advance of America Recycles Day, on November 15, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls on communities, businesses, and
individuals to leave the next generation a cleaner, safer and more stable
world. The simple act of recycling reduces our country's energy
consumption, decreases our greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves our
natural resources. This year, on America Recycles Day, we celebrate all
who do their part to build a more prosperous and sustainable future by
raising the national recycling rate and instilling this responsibility in
our youngest Americans.
"As a nation, we have made tremendous progress in turning waste back into
valuable resources through recycling, but we can do more," said Mathy
Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response in remarks delivered at the Southeast Recycling
Development Council Summit on November 12, 2014. "By increasing recycling,
and reducing contamination in the recycling stream, we can provide the
valuable resources essential to a growing manufacturing sector."
Every American, every business, and every community can play a role in
increasing the rate of recycling. Individuals can compost their food waste,
donate items that are no longer needed, buy products that use less
packaging and purchase items manufactured using recycled materials.
Businesses can make a difference by looking for opportunities to reduce
waste, recycle more onsite, and design their products to be recyclable
after use. Packaging, for example, makes up nearly a third of the trash
thrown away, so even small changes to reduce packaging waste or using
materials that can be readily recycled can add up to a big win for the
environment.
In small towns and big cities recycling programs are making a difference,
with state and local governments continuing to do their part to promote
these programs. Keys to their success include collecting a wide range of
recyclable materials, funding their recycling infrastructure and making
recycling convenient. Consumers make a difference by recycling more of
their trash and following their community's recycling guidelines about what
and how to recycle. These actions lower the cost of recycling and produce
higher quality recycled materials for manufacturing.
Americans generate approximately 250 million tons of municipal solid waste
every year and currently recycle around 35 percent of their trash.
Recycling conserves vital resources, saves energy, and, in 2012, reduced
greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 33 million cars off the road
for a year. Recycling also creates green jobs and provides essential
resources. More of this trash - from our homes, workplaces and classrooms -
could be recycled or reused. Many leading cities, both large and small,
have achieved much higher rates of recycling.
The actions we take now will influence the world we pass on to the next
generation. All Americans can do their part to increase the recycling rate
by avoiding recycling stream contamination, following local guidelines on
what should and should not go into the recycling bin, participating in
additional recycling opportunities such as composting and recycling beyond
the bin. Take the time to learn what can be recycled at home, work, school,
and in your community.
To learn: epa.gov/recycle
To view President Obama's proclamation:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/14/presidential-proclamation-america-recycles-day-2014
