State
Analysis: Detailed state agency budgets available online
The Associated Press
August 30, 2015 at 5:02 PM
JACKSON, Mississippi — For political junkies who can't get enough of the
legislative budgeting process or for average folks just curious about how
much money is being requested by Mississippi government agencies, the
website http://www.lbo.ms.gov is just the ticket.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/analysis_detailed_state_agency.html#incart_river
National
Texas has mixed record on environmental cases against EPA
Austin American-Statesmen
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is accusing the Obama administration of
an illegal, green-cloaked plot to "to take over America's electrical grid"
through its newest proposals to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/texas-has-mixed-record-on-environmental-cases-agai/nnTGY/?icmp=statesman_internallink_invitationbox_apr2013_statesmanstubtomystatesmanpremium#4e5c4149.3554830.735840
Obama's Arctic Trip Comes as Climate Change Builds as 2016 Issue
WSJ
President Barack Obama's trip to Alaska's Arctic on Monday likely will
reverberate much farther south, on the 2016 presidential campaign trail,
where global warming is expected to emerge as a key issue.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-arctic-trip-comes-as-climate-change-builds-as-2016-issue-1440963782
Natural gas discovery could be largest ever
CNN
In what could be the largest natural gas discovery in history, Italian
energy company Eni says it has unearthed a "supergiant" gas field in the
Mediterranean Sea covering about 40 square miles.
http://money.cnn.com/2015/08/30/news/companies/eni-gas-field/index.html
Opinion
We must act now to secure the Gulf's future
Tallahassee Democrat
Last week, a federal-state council created by the RESTORE Act
released its Initial Funded Priorities List as part of the plan to
repair the damage done by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The
money for these initial projects will come from the 2013 settlement
with Transocean, the operator of the rig that caused the Gulf
disaster five years ago.
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/2015/08/28/must-act-now-secure-gulfs-future/71328222/
Natural gas: U.S. producing more than ever
USA Today
The U.S. is producing more natural gas than ever in 2015, despite
low prices that make it increasingly difficult for companies to
spend money on drilling. In fact, the government's Energy
Information Administration forecasts a 5.4% increase in output this
year compared to 2014.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2015/08/30/loveless-gas-production/71320550/
Press Releases
CONCORDE Grant to Study Sub-surface Oil Exposure Pathways
HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -The following is a news release from The University
of Southern Mississippi
After the Deepwater Horizon incident, the coastline oiling that occurred
raised questions about oil movement and impact. For example, before a
surface slick reached land, was there oil below the surface waters and how
might that affect coastal environments and organisms?
The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative recently awarded CONCORDE a grant to
study nearshore currents and circulation flows and their potential role in
creating sub-surface oil exposure pathways.
CONCORDE is the acronym for the CONsortium for oil spill exposure pathways
in COastal River-Dominated Ecosystems. Director Monty Graham with the
University of Southern Mississippi shared some thoughts about their
consortium's project that will examine the circulation of particle-rich
waters in river-dominated areas:
"The complex circulation that exists on surface nearshore waters may also
exist underneath the surface, providing oil exposure pathways to organisms
such as plankton and fish and crustacean larvae that live close to shore.
We will analyze the transition area where freshwater from inlets meet salt
water from further off shore."
Their study area includes the bird-foot delta, the part of Louisiana where
the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico, eastward to the
Alabama/Florida border, and southward close to the continental shelf break.
Likening the nearshore environment to a layered cake, Graham said that
waters come into the Gulf from multiple sources, creating below-surface
water masses of varying temperatures and salinities that move like rivers
traveling horizontally at different depths. CONCORDE investigators will
conduct experiments at "unprecedented scales" that will contribute to
high-resolution modeling of these fine-scale variabilities in their coastal
study area. Graham described the centimeter-scale resolution as a defining
niche or distinct aspect of their research that will account for coastal
circulation affected by river input:
"Data collected from shallow water columns are often very "noisy". But,
high biomass and plankton concentrations can be very important at these
scales. If concentrations of plankton are layered with oil-associated
particles, they could be exposure hot spots. To know where those hot spots
are, you have to get into the physics at this extraordinary detail."
