State
Miss. lifts water contact advisory in Harrison County
The Associated Press
JACKSON, MISS. — Mississippi environmental officials have lifted a water
contact advisory for coastal Harrison County.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/05/23/6242030/miss-lifts-water-contact-advisory.html
Last water advisory lifted in Gulfport
Sun Herald
HARRISON COUNTY -- The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality on
Saturday lifted the final water contact advisory across the Coast.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/05/23/6242554/around-south-mississippi.html
Mississippi lifts water contact advisory in Harrison County
Mississippi Press
May 23, 2015 at 3:56 PM
Mississippi environmental officials have lifted a water contact advisory
for coastal Harrison County.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/05/mississippi_lifts_water_contac.html#incart_river
Ellisville State School honors 'Employee of Year'
Hattiesburg American
It took a few moments for Bassfield resident Cheryl Davis to stand
to her feet after hearing her name called as Ellisville State
School's "2014 Direct Support Employee of the Year." Davis, who
joined the ESS staff nine years ago, said she was in total shock.
…The guest speaker was Terri Torrence, chief administrative officer
for the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
Torrence encouraged the employees to continue to strive to be the
best that they can be.
"Never stop learning," she said. "Learn all you can about your job
and learn others' jobs. ... Look for opportunities to do more than
what you were hired to do.
"The success of ESS and the Department of Mental Health depends
largely on your success. I commend each and every one of you for
your dedication and hard work to and for those you serve."
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/jones-county/2015/05/23/ellisville-state-school-employee-year/27867389/
Weather Service says Monroe County windstorm was tornado
BY JEFF AMY
Associated Press
JACKSON, MISS. — A little more than four years after a powerful tornado
destroyed most of Smithville, Monroe County residents are cleaning up from
another twister.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/05/25/6244498/possible-tornado-hits-amory-no.html
Kemper woes mean likely credit downgrade for Miss. Power
AP
The decision by a group of electrical cooperatives to pull out of
the planned purchase of 15 percent of a Kemper County power plant is
likely to mean a credit downgrade for Mississippi Power Co.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/money/2015/05/22/kemper-woes-mean-likely-credit-downgrade-miss-power/27821765/
Coal-Fired Power Plant Loses Steam
Mississippi utility withdraws as backer of electricity project as costs
soar
Wall Street Journal
The future of the most expensive fossil-fuel power plant built in the U.S.
is facing new pressures after a Mississippi utility backed out of its
commitment to the clean-coal project.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/coal-fired-power-plant-loses-steam-1432330865
Sampling History: A conservationist looks back at her historical roots
Mississippi Press
Joanne Anderson
May 22, 2015 at 7:18 AM
"I'm an eighth generation Mississippian. I'm also a history buff and I feel
that without understanding the history of the land, you can never
understand how to conserve and restore it."
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/05/sampling_history_a_conservatio.html
Farming couple plows into conservation, reaps joy
Commercial Appeal
The sign leading to the H&H Farms' "home office" — about 8 miles east of
Hernando just inside Tate County in North Mississippi — sums up Tim
Hudson's philosophy: "We are the stewards of God's land."
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/desoto/farming-couple-plows-into-conservation-reaps-joy_58619634
Oil Spill
Memorial Day 2015: BP now getting credit for gulf tourism boom
The Associated Press
May 25, 2015 at 9:13 AM
With the Memorial Day holiday here, fallout from the oil spill that left
Gulf Coast beaches smeared with gooey tar balls and scared away visitors in
2010 is being credited, oddly, with something no one imagined back then: An
increase in tourism in the region.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/05/memorial_day_2015_bp_now_getti.html#incart_river
Regional
Louisiana congressional delegation uneasy with EPA regulatory efforts
Baton Rouge Advocate
by gregory roberts
Washington — If not nearly as reviled as the Islamic State or al-Qaida, the
Environmental Protection Agency doesn't get a lot of love from the
Louisiana delegation to Congress.
