State
Governor's oyster council looks to boost ailing industry
WLOX
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -The governor's new oyster council held its first meeting
Tuesday morning. Created just over a week ago, the group is charged with
finding the best ways to help restore an ailing industry.
http://www.wlox.com/story/28076028/governors-oyster-council-looks-to-boost-ailing-industry
Oyster Council will focus on environment, economy and aquaculture in South
Mississippi
Sun Herald
BY PAUL HAMPTON
BILOXI -- The Governor's Oyster Council has until June 2 to show Gov. Phil
Bryant ways to deal with a crisis in the Mississippi oyster industry.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/02/10/6063812_oyster-council-will-focus-on-environment.html?rh=1
MDEQ: Water in Waveland safe to touch again
WLOX
WAVELAND, MS (WLOX) -It's safe to go in that stretch of water in Waveland
that had high bacteria levels. The Mississippi Department of Environmental
Quality on Tuesday lifted the water contact advisory from Oak Boulevard
east to Favre Street that was issued February 6th.
http://www.wlox.com/story/28071297/mdeq-water-in-waveland-safe-to-touch-again
Groundworx appealing dismissal of suit against Hub City
Hattiesburg American
A local wastewater disposal company is appealing to the Mississippi
Supreme Court the dismissal of its breach-of-contract suit against
the City of Hattiesburg.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2015/02/10/groundworx-appeal/23196249/
Ocean Expo site in demand in D'Iberville but at what price?
Taxpayers currently footing bill of more than $300,000 a year on property
Sun Herald
BY MARY PEREZ
D'IBERVILLE -- With the contract to build Ocean Expo aquarium having
expired in 2013 -- and D'Iberville taxpayers spending more than $300,000
each year to repay the special-obligation bond for the land -- the City
Council is considering selling the aquarium site.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/02/10/6065031_ocean-expo-site-in-demand-in-diberville.html?rh=1
Oil Spill
Escambia County wants to build riverfront park
Pensacola News Journal
Picture this: a riverfront park with winding pathways along the
banks, a pavilion and picnic tables for people to take in the lush
scenery dotted with oak trees and a boat and kayak launch to enjoy
the water.
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2015/02/10/escambia-county-wants-build-river-front-park/23179553/
National
Obama unveils $2B goal for private investments in climate fight
The Hill
The White House announced a $2 billion goal for private sector investments
in the fight to tackle climate change, and improve low-carbon energy
technology.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/232308-obama-unveils-2b-goal-for-private-investments-in-climate-fight
WH: Climate change directly impacts more Americans than terrorism
The Hill
The White House stood by its decision on Tuesday to include climate change
impacts in its national security strategy released last week.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/232310-wh-more-americans-directly-affected-by-climate-change-than
GOP senators say EPA's numbers don't add up on ozone
The Hill
A pair of Republican senators is asking the Environmental Protection Agency
why its ozone rule predicts much higher benefits than a similar plan three
years prior.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/232300-gop-senators-say-epas-numbers-dont-add-up-on-ozone
EPA to spend $3M replacing school buses
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday that it will spend $3
million trying to clean up kids' rides to school.
http://thehill.com/regulation/232367-epa-to-spend-3-million-on-school-buses
Opinion
The EPA Annexes Sweden
Volvo is challenging the U.S. agency's authority to regulate diesel-engine
pollution across borders.
