State
More parties join lawsuit against Mississippi Silicon plant being built in
northeast Miss.
By JEFF AMY
Associated Press
JACKSON, Mississippi — The legal fight over a silicon metal plant being
built in northeast Mississippi is expanding.
http://m.therepublic.com/view/story/59b69a39d8034d5d90b778415c418315/MS--Mississippi-Silicon
Consultants' emails portray MDEQ as permit facilitator for silicon plant
MBJ
by Ted Carter
Published: December 2,2014
Consultants working to help Mississippi Silicon gain a clean air permit for
a Burnsville silicon plant apparently perceived the Mississippi Department
of Environmental Quality as more of an ally eager to move the project
forward than a regulator.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/12/02/consultants-emails-portray-mdeq-permit-facilitator-silicon-plant/
MDEQ actions at center of trio of federal suits against Mississippi Silicon
MBJ
by Ted Carter
Published: December 2,2014
Gov. Phil Bryant, executives from Mississippi Silicon and local and
regional officials gathered in January for a groundbreaking ceremony at the
site of the company's silicon metal production facility in Burnsville in
Tishomingo County. Mississippi Silicon announced last December it would be
locating the facility in Burnsville, a $200 million corporate investment
that it hoped to create 200 jobs.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/12/02/mdeq-actions-center-trio-federal-suits-mississippi-silicon/
Groundworx looks to settle matters in court with Hattiesburg
WDAM
POPLARVILLE, MS (WDAM) -The City of Hattiesburg and Groundworx, LLC met in
court Tuesday to further discuss the city's contractual obligations with
the company who was going to construct the city's wastewater treatment
facility before the contract was terminated in August.
http://www.wdam.com/story/27529158/groundworx-looks-to-settle-matters-in-court-with-hattiesburg
Groundworx-Hattiesburg motions taken under advisement
Hattiesburg American
Three of four motions presented Tuesday in 10th District Chancery
Court in the breach of contract complaint filed by Groundworx LLC
against the City of Hattiesburg were taken under advisement.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2014/12/02/groundworx-motions-review/19814495/
Hattiesburg council implements fee for curbside recycling
WDAM
The Hattiesburg City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to implement
a measure that will continue curbside recycling in the city at a
participation cost of three dollars per month, per household.
http://www.wdam.com/story/27529602/hattiesburg-council-implements-fee-for-curbside-recycling
Gulfport spends $14 million on land for 'world-class' aquarium
Sun Herald
BY MARY PEREZ
GULFPORT -- Mayor Billy Hewes envisions an aquarium that will be
interactive, educational and fun -- and link downtown to Jones Park with a
skyway over U.S. 90.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/12/02/5946963/gulfport-buys-land-for-world-class.html?sp=/99/184/201/
Oil Spill
Alabama submits $54 million in projects to oil spill Restoration Council
for funding
Press-Register
Dennis Pillion
MOBILE, Alabama -- The state of Alabama has submitted five proposed
restoration projects with a total estimated cost of $54.2 million to the
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, a federally-created body charged
with administering a large portion of Clean Water Act penalties from the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
http://www.al.com/news/beaches/index.ssf/2014/12/gulf_coast_ecosystem_restorati.html#incart_river
LSU researchers get $24 million to study impacts of BP oil spill
Jed Lipinski
The Times-Picayune
December 02, 2014 at 11:03 AM
To study the myriad and lasting effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,
the BP-funded Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative recently granted $140
million to 12 research projects designed to address the impact of the spill
on human health and coastal communities.
http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2014/12/lsu_researchers_receive_millio.html#incart_river
Pre-trial hearing set for ex-BP exec
The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — Attorneys for one of the men facing criminal charges in
connection with the 2010 Gulf oil spill are hashing out a variety of issues
ahead of a March trial.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/12/03/5948071/pre-trial-hearing-set-for-ex-bp.html?sp=/99/184/218/
National
Nike, IKEA join 221 companies in backing EPA's climate rule
The Hill
Major sportswear retailer Nike and furniture giant IKEA are backing the
administration's landmark climate rule on carbon pollution from existing
power plants.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/225732-nike-ikea-join-221-companies-in-backing-epas-climate-rule
EPA eases media rules for scientists
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency is reversing course, saying that the
independent scientists on its advisory committees may speak freely with
representatives of the media.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/225706-epa-eases-media-rules-for-scientists
Senate passes increase in duck stamp price
The Hill
The Senate passed two bills dealing with conservation efforts on Tuesday.
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/225733-senate-passes-increase-in-duck-stamp-price
Opinion
A Wake-Up Call For U.S. Farmers: The EPA Is Trying To Put You Out of
Business
Forbes
The Environmental Protection Agency is arguably the worst regulatory agency
in the history of the world. But perhaps I understate.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/henrymiller/2014/12/03/a-wake-up-call-for-u-s-farmers-epa-is-trying-to-put-you-out-of-business/2/
Press Releases
Deadline Extended to Apply for EPA's 2015 Environmental Justice Small
Grants Program
Contact: Davina Marraccini, 404-562-8293 (direct), 404-562-8400 (main),
marraccini.davina@epa.gov
ATLANTA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the
deadline for eligible non-profit groups and tribal communities to apply for
the 2015 Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program. The EJSG
Program provides funding for projects that help communities understand and
address exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks at the local
level. The application deadline has been extended from Dec. 15, 2014, to
Jan. 9, 2015.