The team will investigate the physical, geochemical, and biological
processes from the river to the open Gulf. Analyses of these processes will
improve knowledge about the vertical distribution of sub-surface water flow
that could transport oil and other pollutants into highly productive
coastal waters and estuaries. The group's research will have applications
beyond oil spill science, as Graham explained:
"Understanding coastal river-dominated waters and their complex
circulations will help us learn about larvae movement into and out of the
sound and passes. We'll learn about water exchange nearshore to offshore,
which will help us better understand the physical processes driving
hypoxia, nutrient dynamics, and populations of important natural
resources."
The team will have several data-collection efforts over the next three
years, including the AUV Jubilee held a few weeks ago, a two-vessel
expedition in October, and another expedition next spring.
Chemical tracers will help scientists identify waters that are coming from
the shelf, rivers, and ground water sources. There will be two modeling
components – one to help the team conduct adaptive sampling during field
campaigns and another that will create a four-dimensional synthesis model
to identify potential exposure pathways. This model will be portable to
future spill scenarios impacting similar river-dominated coastal
ecosystems.
The AUV Jubilee was a collaborative data collection event that will help
scientists understand more about variable coastal processes and help
determine the scales at which they need to sample. Autonomous Underwater
Vehicles (AUVs) collected physical data and identified patterns of sediment
and phytoplankton distribution. Other data collection methods included in
situ moorings, surface vehicles, remote sensing, and aerial surveys. Data
collected will be integrated in the National Glider Data Assembly Center.
During the fifteen-day October field campaign, the team will travel in
three main corridors – the Mississippi Sound, Mobile Bay, and east of
Mobile Bay – from nearshore to off shore, capturing different freshwater
outflow magnitudes. Graham described the Deep-focus Plankton Imager (DPI)
that they will use:
This high-resolution laser scans and builds a continuous image as it moves
through the water. We will used it from the shelf to the shore, painting a
picture of the whole water column to understand the horizontal and vertical
variability of microscopic plankton.
CONCORDE's outreach efforts emphasize building public trust in science,
something that Graham explained as being "near and dear to my heart." He
described his experiences during the oil spill in 2010:
"I've always thought that most people considered scientists as trustworthy,
like firemen and policemen. During the oil spill, there was a lot of
skepticism about what was being said. Some people began casting others as
'one of us' or 'one of them.' Some considered scientists using BP research
funds as 'one of them' and did not trust our work. I have made my career as
an unbiased scientist providing research for the good of this region. So
the relationship between the public, science, and trust became a very
interesting and personal issue for me."
The team has planned teacher professional development, interactions with
commercial fishing communities, and public seminars to help build public
trust in science.
There will be a social science component to explore the role of culture,
seeking input from local Vietnamese, Croatian, and African American
communities about their views of science. Then, the team will invite these
communities to engage in the scientific process. Graham described the
reasoning behind their outreach efforts:
"It's unraveling what people think about science and how it can be applied.
We're involving people from local communities in our missions so that the
science resonates with them. By getting instruments in their hands and
engaging them in our activities, hopefully they will find that science is
not mysterious and they can contribute to it. "
Graham anticipates that lessons learned from their outreach will help
scientists be more effective in public interactions the next time an
incident like an oil spill happens:
"We want the public to approach science with a sense of trust. This is
particularly important to communities that work on the coast and rely on
its resources – that they will consider research findings as reliable for
issues such as seafood and beach safety."
The CONCORDE team includes the University of Southern Mississippi (lead
institution), Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory, Mississippi State University,
the Naval Research Laboratory, Old Dominion University, Oregon State
University, and Rutgers University.
For more information about the CONCORDE program and people involved, click
here and visit the CONCORDE website.
Other GoMRI efforts that complement CONCORDE include the Sea Grant Oil
Spill Outreach Program working to make connections and build trust among
coastal residents and industries, as well as the CARTHE Surfzone Coastal
Oil Pathways Experiment in Florida researching complex near coastal
currents.