Wall Street Journal
The diesel engine is a wonder of torque and thermal efficiency, but it
emits soot and other unpleasantness. The Environmental Protection Agency is
a wonder among regulatory agencies, having discovered authority to regulate
diesel-engine pollution in other countries.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/holman-jenkins-the-epa-annexes-sweden-1423614114
Press Releases
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| USDA Announces Funding for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects |
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| REAP Program Reduces Energy Costs for Ag Producers and Small Businesses, Boosts |
| Economy, Reduces Dependence on Foreign Oil |
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|WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that |
|rural agricultural producers and small business owners can now apply for resources to |
|purchase and install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. |
|These efforts help farmers, ranchers and other small business owners save money on |
|their energy bills, reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, support America's clean|
|energy economy, and cut carbon pollution. The resources announced today are made |
|possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. |
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|"Developing renewable energy presents an enormous economic opportunity for rural |
|America," Vilsack said. "The funding we are making available will help farmers, |
|ranchers, business owners, tribal organizations and other entities incorporate |
|renewable energy and energy efficiency technology into their operations. Doing so can |
|help a business reduce energy use and costs while improving its bottom line. While |
|saving producers money and creating jobs, these investments reduce dependence on |
|foreign oil and cut carbon pollution as well." |
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|USDA is making more than $280 million available to eligible applicants through the |
|Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Application deadlines vary by project type and|
|the type of assistance requested. Details on how to apply are on page 78029 of the |
|December 29, 2014 Federal Register or are available by contacting state Rural |
|Development offices. |
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|USDA is offering grants for up to 25 percent of total project costs and loan guarantees|
|for up to 75 percent of total project costs for renewable energy systems and energy |
|efficiency improvements. The REAP application window has been expanded. USDA will now |
|accept and review loan and grant applications year-round. |
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|Eligible renewable energy projects must incorporate commercially available technology. |
|This includes renewable energy from wind, solar, ocean, small hydropower, hydrogen, |
|geothermal and renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters). The maximum grant |
|amount is $500,000, and the maximum loan amount is $25 million per applicant. |
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|Energy efficiency improvement projects eligible for REAP funding include lighting, |
|heating, cooling, ventilation, fans, automated controls and insulation upgrades that |
|reduce energy consumption. The maximum grant amount is $250,000, and the maximum loan |
|amount is $25 million per applicant. |
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|USDA is offering a second type of grant to support organizations that help farmers, |
|ranchers and small businesses conduct energy audits and operate renewable energy |
|projects. Eligible applicants include: units of state, tribal or local governments; |
|colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning; rural electric |
|cooperatives and public power entities, and conservation and development districts. The|
|maximum grant is $100,000. Applications for these particular grants have been available|
|since December 29 of last year and are due February 12. |
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|The REAP program was created in the 2002 Farm Bill. Because of the success of the |
|program, Congress reauthorized it in the 2014 Farm Bill with guaranteed funding of no |
|less than $50 million in annual funding for the duration of the 5 year bill. The 2014 |
|Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years |
|while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. |
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|Since 2009, USDA has awarded $545 million for more than 8,800 REAP projects nationwide.|
|This includes $361 million in REAP grants and loans for more than 2,900 renewable |
|energy systems. When fully operational, these systems are expected to generate more |
|than 6 billion kilowatt hours annually – enough to power more than 5.5 million homes |
|for a year. |
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|In 2013, owners of the Ideal Dairy restaurant in Richfield, Utah, used REAP funding to |
|install 80 solar modules and two 10-kilowatt inverters, which convert energy from solar|
|panels to electricity. The owners have saved, on average, $400 per month. These savings|
|have helped them preserve their restaurant and livelihood. |
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|President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and |
|resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's 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. USDA's investments in rural communities support the |
|rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values. |
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EPA Awards Rebates to 30 States to Replace 210 School Buses
WASHINGTON –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing
the award of more than $3 million in rebates to replace 210 older diesel
school buses with new buses that are more than 90 percent cleaner, reducing
pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that are linked
to health problems including asthma and lung damage. Seventy-six school bus
fleets in 30 states will receive rebates through EPA's Diesel Emissions
Reduction Act (DERA) funding to replace school buses.
"Americans put their children on school buses for a safe ride to school.
They shouldn't have to worry about harmful pollutants emitted from these
buses," said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office
of Air and Radiation. "This funding will help keep our children safe and
improve the health of those in communities across the country."
Since 2008, the DERA program has funded over 600 clean diesel projects
across the country. These projects have reduced emissions for more than
60,000 engines.
EPA has implemented standards to make diesel engines more than 90 percent
cleaner, but many older diesel school buses remain in operation and predate
these standards. Older diesel engines emit large amounts of pollutants such
as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These pollutants are linked to
health problems, including aggravated asthma, lung damage, and other
serious health problems.
Applicants were randomly selected and placed in order on a list until a
total of $3 million was allocated. This was EPA's second round of the
rebate program aimed at replacing older diesel school buses. Public and
private school bus fleets were eligible to apply for rebates for the
replacement of school buses with engine model years of 2006 or older.
