State
Permit for utility to build new wastewater plant approved
Clarion Ledger
Despite strong opposition from city of Jackson officials, the
Mississippi Environmental Quality Board voted unanimously to award a
permit to the West Rankin Utility Authority (WRUA) allowing it to
construct a new wastewater treatment plant.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/04/15/west-rankin-utility-authority-permit/25833839/
Rankin's plan to leave Jackson sewer compact may cost Madison countians
Rankin gains DEQ approval for own treatment plant
By MICHAEL SIMMONS
Madison County Journal
South Madison County sewer rates could rise if Rankin County ultimately
pulls out of a metro compact with Jackson and builds its own waste water
treatment plant which the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
approved on Tuesday.
http://onlinemadison.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=30084
West Rankin Utility Authority wins key battle in fight to build new
treatment plant
Mississippi Watchdog
Several cities in suburban Rankin County in the Jackson metro area won a
key battle Tuesday in their battle to split away from an aging Jackson
wastewater treatment plant and build their own.
http://watchdog.org/212142/west-rankin-utility-authority/
Hazardous Waste Day in Meridian This Saturday
WTOK
You have an opportunity to get rid of dangerous household items this
weekend.
The city of Meridian is hosting its bi-annual hazardous waste day. The city
will dispose of items that cannot just be thrown away in your regular
garbage, like old tires, antifreeze, pesticides or old batteries. It will
take place this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m..
http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Hazardous-Waste-Day-in-Meridian-This-Saturday-299903381.html
Clean Up Day coming soon to Saltillo
WTVA
SALTILLO, Miss. (WTVA) -- It's Clean Up Day in Saltillo this month.
A dumpster has been set aside to take on old appliances, furniture,
mattresses and other larger items.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Clean-Up-Day-coming-soon-to-Saltillo/SNtjHygjV0Cq-hpbjF2G2A.cspx
Proper use of polytubing can save billions of gallons of water
Hembree Brandon Delta Farm Press
Farmers who irrigate crops with polytubing can save water, energy, and
labor if they follow some simple steps to insure that they use the correct
size pipe and that it's properly configured for the field to be watered,
says Chris DeClerk.
http://deltafarmpress.com/irrigation-technology/proper-use-polytubing-can-save-billions-gallons-water
Gator hunting season: New permit process in works for Mississippi
The Associated Press
April 15, 2015 at 10:03 AM
In Mississippi, hunters received tags based on a lottery for the alligator
season.
Now, hunters will have to be on their toes if they want to be able to hit
the swamps.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks recently
announced there will be a major change in how alligator hunters will
receive tags.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/gator_hunting_season_new_permi.html#incart_river
Oil Spill
BP oil spill anniversary: More than $5 billion in payments made so far
GulfLive.com
April 15, 2015 at 4:27 PM
Money is being disbursed under a 2012 settlement as a result of BP's 2010
Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
In fact, according to a news release on Wednesday, more than $5 billion has
been paid.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/bp_oil_spill_anniversary_more.html#incart_river
National
Legal Battle Begins Over Obama Bid to Curb Greenhouse Gases
NY Times
WASHINGTON — President Obama's most far-reaching
regulation to slow climate change will have its first day
in court on Thursday, the beginning of what is expected to
be a multiyear legal battle over the policy that Mr. Obama
hopes to leave as his signature environmental achievement.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/us/legal-battle-begins-over-obama-bid-to-curb-greenhouse-gases.html?ref=earth&_r=0
Climate change plan faces high-profile legal test
AP
WASHINGTON — The centerpiece of the Obama administration's effort to tackle
climate change is facing a high-profile legal test as a federal appeals
court considers a plan that has triggered furious opposition from
Republicans, industry figures and coal-reliant states.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/climate-change-plan-faces-high-profile-legal-test/2015/04/15/d1bb7442-e38d-11e4-ae0f-f8c46aa8c3a4_story.html
Some Governors Push Back Over McConnell Letter to Defy EPA
CONCORD, N.H. — Apr 15, 2015
By RIK STEVENS Associated Press
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's call for governors to defy
proposed federal rules to limit pollution has been met with mostly silence,
but leaders in downwind New England states and drought-stricken areas in
the West are pushing back.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/governors-push-back-mcconnell-letter-defy-epa-30338707?singlePage=true
Buddy Caldwell goes to Washington to support killing EPA's emissions
reduction rule
Emily Lane
The Times-Picayune
April 15, 2015 at 5:14 PM
Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell plans to attend court hearings in
Washington, D.C., Thursday (April 15) for oral arguments on two lawsuits
challenging new Environmental Protection Agency standards.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/buddy_caldwell_epa_louisiana_e.html#incart_river
EPA: Greenhouse gas emissions rise 2 percent in 2013
The Hill
Greenhouse gas emissions in the United States increased by 2 percent
between 2012 and 2013, according to new Environmental Protection Agency
data, though emissions are still well below 2005 levels.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/238991-epa-greenhouse-gas-emissions-rise-2-percent-in-2013
House Panel Approves Bill to Tweak Coal Ash Standards
WASHINGTON — Apr 15, 2015
By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press
A House committee approved a bill Wednesday granting states authority to
regulate waste generated from coal burned for electricity, largely
bypassing a federal rule issued last year.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/house-panel-approves-bill-tweak-coal-ash-standards-30347528
Low-Lying Dams Drown Hundreds of Unsuspecting Victims
DES MOINES, Iowa — Apr 15, 2015
By SCOTT McFETRIDGE
Associated Press
For the better part of a century, submerged dams were workhorses of the
American heartland, harnessing the power of rivers to run grain mills,
generate electricity and keep lakes and ponds full of water as a hedge
against drought.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/low-lying-dams-drown-hundreds-unsuspecting-victims-30334423?singlePage=true
Experimenting at Home With Air Quality Monitors
NY Times
Two years ago, when Thomas Talhelm was a Fulbright scholar
in Beijing, he built his own air purifier after growing
concerned about the city's notorious pollution. To test
his handiwork, he spent about $260 for a portable device
that counts tiny particles in the air.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/business/experimenting-at-home-with-air-quality-monitors.html?ref=earth