The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is a 10-year independent
research program established to study the effect, and the potential
associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public
health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection,
characterization and remediation technologies. An independent and academic
20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions
to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence
of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings and publications will be
made publicly available. The program was established through a $500 million
financial commitment from BP. For more information, visit
http://gulfresearchinitiative.org/.
http://www.wdam.com/story/29920857/concorde-grant-to-study-sub-surface-oil-exposure-pathways
Monday, August 31, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
News Clippings 8.28.15
State
HUD secretary lauds progress in South Mississippi since Katrina
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- Aid from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
was integral to the Coast's housing and economic recovery after Hurricane
Katrina, Gov. Phil Bryant told HUD Secretary Julian Castro during Castro's
first trip to Mississippi on Thursday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/27/6385779_hud-secretary-lauds-progress-in.html?rh=1
MDEQ: Don't swim in the water off Pass Christian East Beach
WLOX
If you are planning to hit the beach, there is a section of water in the
Mississippi Sound that you want to avoid. The Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality issued a water contact advisory Thursday for Pass
Christian East Beach, from Espy Avenue east to Hayden Avenue.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29893851/mdeq-dont-swim-in-the-water-off-pass-christian-east-beach
Highway 84 closed by tanker spill Tuesday afternoon
Lawrence County Press
Highway 84 at Silver Creek was closed after a gasoline tanker overturned
while making the turn from Highway 84 East in Silver Creek onto Highway
184.
http://www.lawrencecountypress.com/contentitem/400934/1181/highway-84-closed-by-tanker-spill-tuesday-afternoon
Oil Spill
McComb to spend BP money on streets
By Rhonda Dunaway
Enterprise-Journal
Thursday, August 27, 2015 2:00 pm
McComb officials agreed Tuesday to spend the city's $292,219 settlement
from the BP oil spill on street repairs following debate on a proposal that
would have given half of the money to repairing the Martin Luther King
Center gym.
http://www.enterprise-journal.com/news/article_08d17a56-4ce0-11e5-8fdf-8f4dfae4cdc0.html
Regional
Judge: Corps must pay full $3 billion cost of restoring MR-GO wetlands
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
August 27, 2015 at 5:59 PM
The Army Corps of Engineers must pay the full $3 billion cost of restoring
wetlands destroyed by the agency's improper construction and maintenance of
the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, a federal judge in New Orleans ruled
Thursday (Aug. 27).
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/federal_judge_to_corps_restore.html#incart_most_shared-environment
Settlement reached in lawsuit over decade-old Gulf oil leak
AP
NEW ORLEANS -- Environmental groups and a New Orleans energy company
have reached a settlement agreement in a lawsuit stemming from the
company's failed efforts to stop a decade-old, slow-motion oil spill in
the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2015/aug/27/settlement-reached-lawsuit-over-decade-old-gulf-oil-leak/322079/
State Lawmaker Faces Major Fine From EPA
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a
civil complaint Thursday morning against State Rep. Andy Holt, seeking a
fine of up to $177,500.
http://www.scrippsmedia.com/newschannel5/news/newschannel-5-investigates/State-Lawmaker-Faces-Major-Fine-From-EPA-323114001.html
National
Federal Judge Blocks New Obama Administration Water Rule
EPA says injunction only applies in 13 states that had sued to challenge
the new regulation
WSJ
A federal judge on Thursday blocked an Obama administration rule, set to go
into effect Friday, that seeks to put more small bodies of water and
wetlands under federal protection to ensure clean drinking supplies.
U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson of North Dakota issued a preliminary
injunction against implementation of the regulation, saying a group of 13
states was likely to succeed in their lawsuit challenging the Environmental
Protection Agency regulation as unlawful.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-judge-blocks-new-obama-administration-water-rule-1440715700
Things to Know: EPA Water Rules Take Effect in Some States
AP
New federal rules to protect smaller streams, tributaries and wetlands took
effect on Friday — but only in some states.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/things-epa-water-rules-effect-states-33374847?singlePage=true
States fight to stop deadline clock on EPA's mammoth Clean Power Plan
Fox News
The U.S. Court of Appeals is likely to decide soon on a bid by 15 states to
slow down the timetable of the Environmental Protection Agency's sweeping
plan to dramatically transform the U.S. electrical power system, which the
states claim is intended to squeeze them into starting to commit themselves
to vast changes before the rule that embodies the plan can be challenged in
court—or has even been published.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/27/states-fight-to-stop-deadline-clock-on-epas-mammoth-clean-power-plan/
Opinion
The EPA's Own Email Problem
Another government employee, another private account, another crashed hard
drive.
By KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL
When a government official (think Hillary Clinton) uses a private email
account for government work (think Hillary Clinton) and then doesn't turn
over records (think Hillary Clinton), the public has to wonder why. For an
example of that why, consider Thursday's federal-court subpoena of Phillip
North.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-epas-own-email-problem-1440718297
HUD secretary lauds progress in South Mississippi since Katrina
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- Aid from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
was integral to the Coast's housing and economic recovery after Hurricane
Katrina, Gov. Phil Bryant told HUD Secretary Julian Castro during Castro's
first trip to Mississippi on Thursday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/27/6385779_hud-secretary-lauds-progress-in.html?rh=1
MDEQ: Don't swim in the water off Pass Christian East Beach
WLOX
If you are planning to hit the beach, there is a section of water in the
Mississippi Sound that you want to avoid. The Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality issued a water contact advisory Thursday for Pass
Christian East Beach, from Espy Avenue east to Hayden Avenue.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29893851/mdeq-dont-swim-in-the-water-off-pass-christian-east-beach
Highway 84 closed by tanker spill Tuesday afternoon
Lawrence County Press
Highway 84 at Silver Creek was closed after a gasoline tanker overturned
while making the turn from Highway 84 East in Silver Creek onto Highway
184.
http://www.lawrencecountypress.com/contentitem/400934/1181/highway-84-closed-by-tanker-spill-tuesday-afternoon
Oil Spill
McComb to spend BP money on streets
By Rhonda Dunaway
Enterprise-Journal
Thursday, August 27, 2015 2:00 pm
McComb officials agreed Tuesday to spend the city's $292,219 settlement
from the BP oil spill on street repairs following debate on a proposal that
would have given half of the money to repairing the Martin Luther King
Center gym.
http://www.enterprise-journal.com/news/article_08d17a56-4ce0-11e5-8fdf-8f4dfae4cdc0.html
Regional
Judge: Corps must pay full $3 billion cost of restoring MR-GO wetlands
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
August 27, 2015 at 5:59 PM
The Army Corps of Engineers must pay the full $3 billion cost of restoring
wetlands destroyed by the agency's improper construction and maintenance of
the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, a federal judge in New Orleans ruled
Thursday (Aug. 27).
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/federal_judge_to_corps_restore.html#incart_most_shared-environment
Settlement reached in lawsuit over decade-old Gulf oil leak
AP
NEW ORLEANS -- Environmental groups and a New Orleans energy company
have reached a settlement agreement in a lawsuit stemming from the
company's failed efforts to stop a decade-old, slow-motion oil spill in
the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2015/aug/27/settlement-reached-lawsuit-over-decade-old-gulf-oil-leak/322079/
State Lawmaker Faces Major Fine From EPA
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a
civil complaint Thursday morning against State Rep. Andy Holt, seeking a
fine of up to $177,500.
http://www.scrippsmedia.com/newschannel5/news/newschannel-5-investigates/State-Lawmaker-Faces-Major-Fine-From-EPA-323114001.html
National
Federal Judge Blocks New Obama Administration Water Rule
EPA says injunction only applies in 13 states that had sued to challenge
the new regulation
WSJ
A federal judge on Thursday blocked an Obama administration rule, set to go
into effect Friday, that seeks to put more small bodies of water and
wetlands under federal protection to ensure clean drinking supplies.
U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson of North Dakota issued a preliminary
injunction against implementation of the regulation, saying a group of 13
states was likely to succeed in their lawsuit challenging the Environmental
Protection Agency regulation as unlawful.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-judge-blocks-new-obama-administration-water-rule-1440715700
Things to Know: EPA Water Rules Take Effect in Some States
AP
New federal rules to protect smaller streams, tributaries and wetlands took
effect on Friday — but only in some states.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/things-epa-water-rules-effect-states-33374847?singlePage=true
States fight to stop deadline clock on EPA's mammoth Clean Power Plan
Fox News
The U.S. Court of Appeals is likely to decide soon on a bid by 15 states to
slow down the timetable of the Environmental Protection Agency's sweeping
plan to dramatically transform the U.S. electrical power system, which the
states claim is intended to squeeze them into starting to commit themselves
to vast changes before the rule that embodies the plan can be challenged in
court—or has even been published.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/27/states-fight-to-stop-deadline-clock-on-epas-mammoth-clean-power-plan/
Opinion
The EPA's Own Email Problem
Another government employee, another private account, another crashed hard
drive.
By KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL
When a government official (think Hillary Clinton) uses a private email
account for government work (think Hillary Clinton) and then doesn't turn
over records (think Hillary Clinton), the public has to wonder why. For an
example of that why, consider Thursday's federal-court subpoena of Phillip
North.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-epas-own-email-problem-1440718297
Thursday, August 27, 2015
News Clippings 8.27.15
State
USM celebrates groundbreaking for $16 million Marine Education Center
Sun Herald
OCEAN SPRINGS -- State officials broke ground Wednesday morning on a $16.2
million construction project to build the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Marine Education Center.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/26/6383452/usm-celebrates-groundbreaking.html?sp=/99/184/
National
Groups push feds for new natural gas rules
The Hill
A federal rule cracking down on venting or leaks at natural gas drilling
sites would save millions of dollars in royalty revenue for the government,
two groups say in a new ad campaign out Wednesday.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/252049-groups-push-feds-for-new-natural-gas-rules
Green groups threaten to sue over fracking regulations
The Hill
Environmental groups are threatening to sue federal regulators if they
don't issue new standards for hydraulic fracturing.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/252013-green-groups-threaten-to-sue-over-fracking-regulations
EPA says it underestimated mine waste blowout risk
The Hill
Workers with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) underestimated the
risks of the mine waste spill this month in Colorado, the agency said.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/252020-epa-says-it-underestimated-mine-waste-blowout-risk
New regs for Thursday: Garbage, radioactive waste, bicycles
The Hill
Thursday's edition of the Federal Register contains new garbage disposal
rules for municipal solid waste landfills, low-level radioactive waste
disposal facilities, and bicycles in a national park.
http://thehill.com/regulation/251984-new-regs-for-thursday-garbage-radioactive-waste-bicycles
Press Releases
EIA expects near-term decline in natural gas production in major shale
regions
Natural gas production across all major shale regions in EIA's Drilling
Productivity Report (DPR) is projected to decrease for the first time in
September. Production from these seven shale regions reached a high in May
at 45.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) and is expected to decline to
44.9 Bcf/d in September. In each region, production from new wells is not
large enough to offset production declines from existing, legacy wells.
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=22672&src=email
USM celebrates groundbreaking for $16 million Marine Education Center
Sun Herald
OCEAN SPRINGS -- State officials broke ground Wednesday morning on a $16.2
million construction project to build the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Marine Education Center.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/26/6383452/usm-celebrates-groundbreaking.html?sp=/99/184/
National
Groups push feds for new natural gas rules
The Hill
A federal rule cracking down on venting or leaks at natural gas drilling
sites would save millions of dollars in royalty revenue for the government,
two groups say in a new ad campaign out Wednesday.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/252049-groups-push-feds-for-new-natural-gas-rules
Green groups threaten to sue over fracking regulations
The Hill
Environmental groups are threatening to sue federal regulators if they
don't issue new standards for hydraulic fracturing.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/252013-green-groups-threaten-to-sue-over-fracking-regulations
EPA says it underestimated mine waste blowout risk
The Hill
Workers with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) underestimated the
risks of the mine waste spill this month in Colorado, the agency said.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/252020-epa-says-it-underestimated-mine-waste-blowout-risk
New regs for Thursday: Garbage, radioactive waste, bicycles
The Hill
Thursday's edition of the Federal Register contains new garbage disposal
rules for municipal solid waste landfills, low-level radioactive waste
disposal facilities, and bicycles in a national park.
http://thehill.com/regulation/251984-new-regs-for-thursday-garbage-radioactive-waste-bicycles
Press Releases
EIA expects near-term decline in natural gas production in major shale
regions
Natural gas production across all major shale regions in EIA's Drilling
Productivity Report (DPR) is projected to decrease for the first time in
September. Production from these seven shale regions reached a high in May
at 45.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) and is expected to decline to
44.9 Bcf/d in September. In each region, production from new wells is not
large enough to offset production declines from existing, legacy wells.