http://theadvocate.com/home/12444333-125/louisiana-congressional-delegation-uneasy-with
Oil sheen 'dissipating' in Breton Sound, no shoreline impact, Coast Guard
says
Benjamin Alexander-Bloch
The Times-Picayune
May 23, 2015 at 11:47 AM
The oil sheen from the now-extinguished fire on an oil production platform
at Breton Sound Block 21 in Plaquemines Parish "is dissipating and moving
away from the Breton Island Wildlife Refuge," the Coast Guard reported
Saturday (May 23).
http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2015/05/oil_sheen_dissipating_in_breto.html#incart_river
Louisiana crab catch rose in 2014, preliminary state numbers show
Benjamin Alexander-Bloch
The Times-Picayune
May 22, 2015 at 4:27 PM
Louisiana blue crab landings and price rose in 2014 compared to the 2013
catch, according to preliminary state numbers. Catch rose about 8 percent
and fishers garnered about 20 percent more money for that catch.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/05/louisiana_crab_catch_rose_in_2.html#incart_river
National
EPA reg rolls backs air pollution exemptions for industry
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is telling states to crack down
on air pollution from plants during startup, shutdown and malfunction
periods.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/242961-epa-closes-loophole-in-industrial-air-pollution-rules
Proposed EPA Carbon Rules Will Mean Higher Bills and Fewer Coal Plants, New
Report Says
Wall Street Journal
A new report released Friday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration
is reinvigorating a common debate in Washington over how to calculate
projected economic impacts of regulations.
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2015/05/22/proposed-epa-carbon-rules-will-mean-higher-bills-and-fewer-coal-plants-says-new-report/
Coal plant shutdowns predicted to double under EPA climate rule
The Hill
Shutdowns of coal-fired power plants would more than double under the Obama
administration's landmark climate rule, a federal analysis found.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/242931-study-coal-plant-shutdowns-would-more-than-double-under-epa-climate
Obama Plans New Rule to Limit Water Pollution
NY Times
The Obama administration is expected in the coming days to
announce a major clean water regulation that would restore
the federal government's authority to limit pollution in
the nation's rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/23/us/politics/obama-set-to-strengthen-federal-role-in-clean-water-regulation.html?_r=0
With new EPA water rule, Obama again takes executive action on environment
LA Times
April 1989, a Michigan developer named John Rapanos dumped fill on 54
acres of wetlands he owned to make way for a shopping center. He did not
have a permit, and when the state told him to stop, he refused. Courts
found him in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. Prosecutors wanted
to send him to prison.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-sej-water-rules-20150525-story.html#page=1
EPA poised to issue landmark water regulations
The Hill
The Obama administration is about to unveil an ambitious — and hotly
disputed — plan to strengthen its authority over minor water bodies like
wetlands, streams and ponds.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/243004-epa-poised-to-issue-landmark-water-regulations
Obama to issue flurry of energy regulations this summer
The Hill
This summer will be busy for the Obama administration's energy and
environmental regulators, with numerous high-profile rule releases planned.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/242926-obama-planning-flurry-environmental-energy-this-summer
Agencies delay rules in regulatory agenda
The Hill
It's been less than 24 hours since the White House released its semiannual
regulatory roadmap, and groups are combing through the rule-making agenda
for the federal agencies.
http://thehill.com/regulation/242937-agencies-delay-rules-in-regulatory-agenda
Feds resist push for new pipelines
The Hill
The Obama administration is resisting a congressional push to establish new
natural gas pipelines on federal lands in the eastern United States.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/242997-feds-resist-push-for-pipelines
Press Releases
Storm Damage from Possible Tornado in Monroe County
PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has received
preliminary damage assessments from severe weather that moved through the
city of Amory in Monroe County around 9:30 a.m. Monday. There are no
injuries reported.
Monroe County Emergency Management Director Robert Goza reports:
· Two homes destroyed, 11 with major damage and 52 minor.