In conjunction with "Love the Bus" month, which is dedicated to showing
appreciation for school buses and their drivers, EPA's Office of
Transportation and Air Quality Director Christopher Grundler joined the
American School Bus Council (ASBC) at Tuckahoe Elementary School District
in Arlington, Va., today to discuss the environmental benefits provided by
new, clean diesel school buses. Tuckahoe Elementary School is part of
Arlington Public Schools, a recipient of a 2014 School Bus Replacement
Funding Opportunity Rebate. The ASBC estimates that each school bus takes
approximately 36 cars off the road each day, which reduces emissions and
saves fuel costs for passenger cars.
The 2014 School Bus Replacement Rebate Program Recipients are:
· Winston County Schools, Ala.
· Cullman County Board of Education, Ala.
· Brookland School District, Ark.
· Town Ride, Inc., Calif.
· Culver City Unified School District, Calif.
· Enterprise Elementary School District, Calif.
· Clovis Unified School District, Calif.
· Southern Humboldt Unified School District, Calif.
· Montville Public Schools, Conn.
· Martel Transportation, Conn.
· Killingly Public Schools, Conn
· Odebolt Arthur Community School, Iowa
· Waverly-Shell Roc Community Schools, Iowa
· North Linn Community School District, Iowa
· Starmont Community School District, Iowa
· Cherokee Community School District, Iowa
· West Delaware County Community School District, Iowa
· Columbus Community School District, Iowa
· Marengo / Union CSD 165, Ill.
· Fairfield Community Schools, Ind.
· Hamilton Heights School Corporation, Ind.
· Neodesha Schools USD 461, Kan.
· Unified School District 261 Haysville, Kan.
· Uniontown USD 235, Kan.
· Unified School District 112, Kan.
· USD 337, Royal Valley Schools, Kan.
· Haven Unified School District 312, Kan.
· Fleming Board of Education, Ky.
· Bell County Board of Education, Ky.
· Ouachita Parish School Board, La.
· Lincoln Parish School Board, La.
· Reed City Area Public Schools, Mich.
· Cozad Transportation LLC, Mo.
· Van Buren R-I School District, Mo.
· Liberty Public Schools #53, Mo.
· Orchard Farm R-V School District, Mo.
· Windsor C-1 School District, Mo.
· North St. Francois County R-I School District, Mo.
· Clever R-V School District, Mo.
· Sullivan School District, Mo.
· Winston R-VI School District, Mo.
· Salisbury R-IV School District, Mo.
· Richton School District, Miss.
· Unified District #1, Neb
· Chase County Schools, Neb.
· Mead Public Schools (Saunders County District 78-0072), Neb.
· High Plains Community Schools, Neb.
· Wahoo Public Schools, Neb.
· GRS Cooperative School District, N.H.
· Secaucus Board of Education, N.J.
· Washoe County School District, Nev.
· Northern Adirondack CSD, N.Y.
· Rolling V Bus Corp, N.Y.
· East Muskingum Schools, Ohio
· Tuslaw Local School District, Ohio
· Fremont City Schools, Ohio
· North Canton City School District, Ohio
· Latta Public School, Okla.
· Beggs Public Schools, Okla.
· Lone Star Public School, Okla.
· Wes Watkins Technology Center, Okla.
· Springfield School District No. 19, Ore.
· Reynolds School District #7, Ore.
· RJ Rhodes Transit, Pa.
· South Carolina Department of Education (Allendale), S.C.
· Armour School District 21-1, S.D.
· Isna Wica Owayawa / Loneman School, S.D.
· Spring Branch Independent School District, Texas
· Aldine Independent School District, Texas
· Canyons School District, Utah
· Arlington Public Schools, Va.
· Barre Town School District, Vt.
· Puyallup School District No. 3, Wash.
· Ithaca School District, Wis.
· School District of Shell Lake, Wis.
· Transportation Services of Watertown, Inc., Wis.
For more information about this rebate program, visit:
http://epa.gov/cleandiesel/dera-rebate-schoolbus.htm#2014
First Clothes Dryers to Earn EPA's Energy Star Label Now Available
Nationwide
Energy Star dryers offer Americans savings of up to $1.5 billion annually
WASHINGTON –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today
that Energy Star certified clothes dryers are now available nationwide
through major retailers. At least 45 models of dryers earning the Energy
Star label, including Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, LG, and Safemate, are at
least 20 percent more efficient and now available at prices comparable to
standard dryers.
