Permit flub may delay Ocean Springs Harbor improvement project
Mississippi Press
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- A permit problem may ultimately delay the
Ocean Springs Harbor improvement project by up to 4-6 weeks, city officials
said Tuesday.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/10/permit_snafu_may_delay_ocean_s.html#incart_river
Water Quality Testing at USM Gulf Park
WXXV
Students at the USM Gulf Park campus hope to improve the water quality of
the Gulf Coast by conducting several tests on their campus.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Water-Quality-Testing-at-USM-Gulf-Park/bJab9S4CAUmF8oXRpW8HTQ.cspx
Citizens Ask Questions about Kemper Plant at Forum
WTOK
Meridian, Mississippi The Kemper County coal plant was the hot topic at a
forum(Embedded image moved to file: pic16118.jpg) in Meridian Tuesday
night.
http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Citizens-Ask-Questions-about-Kemper-Plant-at-Forum-334910091.html
City to privatize water treatment plant
Vicksburg Post
Published 10:52 am Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Vicksburg's water treatment plant on Haining Road is going private — a move
that will result in the possible layoff of the eight city employees working
there.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2015/10/20/city-to-privatize-water-treatment-plant/
Entire state of Mississippi put under burn ban
AP
JACKSON, MISS.
The entire state of Mississippi has been put under a burn ban because of
dry conditions.
Gov. Phil Bryant issued the ban Tuesday at the request of the Mississippi
Forestry Commission. It will last indefinitely.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/state/mississippi/article40525998.html
Oil Spill
Public urged to voice opinions on oil spill money at Tuesday's meeting
WLOX
LONG BEACH, MS (WLOX) -Residents and business owners on the Mississippi
Gulf Coast are invited and urged to attend a public forum on Tuesday to
review and comment on two documents that are crucial to restoration plans
from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
http://www.wlox.com/story/30308745/public-urged-to-voice-opinions-on-oil-spill-money-at-tuesdays-meeting
MDEQ Hosts Public Comment Forum
WXXV
Tonight the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality hosted an open
forum at the USM Gulf Park campus.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/MDEQ-Hosts-Public-Comment-Forum/k4cPsCdcJki36N7hsYJ33Q.cspx
Biloxi Coliseum windfalls make land purchase possible
Sun Herald
BILOXI -- A settlement from BP and a refund from Mississippi Power came at
just the right time for the Coast Coliseum Commission to buy 8 acres of
land, possibly for a hotel or other development.
http://www.sunherald.com/latest-news/article40555158.html
Firm ranks Escambia projects for RESTORE
Pensacola News Journal
Waterway restoration topped the preliminary list submitted by a
consulting firm for RESTORE Act projects for Escambia County. Now,
the RESTORE Advisory Committee will provide its input.
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/2015/10/20/escambia-county-restore-santa-rosa-county/74277892/
Lawmakers Sort Out Details of BP Settlement Money
WCTV
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- With billions of dollars coming to Florida in
reparation for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a Senate panel Tuesday
tried to get a better feel for how the money will be spent.
http://www.wctv.tv/news/APNews/headlines/Judge-BP-Payouts-to-Local-Entities-to-Start-Soon-for-Spill-318673141.html
National
Group asks EPA to step up oversight of state DNR
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Madison — A group of Wisconsin residents and an environmental legal
advocacy organization on Tuesday asked the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency to strip the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources of its
administration of a major water pollution program if the state doesn't make
progress on past problems cited by the EPA.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/group-asks-epa-to-step-up-oversight-of-state-dnr-b99600088z1-334650651.html
Opinion
SUN HERALD | Editorial: Jackson County Supervisor Barry Cumbest shouldn't
vote for Lake George
Jackson County Board of Supervisors President Barry Cumbest and his family
own 240 acres that could become part of the Lake George twin lakes.
http://www.sunherald.com/opinion/editorials/article40542729.html
Press Releases
Mississippi under Statewide Burn Ban
JACKSON—At the request and advice of the Mississippi Forestry Commission,
Gov. Phil Bryant has signed a proclamation initiating a statewide burn ban.
The ban is effective immediately and remains in force until lifted.
The Mississippi Forestry Commission will continue to monitor conditions,
and public updates on the burn ban will be issued as needed. The public is
asked to refrain from outdoor burning until further notice.
Much of the state is experiencing significant drought conditions, and more
than half of Mississippi counties have already issued bans in response to
increasingly hazardous conditions.
