State
Mississippi Knocks Federal Clean Air Regs
Jackson Free Press
The Mississippi agency responsible for protecting the state's natural
resources is pushing back against a proposed federal clean-power plan
designed to reduce climate changing carbon pollution and improve citizens'
health.
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2015/jan/07/mississippi-knocks-federal-clean-air-regs/
Big Waste Collection In Marion County
WHLT
MARION CO., Miss. - The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is
working with local officials with the City of Columbia and Marion County to
collect Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW), certain electronic wastes, and
bulky appliances and white goods generated or damaged at impacted
residences in the County as a result of the storm damage from the tornado
outbreak on December 23rd.
http://www.whlt.com/story/27787132/big-waste-collection-in-marion-county
Household Waste Collection This Weekend
Columbian-Progress
http://www.columbianprogress.com/content/household-waste-collection-weekend
Columbia hazardous waste, damaged goods to be picked up
Hattiesburg American
Residents of Columbia and Marion County will be able to dispose of
hazardous wastes and household items damaged by the Dec. 23 tornado.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2015/01/07/columbia-marion-county-tornado-hazardous-waste/21412215/
New Receptacles Placed Throughout Downtown Area
Natchez Democrat
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2015/01/08/new-receptacles-placed-throughout-downtown-area/
Meeting set on hazardous waste sites
Sun Herald
BILOXI -- An information meeting Tuesday will introduce a program to
identify properties that may be affected by hazardous waste and determine
what needs to be done to clean them up.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/01/07/6005724/around-south-mississippi.html
Biloxi zoning stays same along the beach
Sun Herald
In other action Tuesday, the council:
n Executed a 50 percent payment certificate for the $15 million the state
contributed through Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to
build the minor league baseball stadium. David Nichols, chief
administrative officer, said this probably means the work is halfway done.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/01/06/6003885/biloxi-zoning-stays-same-along.html
High Hopes For Hattiesburg Recycling
WHLT
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The City's Department of Public Works has started the
new year off with a bang.
http://www.whlt.com/story/27786908/high-hopes-for-hattiesburg-recycling
Pascagoula awards $1.7M contract for citywide sewer overhaul
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
January 07, 2015 at 11:49 AM
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Pascagoula city leaders on Tuesday awarded a
$1.74 million contract to Suncoast Infrastructure Inc. for a complete sewer
rehabilitation.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/01/pascagoula_awards_17m_contract.html#incart_river
Jackson's Christmas tree recycling program has begun
Clarion Ledger
The city of Jackson announced Wednesday it will be collecting
Christmas trees through the second week of January, offering
residents an alternative to sending the trees to landfills.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2015/01/07/jackson-christmas-tree-recyclinig/21388971/
Mississippi lawmakers seeking more detailed, performance-based budgeting
process
The Associated Press
January 07, 2015 at 5:33 PM
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Mississippi lawmakers say they're gradually
starting to use performance-based budgeting -- a system that requires state
agency leaders to set clear goals and provide detailed information about
whether programs are working.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/01/mississippi_lawmakers_seeking.html#incart_river
National
For States That Don't File Carbon-Cutting Plans, E.P.A. Will Impose 'Model
Rule'
NY Times
WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency will
force states to comply with a federal "model rule" to cut
their carbon emissions if the states do not submit
customized plans under the Obama administration's new
climate change regulations, a senior official said
Wednesday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/us/politics/for-states-that-dont-file-carbon-cutting-plans-epa-will-impose-model-rule-.html?ref=earth&_r=0
EPA to Issue Power-Plant Emissions Rules This Summer
Final Regulations on Carbon Emissions to Make Up Cornerstone of Obama
Climate-Change Agenda
Wall Street Journal
WASHINGTON—The Environmental Protection Agency will issue a trio of
climate-change regulations this summer and begin writing a federal plan to
impose rules on states that don't adopt their own, the agency announced
Wednesday.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-to-issue-power-plant-emissions-rules-this-summer-1420650958
EPA delays landmark climate rule
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency is delaying its landmark climate
regulations for power plants in what it said is an effort to better
consider input on them and better align the major pieces of the
regulations.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/228783-epa-delays-climate-rule
Senator maps strategy against EPA rules
The Hill
Senate Republicans are planning a full-on assault against a wide range of
the Obama administration's environmental rules, with a focus on overturning
them or cutting their funding.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/228826-senator-maps-gop-strategy-against-epa-rules
EPA Chief: Arguing climate change is 'kind of nuts'
Arizona Republic
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy on
Wednesday called on the science community to continue to explain the
climate change.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/01/07/epa-head-addresses-climate-change-science-conference/21397167/
Fracking Data Sought by Environmental Groups in EPA Lawsuit
Bloomberg
By Andrew Zajac and Mark Drajem - Jan 7, 2015
A coalition of advocacy groups sued the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency for public access to information on toxic chemicals released by the
energy industry through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and other forms
of oil and gas drilling.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-07/environmental-groups-sue-epa-for-fracking-toxics-disclosure-1-.html
Recycling Electronic Waste Responsibly: Excuses Dwindle
NY Times
MAYBE you replaced old electronics over the holidays or
you're just sweeping out the old and ushering in the New
Year. Either way, you'll need to do something with your
old devices. For everyone's sake, including Mother
Nature's, try to get rid of your old technology the right
way.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/01/technology/personaltech/recycling-electronic-waste-responsibly-excuses-dwindle.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=fb-nytimes&bicmst=1409232722000&bicmet=1419773522000&smtyp=aut&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&_r=1
Are You Gonna Eat That? The Future of Recycling
NBC
In the very near future, you're not just going to recycle soda cans and
glass jars. You're going to recycle last night's leftovers.
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/are-you-gonna-eat-future-recycling-n273771
Press Releases
Public Assistance approved for Marion County following severe storms and
tornadoes
JACKSON – Marion County has been granted Public Assistance Categories A-G
through the Federal Emergency Management Agency following severe storms and
tornadoes on Dec. 23, 2014. Five tornadoes affected central Mississippi,
including Marion and Jones counties. The storms caused five deaths.
Mississippi also received approval to administer FEMA's Hazard Mitigation
Program statewide.
Governor Bryant's request for Individual Assistance for Jones and Marion
counties is still under review by FEMA. Individual Assistance is aid that
helps individuals and families recover.
Gov. Bryant requested a presidential disaster declaration based on damage
sustained in each county. In Marion County, 82 homes and 43 businesses were
heavily damaged or destroyed. In Jones County, eight homes and one business
were heavily damaged or destroyed. On Monday, Mississippi's entire
congressional delegation sent a letter to the president in support of Gov.
Bryant's request.
"This assistance will help rebuild the community following these tragic
tornadoes," said Gov. Bryant. "We mourn the five lives lost during the
Christmas holidays, and I am hopeful the federal government will quickly
approve the additional aid I requested."
Through the Public Assistance declaration, state and local governments and
certain non-profit groups in Marion County are eligible for certain types
of aid. Disaster costs incurred since Dec. 23 could be reimbursed by FEMA
through its 75 percent cost-sharing program.
The Public Assistance aid available includes assistance in Categories A-G
and may assist with things like repairing public roads and bridges,
rebuilding public buildings like the National Guard Armory, and removing
debris from public properties and rights of way, emergency work and actions
to prevent threats to life and property.
The Hazard Mitigation Program provides assistance for actions that reduce
the risk to life and property from natural hazards.
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