State
Judge names receiver for KiOR plant, but tax payment unclear
AP
By JEFF AMY
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A Lowndes County judge has appointed a receiver to
watch over KiOR's Columbus biofuel refinery, as owners and creditors seek a
buyer.
http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=9RzsNZdj
Oil regulator oversees investigation
WLBT
The investigation into an oil well explosion in Smith County continues.
Currently crews are preparing the site, to put out a fire that has been
burning for over 24 hours now. That could take several days to extinguish
according to experts.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/27955991/oil-regulator-oversees-investigation
City working to smooth recycling transition
Hattiesburg American
The new year has meant new routes, new recycling responsibilities
and a fleet of new trucks for the City of Hattiesburg's Public Works
Department.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2015/01/27/hattiesburg-garbage-trash/22435097/
East Biloxi gets infrastructure replacement, work to take three years
WLOX
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -Nearly a decade after Hurricane Katrina, $117 million
worth of work to replaced old and damaged infrastructure is finally
underway in East Biloxi and officials said there are even more improvements
ahead for that area. While work has started on installing the new water,
sewer and drainage lines, it will be a while before some residents see the
full impact of the overhaul.
http://www.wlox.com/story/27944881/east-biloxi-gets-infrastructure-replacement-work-to-take-three-years
Shrimping association pushing for legislation to help the industry
WLOX
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) -It is estimated Americans will eat 1.5 billion
pounds of shrimp this year, but it's not South Mississippi shrimpers that
will benefit. According to NOAA, it's foreign countries.
http://www.wlox.com/story/27956053/shrimping-association-pushing-for-legislation-to-help-the-industry
The Tenn-Tom Museum to be dedicated Feb. 6 in Columbus
AP
COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) — Next week marks the opening of the
Tennessee-Tombigbee Transportation Museum in Columbus.
The dedication of the museum will be Feb. 6.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/The-Tenn-Tom-Museum-to-be-dedicated-Feb-6-in/R7y5WXJIr0ejdfyn-y25Sw.cspx
Oil Spill
BP executive: 'Nothing we can do or say' can change oil spill tragedy
Jennifer Larino
The Times-Picayune
January 27, 2015 at 2:08 PM
A BP executive testified Tuesday that the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill was
a tragedy, but he is proud of the company and the efforts of its employees
in gathering resources and experts to contain the disaster.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2015/01/bp_executive_nothing_we_can_do.html
BP executive: Company moved 'heaven-and-earth' to cleanup 2010 Gulf oil
spill
The Associated Press
January 27, 2015 at 4:04 PM
An executive for the BP subsidiary that faces billions of dollars in
possible fines for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill testified Tuesday that
it is uncertain whether other BP entities would step in to help pay a steep
penalty.
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/bp_executive_company_moved_hea.html#incart_river
National
Court battle set for Obama climate rule
The Hill
A federal appeals court has agreed to hear arguments in a pair of cases
challenging the Obama administration's climate rule proposal for power
plants.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/230922-court-to-hear-cases-against-epa-climate-rule
EPA seeks small business input on power plant rules
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency is looking for small businesses and
nonprofits to sit on a panel and review the agency's plan to regulate
greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
http://thehill.com/regulation/energy-environment/230862-epa-seeks-small-business-input-on-power-plant-rules
NTSB: SYSTEMIC FLAWS IN SAFETY OVERSIGHT OF GAS PIPELINES
BY JOAN LOWY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Three powerful accidents in recent years highlight
weaknesses in the oversight of how natural gas providers maintain the
largest pipelines in their networks, accident investigators said Tuesday as
they issued more than two dozen safety recommendations.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GAS_LINE_ACCIDENTS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
EPA chief heads to Vatican to talk climate
The Hill
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Gina McCarthy is traveling to
Vatican City this and next week to talk with senior Catholic officials
about climate change.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/230851-epa-chief-heads-to-vatican-to-talk-climate
Big Oil Faces Time of Reckoning
Shell, BP and Others to Report Earnings, Reveal What Role Lower Crude
Prices Played On Results
Wall Street Journal
LONDON—In the coming days, the world's biggest publicly traded oil
companies will report fourth-quarter earnings, offering the best look yet
at the bite lower crude prices have taken out of Big Oil.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/big-oil-faces-time-of-reckoning-1422395792
Press releases
Canton, Miss., Among 22 Communities Selected Nationally to Receive EPA
Assistance to Advance Sustainability Goals and Foster Economic Development
Contact: Davina Marraccini, 404-562-8293 (direct), 404-562-8400 (main),
marraccini.davina@epa.gov
ATLANTA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced
that Canton, Miss., is among 22 communities selected to receive technical
assistance to pursue development strategies that support smart growth and
sustainability goals and encourage local economic development. EPA selected
this year's recipients from among 121 applicants to the Building Blocks for
Sustainable Communities program. EPA staff and national experts will
conduct one to two-day workshops in the communities that focus on the
specific sustainability tool each community requested in its application to
EPA.
