State
TOXIC TROUBLE Does contamination remain in the soil and water
WLBT
Few people realize that 6 acres in Flowood remain on the EPA's Superfund
list. Why? Chemical waste left behind in the soil and water that the EPA
concluded may be linked to adverse health impacts.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/28944736/toxic-trouble-does-contamination-remain-in-the-soil-and-water
Cooper Tire completes energy efficient tire grant
WTVA
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has completed work to develop advanced tire
technology in hopes of increasing vehicle fuel efficiency.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Cooper-Tire-completes-energy-efficient-tire-grant/tNfjEcXEoEqQcMR4SKfdbA.cspx?rss=3033
Audubon Center grounds will be South Mississippi's second botanical gardens
Sun Herald
BY KAREN NELSON
MOSS POINT -- The grounds of the new Pascagoula River Audubon Center will
be the Coast's second botanical gardens, joining Crosby Arboretum, with
native trees and a nature walk where visitors can identify and learn about
native plants.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/04/30/6204193/audubon-center-grounds-will-be.html
McCullough named MDA chief
Clarion Ledger
Glenn McCullough Jr. is the new executive director of the
Mississippi Development Authority.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/business/2015/04/30/glenn-mccullogh-mississippi-development-authority/26638807/
National
McConnell has new argument for EPA climate rule
The Hill
Opponents of the Obama administration's climate rule for power plants have
unearthed what they believe to be a significant new legal argument against
the regulation.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/240615-mcconnell-has-new-argument-for-epa-climate-rule
Senators target Obama's water rule
The Hill
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill Thursday to force the
Obama administration to try again in its regulatory effort to define the
federal government's power over streams, wetlands and other waterways.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/240646-senators-target-obamas-water-rule
Oversight rips EPA on employee misconduct
The Hill
The House Oversight Committee on Thursday launched a bipartisan assault on
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employee misconduct, criticizing
delays on firing employees accused of sexual harassment and watching
pornography on the job.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/240645-oversight-rips-epa-on-employee-misconduct
Obama signs energy efficiency bill into law
The Hill
President Obama on Thursday signed into law a measure that is intended to
improve energy efficiency in buildings and stop efficiency rules for
certain water heaters.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/240691-obama-signs-energy-efficiency-bill-into-law
DOT to announce new oil train safety standards
The top transportation officials from the U.S. and Canada plan Friday to
announce stronger safety standards for rail tank cars carrying flammable
liquids.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/28946116/dot-to-announce-new-oil-train-safety-standards
Almost-extinct fish keeping water off limits amid Calif. drought, farmers
weigh challenge
Fox News
At three inches long, the delta smelt is one of the smallest fish in
California -- but ounce for ounce, no species statewide carries more
weight.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/04/30/tiny-fish-becoming-big-issue-in-calif-water-shortage/?intcmp=latestnews
Press Releases
Gov. Phil Bryant Names Glenn McCullough Jr. as MDA Executive Director
JACKSON—Gov. Phil Bryant today named Glenn McCullough Jr. as executive
director of the Mississippi Development Authority. Bryant made the
announcement at the 66th annual meeting of the Mississippi Economic
Council.
McCullough is the former chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority, former
director of the Appalachian Regional Commission and former mayor of Tupelo,
Miss. During his tenure at TVA, the utility earned national recognition for
its economic development efforts and achieved record goals for capital
investment and job growth.
"Glenn McCullough is an outstanding and accomplished leader, and I am very
pleased to appoint him to lead the Mississippi Development Authority," Gov.
Phil Bryant said. "He shares my passion for economic development, and he
has a proven record of achieving results. He can build a consensus and get
things done. We have great momentum in Mississippi, and Glenn will take
that success to the next level."
McCullough was appointed to the TVA board in 1999 by President Bill
Clinton. He was named chairman by President George W. Bush and served in
that position from July 2001 to May 2005. During that time, TVA launched
its megasite program. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Mississippi's
first original equipment manufacturer in the automobile industry, is
located on a TVA megasite.
On appointment from Gov. Kirk Fordice, McCullough served as executive
director of the Appalachian Regional Commission from 1993-1997. The ARC is
federal-state partnership that focuses on economic development in 13
states.
McCullough was elected mayor of Tupelo, Miss., in 1997 and served until his
appointment to TVA. During McCullough's service as mayor, Tupelo launched
the 50-acre Fairpark District, which includes major revitalizations,
community amenities and business locations.
"Gov. Bryant is Mississippi's chief economic developer, and his relentless
focus on job creation and business recruitment is generating tremendous
results. I am very honored by this appointment," McCullough said. "MDA
plays a pivotal role in fostering an environment where businesses can reach
their goals and expand economic opportunities, and we will ratchet up the
success the state is already experiencing. We have tremendous resources in
Mississippi—from our workforce and our training programs to our
partnerships with regional and local economic developers and our higher
education network. I look forward to showcasing these strengths to local
companies and international corporations."
"Governor Bryant has made an excellent choice to position Mississippi for
the next generation of economic development success, building on the strong
base that has already been established over the last three years," said
Blake A. Wilson, President of the Mississippi Economic Council, the State
Chamber. "Glenn McCullough is the gold standard. He has the proven career
management know-how to focus MDA's marketing programs with laser precision.
He also has the experience to deploy resources wisely to boost workforce
development, existing business and industry expansion and tourism, while
continuing to put Mississippi in the place of greatest opportunity."
McCullough holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from
Mississippi State University. He and his wife Laura have two sons and one
granddaughter and are members of Lee Acres Church of Christ.
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