"Dryers are one of the most common household appliances and the biggest
energy users," said U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "EPA's Energy
Star certified clothes dryers offer Americans an opportunity to save energy
and do their part to combat climate change. By working with industry, we
are bringing innovative technology to market that's good for the planet."
Clothes dryers consume more energy than any other appliance in the home,
and 80 percent of American homes have dryers. But unlike clothes washers,
which have seen a 70 percent drop in energy use since 1990, the energy
efficiency of most dryers has not improved. If all residential clothes
dryers sold in the U.S. were Energy Star certified, Americans could save
$1.5 billion each year in utility costs and prevent greenhouse gas
emissions equal to the electricity use from more than 1.3 million homes.
The efficiency specifications were developed with extensive input from
manufacturers, retailers, the U.S. Department of Energy, and environmental
groups. Manufacturers meet the specification requirements by incorporating
advanced sensors that more effectively detect when clothes are dry and stop
the dryer.
Energy Star certified dryers include gas, electric and compact models. The
Energy Star label can also be found on dryers that feature new advanced
heat pump technology and are 40 percent more efficient than conventional
models. Heat pump dryers recapture the hot air used by the dryer and pump
it back into the drum. By re-using most of the heat, a heat pump dryer is
more efficient and avoids the need for ducts.
To earn the Energy Star label, products must be certified by an
EPA-recognized third party, based on testing in an EPA-recognized
laboratory. In addition, manufacturers must participate in verification
testing programs operated by recognized certification bodies.
Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20
years, people across America have looked to EPA's Energy Star program for
guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment.
Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is
independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions
that contribute to climate change. Today, Energy Star is the most widely
recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and
businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse
gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who
are already making a difference at energystar.gov.
Learn more:
http://www.energystar.gov/products/certified-products/detail/clothes_dryers
MEMA LAUNCHES NEW DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CAMPAIGN FOR KIDS
PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, with the assistance of
First Lady Deborah Bryant, unveiled a new statewide disaster preparedness
campaign for kids at Louisville Elementary School today.
The campaign is built around Delta the Disaster Dog, Pearl the Preparedness
Pup and Jake the Mitigation Wizard. Delta and Pearl embark on a journey
across Mississippi to learn about all the hazards we face and how to
prepare for them. At the end of each trip Jake offers advice on mitigation,
which is techniques to reduce the impact of a particular disaster, on
people and property.
"I can't think of a better way to continue building what I call a "new
culture of preparedness" here in the state with the ultimate goal of saving
lives," said MEMA Director Robert Latham. "It is essential that we start
early to get kids interested and trained in disaster preparedness in much
the same way the fire departments have promoted fire prevention. If we are
successful in this campaign it will become common-nature for generations to
come. These lovable characters will also be able to teach kids a little
Mississippi geography as well."
The "experts" along the journey through Mississippi are:
* Shaky the Earthworm teaches about earthquakes.
* Rainey the Raccoon teaches about flooding.
* Twisty the Turtle teaches about tornadoes.
* Gusty the Seagull teaches about hurricanes.
* Icy the Owl teaches about winter weather.
Kids will also learn how to build an emergency supply kit and be awarded an
official "Disaster Prepared Certificate."
First Lady Deborah Bryant read the book to a group of more than 150
students at Louisville Elementary School in Winston County this morning.
Louisville and Winston County were struck by a devastating EF-4 tornado
where 10 people were killed on April 28, 2014. There were a total of 23
tornadoes around the state that day and 14 deaths.
The launch of this campaign is in conjunction with Tornado Preparedness
Week which was proclaimed by Gov. Phil Bryant as Feb. 9-13.
Character design and illustrations for the book were done by Pulitzer Prize
nominee cartoonist and author Marshall Ramsey. Funding for the campaign is
made possible through a Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard
Mitigation Grant. For more information on the campaign, go to MEMA's
website at www.msema.org<http://www.msema.org>, or download the MEMA mobile
app on your iOS or Android device. The best way to get up-to-date
information is to "Like" MEMA on Facebook, or "Follow" us on Twitter @msema
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