State
Harrison Co. Utility Authority hosts hearing for current, future customers
WLOX
The Harrison County Utility Authority held a public hearing in Gulfport on
Thursday. It was an opportunity for residents to discuss proposed water and
sewer rates for current and future customers who live outside the
incorporated areas of Harrison County.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29010482/harrison-co-utility-authority-hosts-hearing-for-current-future-customers
Sewage spill closes stretch of beach in Biloxi
BY JAMES SKRMETTA
Sun Herald
HARRISON COUNTY -- A stretch of beach in Biloxi was upgraded from a
cautionary advisory to closed Thursday by the Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/05/07/6215278/force-main-break-closes-stretch.html
Beach goers find alternatives to getting in the water
WLOX
High bacteria levels and a sewage spill are responsible for closing off
large chunks of the beach in South Mississippi. Water contact advisories
have been issued for numerous testing spots.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29011085/beach-goers-find-alternatives-to-getting-in-the-water
Visitors concerned over Biloxi sewage leak
WLOX
The City of Biloxi confirmed about 25,000 gallons of sewage spilled
Thursday morning, forcing the Mississippi Department of Environmental
Quality to close a busy section of the beach. The area affected stretches
from Travia Avenue to Iberville Drive.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29005460/visitors-concerned-over-biloxi-sewage-leak
Recycling Program Worth Effort
Natchez Democrat
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2015/05/08/recycling-program-worth-effort/
Regional
Stennis scientists in Mississippi develop app to track seaweed
MBJ
Last year beaches along the Gulf and other temperate waters worldwide were
inundated with Sargassum, the free-floating tangle of reddish-brown seaweed
that causes problems for fishermen, boaters, tourists and residents. In
some places, drifts of the smelly seaweed were piled several feet high.
http://msbusiness.com/2015/05/stennis-scientists-in-mississippi-develop-app-to-track-seaweed/
National
Recycled Drinking Water: Getting Past the Yuck Factor
NY Times
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Water spilled out of a spigot,
sparklingly clear, into a plastic cup. Just 45 minutes
earlier, it was effluent, piped over from Orange County's
wastewater treatment plant next door. At a specialized
plant, it then went through several stages of purification
that left it cleaner than anything that flows out of a
home faucet or comes in a brand-name bottle.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/12/science/recycled-drinking-water-getting-past-the-yuck-factor.html?ref=science&_r=0
Inspector general finds no improper political influence in Ohio EPA
Columbus Dispatch
George Elmaraghy was touted as a hero by some for opposing coal-mining
permits before he was forced to retire as the chief water-quality officer
at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/05/07/inspector-general-report-epa.html
State regulators considering big limits on hunting after winter proves
tough on deer
AP
AUGUSTA, Maine – Wildlife regulators in states where deer hunting is a way
of life and an important tourism draw are implementing or considering deep
cuts to hunting permits after a tough winter killed off many of the
animals.
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2015/05/08/state-regulators-considering-big-limits-on-hunting-after-winter-proves-tough-on/?intcmp=latestnews
Press Releases
EPA Announces Availability of Clean Diesel Grants for Communities Across
the Country
Local governments, tribal agencies and nonprofits can win grants up to
$2.14 million
CONTACT: Jason McDonald, 404-562-9203, mcdonald.jason@epa.gov
ATLANTA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the
availability of $13.5 million in grant funding to help governments and
nonprofit organizations switch to cleaner diesel engines. Local
governments, tribal agencies and nonprofits can win grants up to $2.14
million each.
Eligible applicants include regional, state, local or tribal agencies, and
port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality.
Nonprofit organizations may apply if they provide pollution reduction or
educational services to diesel fleet owners or if their principal purpose
is promoting clean transportation or air quality.
Priority is given to fleets operating at goods-movements facilities in
areas designated as having poor air quality, projects that engage and
benefit local communities, and applicants that demonstrate an ability
continue their emission-reduction efforts after the project has ended.
"Governments and nonprofits who install clean diesel technology are doing
more than just saving money --- they're creating cleaner, healthier air for
their employees and their community's residents," said Chris Grundler,
director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. "Our goal is to
help diesel fleets across the country make this a reality, grant by grant."
Nearly all highway freight trucks, locomotives and commercial marine
vessels are powered by diesel engines. Diesel engines are extremely
efficient but emit air pollutants linked to a range of serious health
problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory
ailments, and even premature death.
Since 2008, EPA has awarded nearly 650 grants under the Diesel Emissions
Reduction Act (DERA). The projects fund clean diesel technology such as
emissions and idle control devices, aerodynamic equipment, engine and
vehicle replacements and alternative fuel options.
Between 10 and 40 assistance agreements will be awarded under this year's
competition. The available funding for individual proposals varies by
region.
To submit a DERA grant proposal, visit
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/prgnational.htm.
For more information on the National Clean Diesel campaign, visit
http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel.
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