"Many communities are seeking EPA's assistance to think through how and
where they will grow – while protecting the environment and helping members
of the community most in need," said Joel Beauvais, associate administrator
for EPA's Office of Policy. "Our Building Blocks program brings the
technical know-how to help communities overcome the barriers to sustainable
growth so they can plan for a healthier, more vibrant future."
The agency is offering five tools this year: Bikeshare Planning, Equitable
Development, Infill Development for Distressed Cities, Sustainable
Strategies for Small Cities and Rural Areas, and Flood Resilience for
Riverine and Coastal Communities. Using the infill development tool, EPA
will help Canton facilitate the use of in-town lots to stimulate
neighborhood revitalization and economic improvements, particularly around
the Historical Square, now a focal point for redevelopment.
EPA also selected the following communities, located in 17 other states:
Asheville, N.C.; Austin, Texas; Baton Rouge, La.; Cincinnati, Ohio;
Damariscotta, Maine; Danville, Ill.; Fresno, Calif.; Marysville, Wash.;
Mobile, Ala.; Nederland, Colo.; New Paltz, N.Y.; Newburyport, Mass; Passaic
County, N.J.; Polk County, Iowa; Prichard, Ala.; Red Cliff Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa, Wis.; Santa Ynez Band of Chamash Indians, Calif;
Scituate, Mass; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Steamboat Springs, Colo.; and Terre
Haute, Ind.
Since 2011, the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program has
provided assistance to 130 communities in 41 states. As a result of this
assistance, community groups, local governments, and tribal governments
across the nation have increased their capacity to successfully implement
smart growth and sustainable approaches that protect the environment,
improve public health, create jobs, expand economic opportunity, prepare
for the effects of climate change, and improve overall quality of life.
EPA will conduct the planned workshops in coordination with the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT) through the Partnership for Sustainable
Communities. Through the Partnership, EPA, HUD, and DOT work together to
coordinate investments in housing, transportation, and environmental
protection to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money
more efficiently.
More information on the Building Blocks program:
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm
More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities:
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/partnership/index.html
EPA Helps 22 Communities to Meet their Sustainability Goals and Foster
Economic Development
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced
that 22 communities will receive technical assistance to pursue development
strategies that support smart growth and sustainability goals and encourage
local economic development. EPAselected this year's recipients from among
121 applicants to the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program.
EPA staff and national experts will conduct one to two-day workshops in the
communities that focus on the specific sustainability tool each community
requested in its application to EPA.
Many communities are seeking EPA's assistance to think through how and
where they will grow – while protecting the environment and helping members
of the community most in need," said Joel Beauvais, associate administrator
for EPA's Office of Policy. "Our Building Blocks program brings the
technical know-how to help communities overcome the barriers to sustainable
growth so they can plan for a healthier, more vibrant future."
EPA selected the following communities, located in 18states: Asheville,
N.C.; Austin, Texas; Baton Rouge, La.;Canton, Miss.; Cincinnati, Ohio;
Damariscotta, Maine; Danville, Ill.; Fresno, Calif.; Marysville, Wash.;
Mobile, Ala.; Nederland, Colo.; New Paltz, N.Y.; Newburyport, Mass; Passaic
County, N.J.; Polk County, Iowa; Prichard, Ala.; Red Cliff Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa, Wis.; Santa Ynez Band of Chamash Indians, Calif;
Scituate, Mass; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Steamboat Springs, Colo.; and Terre
Haute, Ind.
The agency is offering five tools this year: Bikeshare Planning, Equitable
Development, Infill Development for Distressed Cities, Sustainable
Strategies for Small Cities and Rural Areas, and Flood Resilience for
Riverine and Coastal Communities. Using the flood resilience tool, for
example, EPA will help Newburyport, Mass. explore green infrastructure
solutions to coastal erosion and river flooding to protect the town's
vibrant riverfront economy. EPA will also help New Paltz, New York amend
its village code to make the historic downtown more resilient to flooding,
which disproportionately affects minority and low-income residents.
Since 2011, the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program has
provided assistance to 130communities in 41 states. As a result of this
assistance, community groups, local governments, and tribal governments
across the nation have increased their capacity to successfully implement
smart growth and sustainable approaches that protect the environment,
improve public health, create jobs, expand economic opportunity, prepare
for the effects of climate change, and improve overall quality of life.
EPA will conduct these workshops in coordination with the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT)through the Partnership for Sustainable
Communities.Through the Partnership, EPA, HUD, and DOT work together to
coordinate investments in housing, transportation, and environmental
protection to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money
more efficiently.