EPA recognizes the critical role of helping communities with localized
strategies to avoid, lessen, or delay the risks and impacts associated with
our changing climate. As a result, this year's EJSG Program will have a
special emphasis on proposals supporting community-based preparedness and
resilience efforts (community climate resiliency). In an effort to ensure
that support reaches new areas, the Agency also is prioritizing funding to
organizations that have not recently received an award under the EJSG
Program.
The total estimated amount of funding available for awards under this
solicitation for fiscal year 2015 is approximately $1.2 million. EPA
anticipates awarding up to four grants per EPA region in amounts of up to
$30,000 per award for a two-year project period.
Potential applicants in the Southeast who have questions about the
application process may contact Deborah Carter, EPA Region 4's Grants
Coordinator, at 404-562-9668, or carter.deborah@epa.gov.
More information regarding the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program,
including the Request for Applications and descriptions of previously
funded grants:
http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| USDA Announces Support for Producers of Advanced Biofuel |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
|WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA |
|is making $5.6 million in grants to 220 producers across the nation to support the |
|production of advanced biofuels, and is awarding more than $4 million in additional |
|grants that will advance the bioeconomy and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign |
|oil. |
| |
| |
|"Producing advanced biofuel is a major component of the drive to take control of |
|America's energy future by developing domestic, renewable energy sources," Vilsack |
|said. "These resources represent the Obama Administration's commitment to support an |
|'all-of-the-above' energy strategy that seeks to build a robust bio-based economy. |
|Investments in biofuels will also help create jobs and further diversify the economy in|
|our rural communities." |
| |
| |
|The funding for producers announced today is being provided through USDA's Advanced |
|Biofuel Payment Program, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under this |
|program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of advanced |
|biofuel produced from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. Examples of |
|eligible feedstocks include but are not limited to: crop residue; animal, food and yard|
|waste; vegetable oil; and animal fat. |
| |
| |
|Through the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, USDA supports the research, investment |
|and infrastructure necessary to build a strong biofuel industry that creates jobs and |
|broadens the range of feedstocks used to produce renewable fuel. USDA has made more |
|than $280 million in payments to more than 350 producers (more than 3,100 total |
|payments) in 47 states and territories since the program's inception. These payments |
|have supported the production of more than 5.8 billion gallons of advanced biofuel and |
|the equivalent of more than 58 billion kilowatt hours of electric energy. |
| |
| |
|Also today, USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the |
|award of fiscal year 2014 grants through three other programs supporting bioenergy |
|initiatives. |
| |
| |
|The National Biodiesel Board and Regents of the University of Idaho received $768,000 |
|and $192,000 respectively, through the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program. The program |
|was established to stimulate biodiesel consumption and the development of a biodiesel |
|infrastructure. The funded education and outreach activities will raise awareness of |
|biodiesel fuel use among governmental and private entities that operate vehicle fleets |
|and the public. Funded projects also focus on educational programs supporting advances |
|in infrastructure, technology transfer, fuel quality, fuel safety and increasing |
|feedstock production. |
| |
| |
|South Dakota State University (SDSU) received $2.3 million through the Sun Grant |
|Program. This program encourages bioenergy and biomass research collaboration between |
|government agencies, land-grant colleges and universities, and the private sector. SDSU|
|will lead a consortium of five regional grant centers and one subcenter that makes |
|competitive grants to projects that contribute to research, education and outreach for |
|the regional production and sustainability of possible biobased feedstocks. The project|
|period will not exceed five years. |
| |
| |
|Through the Critical Agricultural Materials program, Iowa State University of Science |
|and Technology received $1 million for the development of new paint, coating, and |
|adhesive products that are derived from acrylated glycerol, which is a co-product of |
|the biodiesel industry. The Critical Agricultural Materials program supports the |
|development of products that are manufactured from domestically-produced agricultural |
|materials and are of strategic and industrial importance to benefit the economy, |
|defense, and general well-being of the nation. Many such products replace |
|petroleum-based products and offer opportunities to create new businesses and new |
|markets for agricultural materials. |
| |
| |
|Examples of producers receiving USDA Advanced Biofuel payments today are Appling County|
|Pellets, in Baxley, Ga. It received $22,475 for its production of more than 358,000 |
|metric tons of wood pellets. Appling sells premium-grade wood pellets for sustainable |
|wood fuel use to markets in the northeastern United States and Europe. |
| |
| |
|AgPower Jerome of Shoshone, Idaho, is receiving $3,027 for the conversion of nearly 137|
|million gallons of dairy cattle manure into 25.5 million kWh of electricity that is |
|sold to a local utility. |
| |
| |
|White Mountain Biodiesel, LLC of North Haverhill, N.H., a producer of biodiesel from |
|waste vegetable oil, received $8,655. The company produced almost 1.8 million gallons |
|of biodiesel from almost 2 million gallons of waste vegetable oil. The biodiesel is |
|distributed throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. |
| |
| |
|Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, LLC of Phillipsburg, Kan., produced 6.9 million gallons of|
|ethanol from almost 2.6 million bushels of sorghum and received $18,128. |
| |
| |
|View the list of producers receiving payments here. (Payments of $500 or less are not |
|listed.) |
| |
| |
|President Obama's historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities|
|stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, |
|businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way |
|– strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. |
| |
| |
|# |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
