State
Questions linger on potential metal mill
AP
The strange recruitment of a potential $1.2 billion aluminum mill
rolls on.
American Specialty Alloys had promised to announce a site and a
financing plan by the end of the year. The company sparked a lot of
speculation by putting a countdown clock on its website that ended
at 7 p.m. Dec. 19. But George Riel, the company's chief marketing
officer, said that the countdown was only to a holiday party that
also doubled as a "roll out" event for "staff, partners and
customers."
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/12/28/american-specialty-alloys-aluminum-mill-mississippi/20985827/
Ford F-150s roll into Mississippi, ahead of the pickup pack
MBJ
by jack.weatherly
Published: December 24,2014
The federal government put the hammer down on the U.S. automotive industry
in August 2012 — issuing a mandate that the fuel efficiency of trucks and
cars had to more than double by 2025.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/12/24/ford-f-150s-roll-mississippi-ahead-pickup-pack/
Delta projects get $3.6M funding boost
Clarion Ledger
Nine projects have garnered nearly $3.6 million in federal and local
resources designed to grow the Mississippi Delta's economy and
create jobs.
•Lake Hazel Dam Rehabilitation, Hazlehurst: Improvements to
downstream slope, existing spillway and other current deficiencies
to bring city into compliance with Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality requirements for high hazard dams. DRA
investment: $201,251; total project cost: $300,379.
•Como Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements, Como: Improvements
to wastewater treatment facility to include site work, pipe,
disinfection system, post treatment aeration and electrical work to
help bring the town into DEQ compliance. DRA investment: $150,000
(total project cost).
•Tunica Sewer Improvements, Tunica: Rehabilitation of failing levee
around the local sewer lagoon. DRA investment: $41,504; leveraged
public investment: $4,612; total project cost: $46,116.
•Holly Springs Sewer Lagoon Repairs, Holly Springs: Repairs to
existing wastewater facilities to bring into compliance with
Department of Environmental Quality. DRA investment: $150,000;
leveraged public investments: $600,000; total project cost:
$750,000.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/12/27/delta-projects-get-funding-boost/20953723/
Birdwatching generates big bucks for coastal economy with room to grow
MBJ
Published: December 24,2014
By Tammy Leytham
Wildlife watching – including birding – contributes millions of dollars
each year to coastal coffers and with the new Pascagoula River Audubon
Center opening in 2015, the sky's the limit.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/12/24/birdwatching-generates-big-bucks-coastal-economy-room-grow/
Oil Spill
IMMS: 147 turtles, 48 dolphins found dead in Mississippi Sound in 2014
IMMS: 147 turtles, 48 dolphins found dead in Mississippi Sound in 2014
Sun Herald
BY JUSTIN MITCHELL
GULFPORT -- Before the 2010 BP oil spill, the Institute of Marine and
Mammal Studies in Gulfport saw, on average, about 10 to 15 sea turtle
deaths per year. In 2014, IMMS director Moby Solangi said the institute
documented 147 dead turtles.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/12/27/5989573_imms-147-turtles-48-dolphins-found.html?rh=1
BP wants oil spill settlement administrator off the case; files request
with appeals court
Jennifer Larino
The Times-Picayune
December 24, 2014 at 2:58 PM
BP has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a ruling blocking its bid
to oust oil spill claims administrator Patrick Juneau, arguing the lower
court "manifestly erred" in its decision to keep Juneau in place.
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2014/12/bp_wants_oil_spill_settlement.html#incart_river
Regional
What will be the fate of the Mobile River Basin? Time ticks by for
America's Amazon
Press Register
Ben Raines
December 28, 2014 at 10:03 PM
We still hold in our hands one of the great wildernesses, despite the
excesses of our forebears and of ourselves. It is ours to save. Or lose.
The fate of the Mobile Basin will be decided along its edges.
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/12/what_will_be_the_fate_of_the_m.html#incart_river
National
Poll: Voters' view of EPA hits low point
The Hill
A record-low number of voters have a favorable view of the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), according to a new survey from conservative
polling outlet Rasmussen Reports.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/228045-voters-views-of-epa-hit-low-point
