State
Waste grants awarded to Grenada, Panola County
WTVA
JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) — The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
has awarded Grenada and Panola County grants for cleanup of illegal
dumpsites.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Waste-grants-awarded-to-Grenada-Panola-County/FMT3UMLplkyUXpm9qlEPCA.cspx?rss=3033
Regional
EPA fighting order that it decide on Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone' rule making
Jennifer Larino
The Times-Picayune
December 04, 2014 at 4:09 PM
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants the federal appeals court in
New Orleans to overturn an order that forces the EPA to decide whether
federal rules are needed to curb the flow of pollutants into the
Mississippi River. The pollutants ultimately feed a low-oxygen "dead zone"
along Louisiana's coast each spring.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/12/epa_fighting_order_forcing_it.html#incart_river
Snapper fishing has some seeing red
Pensacola News Journal
WASHINGTON – Frustrated Gulf Coast lawmakers are pushing a bill to
give their states more power to manage the economically important
red snapper population, a move aimed at opening up the rebounding
stock to more recreational fishing.
http://www.pnj.com/story/sports/outdoors/fishing/2014/12/04/red-snapper-fishing/19925859/
National
'Game we can't win': Coal states brace for growing number of plant closures
over EPA rules
Fox News
WASHINGTON – The energy industry and coal-producing states are projecting
a wave of power plant closures in the final two years of the Obama
administration as Environmental Protection Agency regulations take hold.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/12/05/coal-power-plant-closures/?intcmp=latestnews
EPA, Corps May Withdraw Interpretive Rule On Permit-Exempt Conservation
Practices
Bloomberg
The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
haven't ruled out the option of withdrawing a non-binding interpretive rule
that outlines agricultural conservation practices that would be exempt from
Clean Water Act dredge-and-fill permits due to the confusion it has caused
among farmers and ranchers, an Agriculture Department official said Dec. 3.
http://www.bna.com/epa-corps-may-n17179917976/
Oil Drillers to Accept Some EPA Rules to Avoid Curbs on Methane
Bloomberg
By Mark Drajem - Dec 4, 2014
A lobbying group for oil producers including Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (APC) said it would accept proposed rules on
pollution from oil wells in order to head-off a broad federal standard for
methane leaks.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2014-12-04/oil-drillers-to-accept-some-epa-rules-to-avoid-curbs-on-methane.html
Natural gas reserves hit all-time high
The Hill
The amount of proven natural gas reserves in the United States grew last
year to their highest point on record.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/225996-natural-gas-reserves-hit-all-time-high
Press Releases
Obama Administration Selects Itta Bena and Clarksdale, Mississippi to
Develop Local Food Projects, Encourage Economic Expansion/ Local Foods
Local Places Initiative encourages creative economic development in 26
communities in 19 states
CONTACT: Jason McDonald, (404)-562-9203, mcdonald.jason@epa.gov
ATLANTA--On behalf of the White House Rural Council, six federal agencies
joined to announce 26 communities including Itta Bena and Clarksdale,
Mississippi have been selected to participate in Local Foods, Local Places,
a federal initiative providing technical support to integrate local food
systems into community economic action plans. Under this effort, a team of
agricultural, transportation, environmental, public health and regional
economic experts will work directly with the communities to develop
specifically identified local food projects. Project proposals include
repurposing vacant land into local food production, developing year-round
retail markets for local food products, and establishing food hubs to
increase local food supply chains.
"The Local Foods, Local Places initiative illustrates that communities are
thinking about creative ways to integrate local food in their community
economic development plans," said USDA's Deputy Under Secretary Doug
O'Brien. "The projects developed via Local Foods, Local Places will
revitalize rural Main Streets and urban downtown areas, and create market
opportunities for food producers and entrepreneurs."
"Our agencies are working together to make a visible difference in
communities," said EPA Acting Deputy Administrator Stan Meiburg. "By
promoting farmers markets, community kitchens, and other efforts to
increase access to healthy food, we are supporting local businesses in
struggling downtown neighborhoods and preserving farms and undeveloped
land. It's good for people's health, good for the economy, and good for the
environment."
"The Local Foods, Local Places Initiative recognizes the relationship
between available transportation and the health and well-being of our
communities. This collaboration provides local communities an opportunity
to transform vacant spaces into vibrant spaces, which will provide better
food options and better mobility for their residents," said U.S. DOT
Undersecretary Peter Rogoff.
Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Christopher Masingill
announced Itta Bena and Clarksdale are two of seven communities in four
states that will be receiving Local Foods, Local Places technical support
in the Delta region via conference call. The Itta Bena community will
receive technical assistance to create a permanent grocery store and
lasting local food network. In Clarksdale, the community will receive
technical assistance to develop a job training program based on vegetable
farming and community gardens that will supply food for a farmers market
and a café. A complete list of communities participating in the Local
Foods, Local Places Initiative is available here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/lflp_community_list.pdf
"As a region historically centered on agriculture, it is important to
strengthen and grow the local food systems that have supported the Delta
communities and this country for centuries," said DRA Federal Co-Chairman
Chris Masingill. "The Delta Regional Authority is proud to support this
innovative program which is in an investment into community health and
economic growth for workers, businesses and families in the Delta region."
Local Foods, Local Places is a partnership among USDA, EPA, U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the
Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). The initiative draws on the Administration's Partnership
for Sustainable Communities, USDA's Seven Strategies for Economic
Development and other place-based strategies to address regional
challenges. The 26 Local Foods, Local Places communities were chosen from
among 316 applicants. The initiative is jointly funded at $800,000. This
amount, and the projects it will support, will make a significant impact in
communities involved in the Local Foods, Local Places initiative.
USDA Secretary Vilsack identified strengthening local food systems as one
of the four pillars of USDA's commitment to rural economic development,
along with production agriculture (including expanding export markets and
improving research), promoting conservation and outdoor recreation
opportunities, and growing the bio-based economy. Local Foods, Local Places
is part of USDA's commitment to support local and regional food systems.
USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative coordinates the
Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and
regional food systems.
About the White House Rural Council
To address challenges in Rural America, build on the administration's rural
economic strategy, and improve the implementation of that strategy, the
president signed an executive order establishing the White House Rural
Council. The council coordinates the administration's efforts in rural
America by streamlining and improving the effectiveness of federal programs
serving rural America; engage stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers,
and local citizens, on issues and solutions in rural communities; and
promoting and coordinating private-sector partnerships. The work of the
White House Rural Council and USDA to bring investment to rural America is
an example of how the Administration is creating smart partnerships with
the private sector to better support Americans in all parts of the country.