· Minor damage to the West Amory Elementary School and Early Learning
Center.
· Two businesses with minor damage.
· Debris covering roadways and flash flooding.
· Power outages to 500 residents.
MEMA Director Robert Latham has briefed Gov. Phil Bryant of the damage.
"State and local officials are working together to respond to this
situation, and I have been in close coordination with MEMA, Mayor of Amory
Brad Blalock and Rep. Chris Brown," said Gov. Bryant. "I urge residents to
continue to monitor weather conditions and always have a preparedness plan
in place."
Director Latham will travel to Amory Tuesday morning to meet with city
officials. MEMA has an area coordinator working in Amory to assist with
state resources if necessary.
Residents that sustained damage from the storm should report it to the
Monroe County Emergency Management Agency at 662-369-3683.
The National Weather Service will make an official determination as to
whether the damage caused was by a tornado and what strength it may have
been.
For detailed preparedness information, contact your county emergency
management agency or go to MEMA's website at www.msema.org. The best way to
get up-to-date information is to "Like" MEMA on Facebook, or "Follow" us on
twitter.
###
GOV. BRYANT DECLARES HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK IN MISSISSIPPI
PEARL – Gov. Phil Bryant has declared May 25-29 as Hurricane Preparedness
Week in Mississippi to ensure residents are prepared for the upcoming
tropical weather season. This year also marks the 10 year anniversary of
Hurricane Katrina that devastated the entire Mississippi Coast on August
29, 2005.
"Ten years after Hurricane Katrina, we have vivid memories of the storm and
its aftermath. As our state has seen too many times, hurricanes can cause
unparalleled destruction," Gov. Bryant said. "As a result, we are more
prepared than ever for the threat of tropical weather."
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will provide valuable
preparedness information throughout the week for citizens and businesses on
its website and social media platforms of Facebook and Twitter. Personal
and community planning are the foundation for preparedness.
"I tell our citizens, for every disaster we face, that positive outcomes
are produced by what people do to prepare themselves, their families and
their neighborhoods," said MEMA Executive Director Robert Latham. "When it
comes to hurricanes and tropical systems, there is no reason we should have
loss of life because there is plenty of time to prepare and put together
your personal plans."
The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially starts June 1 and runs through
November 30, although there has already been one named storm, Tropical
Storm Ana during early May.
One of the first steps you should take is to create or restock an emergency
supply kit before tropical weather threatens:
· Flashlight and battery-powered radio with extra batteries.
· Non-perishable food for at least three days.
· One gallon of water, per person, per day for at least three days.
· Toiletry items.
· Pet food and pet supplies.
· Medicine and prescription medication.
· Copies of important family papers and documents.
· Cash and travelers checks, enough to fill up your vehicle with fuel.
For more information about how to prepare for hurricane season, go to
MEMA's website at 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.
###
EPA Advises Facility Operators to Minimize Releases during Hazardous
Weather Events
Contact: Dawn Harris Young, (404) 562-8421 (Direct), (404) 562-8400 (Main),
harris-young.dawn@epa.gov
ATLANTA – As hurricane season approaches, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is issuing a Hazardous Weather Release Prevention and
Reporting alert to remind facility operators of certain regulations that
require minimization of chemical releases during process shutdown
operations. This alert is designed to increase awareness among facility
operators about their obligation to operate facilities safely and report
chemical releases in a timely manner.
The alert specifies operational release minimization requirements and
clarifies reporting requirements, including exemptions. Unlike some
natural disasters, the onset of a hurricane is predictable and allows for
early preparations to lessen its effect on a facility. Before hurricane
force winds and associated storm surge flooding damage industrial
processes, the alert recommends that operators take preventive action by
safely shutting down processes, or otherwise operate safely under emergency
procedures.
The alert and requirements are available at
http://www.epa.gov/region4/r4_hurricanereleases.html.
In the event of a hazardous weather incident, please visit
http://www.epa.gov/naturalevents/ for updated emergency information.
