State
Renew Our Rivers tackles debris in Clermont Harbor
Sun Herald
CLERMONT HARBOR -- A Hancock County community almost destroyed by Hurricane
Katrina is now a little cleaner, thanks to an environmental-stewardship
program.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/hancock-county/article39121812.html
Gluckstadt to incorporate
Madison County Journal
A Gluckstadt incorporation effort is once again in the works, with
community members appointing an initial mayor and board of aldermen Tuesday
night.
http://www.onlinemadison.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=30824
Mississippi ceremony will designate U.S. 78 as I-22
Commercial Appeal
One of the final steps in converting U.S. 78 into Interstate 22 through
northern Mississippi will take place Oct. 23 in New Albany, where a
ceremony will unveil the familiar interstate-style highway signs
designating the divided highway as I-22 from the Tennessee state line to
the Alabama line.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/suburbs/desoto/mississippi-ceremony-will-designate-us-78-as-i-22-2212cb8b-6f57-2a7f-e053-0100007ff4ab-332948601.html
Oil Spill
Mississippi gets millions for restoration projects
Clarion Ledger
WASHINGTON – Mississippi officials will turn to the public and other
stakeholders to help decide how to spend $582 million the state will
get to restore areas damaged by the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/10/14/mississippi-gets-millions-restoration-projects/73881796/
Regional
Mulch fire emitting potentially unsafe levels of particulate pollution
Commercial Appeal
A mulch fire in East Memphis is spewing potentially unhealthy levels of air
pollution in localized areas, the Health Department announced Wednesday
morning.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/mulch-fire-emitting-potentially-unsafe-levels-of-particulate-pollution-2213205e-399c-31be-e053-01000-332719781.html
Mulch fire causing air quality issues for Memphians
WMC
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -The National Weather service has issued an air quality
alert for Shelby County that reaches until 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/30256866/air-quality-alert-issued-for-shelby-county
Mississippi River basin gets D+ because of aging infrustructure
AP
ST. LOUIS — A report card is out on the Mississippi River basin, and the
grade is not good: a D+, with an aging transportation infrastructure
topping the list of concerns.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/10/mississippi_river_basin_gets_d.html#incart_river
National
Energy, Mining Companies Begin to Back Climate Talks
Nearly 200 countries seek December accord over carbon-dioxide emissions at
UN-sponsored negotiations in Paris
WSJ
A major international agreement to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions is
starting to draw in major energy and mining companies.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/energy-mining-companies-begin-to-back-climate-talks-1444855640
New Concern Over Quakes in Oklahoma Near a Hub of U.S. Oil
NY Times
A sharp earthquake in central Oklahoma last weekend has
raised fresh concern about the security of a vast crude
oil storage complex, close to the quake's center, that
sits at the crossroads of the nation's oil pipeline
network.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/15/us/new-concern-over-quakes-in-oklahoma-near-a-hub-of-us-oil.html?ref=earth&_r=0
State, feds won't pursue $92M more in '89 Exxon Valdez spill
AP
JUNEAU, ALASKA
The state and federal governments have decided not to pursue $92 million in
additional damages from Exxon Mobil Corp., citing the recovery of ducks and
sea otters in Alaska's Prince William Sound following a devastating oil
spill more than two decades ago.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article39261981.html
New regs for Thursday: Air pollution, pools, pesticides
The Hill
Aluminum: The Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with new
air pollution rulesfor aluminum plants.
The emissions standards cover hazardous air pollutants stemming from
aluminum plants.
The rules go into effect immediately.
Pools: The Department of Energy (DOE) is considering new efficiency rules
for pool pumps.
The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
will host a series of meetings to negotiate new rules for pool pumps. The
meetings will be hosted by the Dedicated Purpose Pool Pumps working group.
The DOE will host six public meetings between Oct. 19 and Dec. 8.
Pesticides: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allow small
amounts of the pesticide methyl bromide to be used.
The EPA is providing an exemption from the current restrictions on methyl
bromide under the Clean Air Act.
"Methyl bromide is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas which is used as a
broadspectrum pesticide," the agency wrote. "Methyl bromide was once widely
used as a fumigant to control a variety of pests such as insects, weeds,
rodents."
The exemptions go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.
http://thehill.com/regulation/256888-new-regs-for-thursday-air-pollution-pools-pesticides
Opinion
Power Play at the Supreme Court
Another illegal rule against fossil fuels may be overturned.
WSJ
The Obama Administration's crusade against carbon returned to the Supreme
Court on Wednesday, as the Justices heard an important federalism challenge
to an energy scheme that usurps state powers to promote the green agenda.
The oral arguments suggested they may be queueing up another judicial
rebuke.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/power-play-at-the-supreme-court-1444862800
Press Releases
Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence Selected as the RESTORE
Research Center of Excellence
(JACKSON, Miss.)—The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)
announced today that the Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence
(MBRACE) has been selected as the RESTORE Research Center of Excellence.
Following the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Congress passed the RESTORE Act
to direct a portion of Clean Water Act civil penalties collected from
responsible parties to the states impacted by the oil spill, and it
includes a 2.5 percent funding designation to establish Research Centers of
Excellence.
MBRACE is a consortium made up of Mississippi's four major research
institutions: the University of Southern Mississippi, Jackson State
University, the University of Mississippi, and Mississippi State
University. The University of Southern Mississippi will serve as the lead
institution with the MBRACE program administered within the University's
Center for Gulf Studies.
"The Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence will further our
understanding of the condition of our natural resources and how to better
protect them. It will also be of assistance as we implement restoration
projects across the Coast," said Gary Rikard, Executive Director of the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
The Research Centers of Excellence in each Gulf state, including
Mississippi, will focus on science, technology, and monitoring in the
following disciplines:
•Coastal and deltaic sustainability, restoration and
protection, including solutions and technology that allow
citizens to live in a safe and sustainable manner in a
coastal delta in the Gulf Coast Region;
•Coastal fisheries and wildlife ecosystem research and
monitoring;
•Offshore energy development, including research and
technology to improve the sustainable and safe
development of energy resources in the Gulf of Mexico;
•Sustainable and resilient growth, economic and
commercial development in the Gulf of Mexico; and
•Comprehensive observation, monitoring, and mapping of
the Gulf of Mexico.
The results of studies conducted by the center will be shared with other
scientists, agencies and research groups to enhance coastal resource
management and develop practical applications that can drive technology
innovation and business development.
"This is a key milestone in the process of repairing the damage done in
Mississippi by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the best way to find
new solutions for preventing future damage to our Coast," said Dr. Gordon
Cannon, USM Vice President for Research.
Dr. Monty Graham added: "The Center for Gulf Studies and MBRACE brings
together for the first time the state's highest caliber scientists to use
respective institutional capacities to address the most critical issues
facing Mississippi's Gulf Coast and its incredible natural resources." Dr.
Graham is the Chair of the Department of Marine Science and Interim
Director of the USM Gulf Coast Research Lab.
Comprehensive information on all aspects of Mississippi's oil spill
restoration efforts can be found at www.restore.ms.
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