The Mississippi Forestry Commission estimates that it has responded to more
than 430 wildfires since Oct. 1. Those fires have consumed more than 7,000
acres and threatened hundreds of homes and buildings, destroying 23.
To report a wildfire, dial 911 or contact the Mississippi Forestry
Commission Central Dispatch region in your area:
· Northwest Dispatch: 1-877-226-5414
· Northeast Dispatch: 1-800-681-8760
· Southwest Dispatch: 1-888-823-3473
· South Central Dispatch: 1-800-736-9115
· Southeast Dispatch: 1-800-240-5161
For a list of counties included in each dispatch district and for a
printable map of Mississippi Forestry Commission Central Dispatch Regions,
visit http://www.mfc.ms.gov/wildfire-report.php
To learn more about wildfire prevention, visit http://www.mfc.ms.gov/.
###
ATTORNEY GENERAL JIM HOOD ADVISES CONSUMERS TO KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE
INVESTING IN SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
October 20, 2015
Attorney General Jim Hood is offering Mississippi residents factors to
consider in purchasing residential solar energy systems, including
cautioning consumers to be alert for potential consumer fraud schemes.
In an effort to use alternative energy sources for cost-savings and
environmental reasons, many consumers are reducing their energy usage and
using more renewable energy by installing solar generating units on their
homes and property. Photovoltaic systems ("PV system" or "solar system")
supply energy through nature; therefore, the energy is free and abundant.
Like many other industries, the growing popularity of solar has caused some
unethical businesses to enter into the market. To lure customers into a
lease, some of these unscrupulous solar companies often claim that
consumers can potentially reduce costly electric bills by utilizing various
federal, state and local tax credits and rebates. This can be deceptive,
however, since the solar company is usually the entity which receives the
tax benefits and incentives. In addition, for cash purchases, the price of
PV systems can range anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000 or more.
"Before consumers make a significant investment in a solar system, they
should research their options to make sure they are in fact getting cost
savings and meeting their goals of environmental sustainability. While
there are some exemplary companies, other solar companies are using
misleading sale pitches to entice consumers into paying for overpriced PV
system agreements or failing to disclose how various subsidies, government
programs and rate making practices may affect the future cost of energy for
the consumer," said Attorney General Hood. "These companies' deceptive
practices often result in a higher energy price tag for consumers after
installing the system than they had before."
Attorney General Hood encourages all solar companies operating within
Mississippi to review the Solar Energy Industries Association's Solar
Business Code. This code lays out best practices and ethical standards for
solar companies. The Code can be found at:
www.seia.org/policy/consumer-protection/seia-solar-business-code.
There are many factors to consider before making a decision to go solar.
Attorney General Hood offers some basic tips to help keep you from becoming
a victim of consumer fraud if you plan to purchase a PV system:
· As with every product or service, comparison shop with several solar
companies to make sure you are getting the best deal. Obtaining a written
estimate from at least two companies will allow you to compare the cost and
installation of the same size system between two companies. Be sure to
request that major components are itemized.
· Inquire about tax credits. Consult with a tax expert to verify your
tax credit eligibility and calculate the correct figures before you enter
into a purchase agreement with the solar company. Beware of guarantees
that 50% or more of the cost of the solar system is covered by tax credits.
In order to receive tax credits, you must have taxable income. Often,
retirees or young families do not have enough taxable income to fully
realize the tax benefits.
· Be more skeptical of installers that promise no out-of-pocket costs
prior to even reviewing your specific situation.
· Beware of promises that your utility company will be issuing you a
check every month for the electricity that you provide to the local utility
grid. Ask what will happen if the solar company promises a certain
percentage of savings from your utility bill and the amount of savings is
not achieved.
· Be aware of the terms of solar panel leasing. Solar panel leasing is
advertised as a way to obtain a solar system without having to put any
money down; yet, the consumer should be aware that he or she is still
responsible for the lease costs.
· Consider reviewing the Solar Energy Industry Association's Consumer
Guide to going solar:
http://www.seia.org/research-resources/residential-consumer-guide-solar-power
. You may also wish to visit the solar industry's consumer protection
resource center: https://www.seia.org/policy/consumer-protection
If you believe you have been a victim of consumer fraud in the sale or
lease of a solar system, contact the Consumer Protection Division of the
Attorney General's Office at 1-800-281-4418. Click here to file a consumer
complaint form.
