State
Burn ban extended in Hinds County
Clarion Ledger
Hinds County has extended a burn ban until Sept. 17. The burn ban
includes all recreational fire and controlled burns with the
exception of commercial contractors and heavy construction
equipment, providing that said burn meets the Mississippi Department
of Environmental Quality regulations.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/hinds/2015/08/31/burn-ban-extended-hinds-county/71457230/
Regional
Public meeting Wednesday in Gulfport about 2017 oil lease sale
The Associated Press
August 31, 2015 at 10:07 AM
NEW ORLEANS — The federal government is holding public meetings this week
in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana as it works on a supplemental
environmental impact statement for an oil lease sale tentatively planned
for 2017.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/public_meetings_in_gulfport_ab.html#incart_river
National
White House reviews EPA's ozone pollution rule
The Hill
The Obama administration has started the final review process for its
regulation to reduce the allowable concentration of ozone pollution in the
air.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/252301-white-house-reviews-epas-ozone-pollution-rule
EPA climate rule could take two more months to become official
The Hill
It could take up to two months for the Obama administration to make its
climate rule for power plants official by publishing it in the Federal
Register.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/252374-epa-climate-rule-could-take-2-months-for-formal-publication
Courts rule differently on federal water rule, making status unsettled
Bruce Alpert
Times-Picayune
August 31, 2015 at 5:22 PM
WASHINGTON – Three separate federal court rulings have left unsettled the
status of the Obama administration's controversial plan to expand federal
Clean Water Act authority over streams and wetlands.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/08/courts_rule_differently_on_fed.html#incart_river
Obama Calls for U.S. to Show Leadership in Fighting Climate Change
President says sound environment and strong economic growth don't need to
be in conflict
WSJ
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—President Barack Obama called for U.S. leadership in
fighting climate change, saying Monday a sound environment and strong
economic growth don't need to be in conflict.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-calls-for-u-s-to-show-leadership-in-fighting-climate-change-1441074557
Opinion
The Saudis Gambled and Texas Won
Energy innovators across the U.S. will always beat those who bet against
capitalism.
By GLENN HEGAR
Aug. 31, 2015 7:20 p.m. ET
In November 2014, the leaders of Saudi Arabia made one of the biggest bets
in history. Their strategy was flawed, and they've already lost.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-saudis-gambled-and-texas-won-1441063219
Press Releases
EPA Proposes Rules to Improve Hazardous Waste Management and Better Protect
our Waterways
New Rules Also Reduce Regulatory Burden on Businesses
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing
two new hazardous waste rules to strengthen environmental protection while
reducing regulatory burden on businesses. One of the proposed rules will
protect waterways, including drinking and surface water, by preventing the
flushing of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and simplify the requirements
for healthcare workers. The other rule will provide greater flexibility to
industry while requiring new safeguards to protect the public from
mismanagement of hazardous waste.
"These rules provide businesses with certainty and the flexibility they
need to successfully operate in today's marketplace," said Mathy
Stanislaus, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response. "The proposals will improve the safety and health of
our communities by providing clear, flexible, and protective hazardous
waste management standards."
The proposed hazardous waste pharmaceuticals rule will make our drinking
and surface water safer and healthier by reducing the amount of
pharmaceuticals entering our waterways. EPA's proposal is projected to
prevent the flushing of more than 6,400 tons of hazardous waste
pharmaceuticals annually by banning healthcare facilities from flushing
hazardous waste pharmaceuticals down the sink and toilet.
The proposed rule will reduce the burden on healthcare workers and
pharmacists working in healthcare facilities by creating a specific set of
regulations for these facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and retail
stores with pharmacies and reverse distributors that generate hazardous
waste.
EPA's proposed generator rule will enhance the safety of facilities,
employees, and the general public by improving labeling of hazardous waste
and emergency planning and preparedness. The proposal will also reduce
burden by providing greater flexibility in how facilities and employees
manage their hazardous waste and make the regulations easier to understand.
EPA solicited public comment on improving hazardous waste management from
states, healthcare facilities, retailers, facilities generating hazardous
waste, and other key stakeholders. Both proposals directly address the
challenges raised by these stakeholders in implementing and complying with
hazardous waste regulations.
The Agency will accept public comments on the proposal for 60 days
following publication in the Federal Register.
Read Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus' blog "Making Hazardous Waste
Regulations Work for Today's Marketplace" here:
https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2015/08/making-hazardous-waste-regulations/
For additional information on these proposed rules, including how to submit
comments, visit:
http://www2.epa.gov/hwgenerators