More information on the Building Blocks program:
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm
More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities:
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/partnership/index.html
EPA Seeks Input on Federal Plan for Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
from Power Plants
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting
small businesses, governments and not-for-profit organizations to
participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) on a Small Business
Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel for the federal plan that EPA is developing as
part of the Clean Power Plan. This panel is part of a standard federal
government process and will focus on the agency's development of a proposed
Federal Plan for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electric Generating Units
that will cut carbon pollution from existing power plants, the largest
source of this pollution in the country.
Reaching out and engaging with the public and stakeholders has been the
agency's top priority throughout the development of this rule, and EPA is
committed to continuing this engagement moving forward. Based on input from
states and stakeholders, EPA believes that many states will find the
information included in this plan helpful as they begin to develop their
own plans to cut carbon pollution from power plants.
This panel will provide important feedback to the agency as it works to
develop a proposed federal plan.
It is being established pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and
will include federal representatives from the Small Business Administration
(SBA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and EPA. The panel
members ask a selected group of SERs to provide advice and recommendations
on behalf of their company, community, or organization to inform the panel
members about the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small entities.
EPA seeks self-nominations directly from the small entities that may be
subject to the rule requirements.Other representatives, such as trade
associations that exclusively or at least primarily represent potentially
regulated small entities, may also serve as SERs.
Self-nominations may be submitted through the link below and must be
received by February 10, 2015.
Nominate yourself as a SER by visiting
http://www.epa.gov/rfa/cpp-federal-plan.html
More information about Federal Plan for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from
Electric Generating Units:
http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/fact-sheet-clean-power-plan-carbon-pollution-standards-key-dates
EPA Awarding Grants to Protect and Restore Wetlands
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $1
million in grants to strengthen the capacity of states and tribes to
protect and restore wetlands. The National Wetland Program Development
Grants provide interstate agencies, intertribal consortia, and non-profit
organizations with funding to develop and refine comprehensive state,
tribal, and local wetland programs.
"Wetlands are part of the foundation of our nation's water resources and
are vital to the health of waterways and communities that are downstream,"
said Ken Kopocis, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water at EPA.
"Wetlands feed downstream waters, trap floodwaters, recharge groundwater
supplies, remove pollution, and provide fish and wildlife habitat. Wetlands
are also economic drivers because of their key role in fishing, hunting,
agriculture and recreation."
EPA is announcing the award of six proposals. All proposed projects must be
linked to environmental results and demonstrate how they will contribute to
developing healthy communities and ecosystems. The selected proposals are:
· Leveraging Hazard Mitigation Buyouts (acquisition of flood prone
areas) to Protect and Restore Wetlands and Improve Watershed Health -
The Environmental Law Institute and the University of North Carolina
will investigate and map hazard mitigation buyouts in three states to
examine the potential wetland habitat and flood mitigation benefits
of acquired properties. The two organizations will provide
recommendations to help wetland programs across the country enhance
collaboration with hazard mitigation planners and emergency managers.
They will also leverage hazard mitigation buyouts to restore, manage,
and connect acquired properties to provide wetland and wildlife
habitat and improve community resilience.
· Improving In-Lieu Fee Mitigation Practice Through Training - The
Environmental Law Institute will design and host a conference and a
series of webinars devoted to addressing the needs of state, tribal,
and local governments seeking approval for, administering, or
overseeing In-Lieu Fee compensatory wetland mitigation programs.
· Creation of an Online Academy to Advance the Use of Living Shorelines
- Restore America's Estuaries and its partners will create and
operate a "Living Shorelines Academy" focused on promoting the use of
natural protection methods to reduce degradation of fringing
shorelines and fish habitat that surround our nation's estuaries.
· Development of a Stewardship Calculator for Wetland Mitigation
Banking - The Nature Conservancy and its partners will convene a
group of national experts to develop a Wetland Stewardship
Calculator, accompanying handbook, and web-based application. These
resources will support the ability of states, tribes, local
governments, and land trusts ("wetland stewards") to successfully
provide long-term stewardship of wetland protection sites.
· Creating New Access to High Quality Wetland Training for State and
Tribal Wetland Program Field Professionals - The Association of State
Wetland Managers and its partners will focus on connecting state,
tribal, and wetland professionals with training opportunities and
resources. The project will increase these professionals' ability to
implement wetland programs. ASWM will convene a Working Group to
identify national and regional wetland training needs and assist in
developing the other products of this project.
· Raising the Bar on Wetland Restoration Success Nationwide - The
Association of State Wetlands Managers will work on several related
projects. These include developing a national strategy for improving
wetland restoration success and pursuing strategies to improve permit
application and review of voluntary restoration projects. ASWM will
also work on developing a series of written and web-based resources
on best management approaches for wetland restoration.
For more information:
http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/initiative_index.cfm
