State
Scientists track simulated industrial spill in Grand Bay NERR
WLOX
It's a disaster response drill that involves industry and the environment.
A team of scientists in Jackson County is using bright green dye to
simulate a chemical spill in a popular lake.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29446067/scientists-track-simulated-industrial-spill-in-grand-bay-nerr
All shook up, but not in Golden Triangle
Commercial Dispatch
June 30, 2015 10:26:45 AM
The Golden Triangle has never sustained an earthquake.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality reported the closest
one on record occurred in 2002, in Noxubee County, and it was not strong
enough to be felt by residents or cause any damage.
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=42882
Ole Miss earthquake expert explains Madison tremors
MBJ
Although Mississippi residents are unaccustomed to earthquakes, such as the
3.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Madison County the morning of June 29,
the state is no stranger to earthquakes, said Charles Swann, associate
director for state programs at the Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute.
http://msbusiness.com/2015/06/ole-miss-earthquake-expert-explains-madison-tremors/
City looking to acquire Kuhn hospital
Vicksburg Post
City officials are looking for a way to buy the old Kuhn Hospital building
at 1422 Martin Luther King Boulevard to demolish it and turn the property
over to a developer to turn the site into a residential area.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2015/06/30/city-looking-to-acquire-kuhn-hospital/
Oil Spill
Former BP Engineer Should Get New Trial, Appeals Court Rules
Charges stem from investigation of 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster
AP
NEW ORLEANS—A former BP engineer is entitled to a new trial on an
obstruction of justice charge stemming from an investigation of the 2010
Gulf of Mexico oil spill, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower-court ruling that
granted Kurt Mix a new trial because of jury misconduct in his 2013 trial.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10275673379634644280204581080293443400376
National
27 states challenge Obama water rule in court
The Hill
Nine states sued the Obama administration Tuesday over its rule asserting
power over small waterways like streams and wetlands, bringing the total
number of states challenging the regulation to 27.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/246539-27-states-challenge-obama-water-rule-in-court
Supreme Court smacks EPA for ignoring costs, but mercury rule likely to
persevere
Washington Post
With its last decision of the OT2014 term, in Michigan v. EPA, the Supreme
Court held, by a vote of 5-4, that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
unreasonably failed to consider costs when deciding to regulate mercury
emissions from power plants.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/06/30/supreme-court-smacks-epa-for-ignoring-costs-but-mercury-rule-likely-to-persevere/
For U.S. power firms, EPA ruling barely a bump on road to natgas
Reuters
For big U.S. power companies like FirstEnergy Corp, the Supreme Court's
decision knocking back landmark rules reducing air pollutants from
coal-fired plants has arrived too late for them to turn away from a natural
gas-fueled future.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/29/us-usa-court-pollution-utilities-idUSKCN0P92UD20150629
EPA: Supreme Court ruling won't stop climate rules
The Hill
The Supreme Court's decision against a key Obama administration air
pollution rule is not stopping regulators from moving forward on the
government's most ambitious climate change rule.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/246562-epa-supreme-court-ruling-wont-stop-climate-rules
New regs for Wednesday: Air pollution, gay marriage, liquid tobacco
The Hill
Air pollution: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to
blame airplanes for air pollution.
The EPA would "determine that greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere endanger the public health and welfare of current and future
generations." The agency would find that carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride are
the biggest causes of air pollution.
The EPA would then determine that certain airplane engines are contributing
to climate change, and push for an international aircraft emissions
standard.
The public has 60 days to comment.
http://thehill.com/regulation/246525-new-regs-for-wednesday-air-pollution-gay-marriage-liquid-tobacco
Opinion
SCOTUS says EPA must now consider costs. Are benefits next?
The Hill
The Supreme Court ruled on Monday in Michigan v. EPA that statutory
language directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider
"appropriate and necessary" factors when regulating power plant mercury
emissions included costs to the power plants. The short-term effect of the
ruling may be minimal, as power plants have been complying with the
regulation since it went into effect earlier this year and are unlikely to
simply stop doing so.
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/246577-scotus-says-epa-must-now-consider-costs-are-benefits
Press Releases
MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NAMES NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Jackson, Miss. (June 30, 2015) – Mississippi Development Authority is
pleased to announce Mike McGrevey has joined the agency as deputy director,
effective July 6. McGrevey comes to MDA from the city of Meridian, Miss.,
where he served as chief administrative officer responsible for managing
the day-to-day operations of the city, including economic development and
working to improve the city's infrastructure.
"Mike has a proven track record and a remarkable professional background
that has armed him with the experience needed to successfully serve as
MDA's deputy director," said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough. "We
are honored to welcome him to the agency and know his expertise will serve
MDA and the people of Mississippi well."
In 2010, McGrevey was named president and COO of JBHM Education Group where
he worked for four years. There, he established JBHM as the standard bearer
for improving schools throughout the Southeast U.S. by building
instructional leadership to improve student success.
Before joining JBHM, McGrevey served as the vice president of finance and
administration for Mississippi State University for two years. In that
role, he oversaw the personnel management of 4,000 employees, 700
facilities, a $200 million research budget and a $675 million annual
budget. He also provided effective strategic leadership that maintained the
university's financial well-being and allowed for significant student
population growth. He served as co-chair of the University Efficiencies and
Innovation Committee, the decision-making body that implemented major
management reforms and modernization efforts that better positioned the
school for the 21stcentury.
From 2006 to 2008, McGrevey was the chief of staff and CFO for MSU,
overseeing the day-to-day operations of the university. In that role, he
successfully championed efforts to develop comprehensive veteran and
leadership programs, which are now nationally recognized. He was a member
of the team that developed the framework that built the university's
strategic plan, which resulted in MSU being ranked as a "very high"
research activity university by the Carnegie Foundation, named a "Top 20
University" for military personnel and veterans and designated by Forbes
Magazine as one of "America's Best College Buys."
McGrevey also brings to MDA economic development experience from the Kemper
County Economic Development Authority, where he was executive director from
2000-2004. He began his career in the U.S. Air Force, serving for 20 years
as a chief financial management officer.
"I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be on a winning team
whose goals are tremendously important to our state's future, and I am
ready to go to work serving the people of our state," said McGrevey. "I
know under the leadership of Gov. Bryant and MDA, we will continue to
create economic opportunities for Mississippians. I look forward to working
together with our partners at the local, regional and state levels as we
strive to build a stronger economic future for Mississippi."
McGrevey holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of
Southern Mississippi, a Master of Science in Management from Webster
University and a Ph.D. in Education from Mississippi State University.