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=22672&src=email
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
News Clippings 8.26.15
State
Nearly all Hancock County supervisors ousted after runoff
Sun Herald
BAY ST. LOUIS -- The Hancock County Board of Supervisors has nearly been
swept clean after Tuesday's runoff , with Darrin "Bo" Ladner defeating Tony
Wayne Ladner, one of two incumbents who survived the primaries.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/25/6382739/hancock-county-supervisors-almost.html
Oil Spill
BP oil spill money to help pay for floodgate to protect local communities
Houma Courier
Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 10:15 p.m.
Money from the 2012 Restore Act will go toward a permanent flood control
structure in Bayou Chene designed to protect St. Mary and several other
parishes, including Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption, officials
announced today.
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20150825/ARTICLES/150829776
4 Pensacola Bay projects on Fund Priorities List
Pensacola News Journal
Keith Wilkins is never one to poo-poo $8 million, but if Escambia
County's director of environment and community development has his
way, that total will soon surge over the $10 million threshold.
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/pensacola/2015/08/25/restoration-council-meetings/32323013/
Regional
Slashed environmental funding could lead to EPA takeover or sky-rocketing
permit fees
Al.com
Dennis Pillion
August 25, 2015 at 6:32 PM
The amount of money Alabama is willing to spend on environmental management
appears poised to go from slim to less than none.
The state still has to hammer out a budget for the 2016 fiscal year, but
recent proposals have included zero funding for the Alabama Department of
Environmental Management as well as provisions forcing ADEM to pay $7.7
million to the general fund out of fees the department collects for
pollution permits and waste disposal.
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/alabama_environmental_budget_c.html
National
EPA Chief Says `Tremendous' Chance Offered for Carbon Capture
Bloomberg
Gina McCarthy, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said
the need to reduce carbon emissions offers a chance to push ahead with
low-carbon technology such as carbon capture and storage.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-26/epa-chief-says-tremendous-chance-offered-for-carbon-capture
Ozone rule to unleash 'EPA Police,' group says
The Hill
A new video advertisement is warning that the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) new ozone rule could trigger ridiculous laws limiting
everyday activity.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/251923-ozone-rule-to-unleash-epa-police-group-says
New regs for Wednesday: American flag, cloud computing, hunting and fishing
The Hill
Wednesday's edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for military
purchases of American flags, cloud computing security requirements for
military contractors, and hunting and fishing regulations in national
wildlife refuges.
http://thehill.com/regulation/251873-new-regs-for-wednesday-american-flag-cloud-computing-hunting-and-fishing
Nearly all Hancock County supervisors ousted after runoff
Sun Herald
BAY ST. LOUIS -- The Hancock County Board of Supervisors has nearly been
swept clean after Tuesday's runoff , with Darrin "Bo" Ladner defeating Tony
Wayne Ladner, one of two incumbents who survived the primaries.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/25/6382739/hancock-county-supervisors-almost.html
Oil Spill
BP oil spill money to help pay for floodgate to protect local communities
Houma Courier
Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 10:15 p.m.
Money from the 2012 Restore Act will go toward a permanent flood control
structure in Bayou Chene designed to protect St. Mary and several other
parishes, including Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption, officials
announced today.
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20150825/ARTICLES/150829776
4 Pensacola Bay projects on Fund Priorities List
Pensacola News Journal
Keith Wilkins is never one to poo-poo $8 million, but if Escambia
County's director of environment and community development has his
way, that total will soon surge over the $10 million threshold.
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/pensacola/2015/08/25/restoration-council-meetings/32323013/
Regional
Slashed environmental funding could lead to EPA takeover or sky-rocketing
permit fees
Al.com
Dennis Pillion
August 25, 2015 at 6:32 PM
The amount of money Alabama is willing to spend on environmental management
appears poised to go from slim to less than none.
The state still has to hammer out a budget for the 2016 fiscal year, but
recent proposals have included zero funding for the Alabama Department of
Environmental Management as well as provisions forcing ADEM to pay $7.7
million to the general fund out of fees the department collects for
pollution permits and waste disposal.
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/alabama_environmental_budget_c.html
National
EPA Chief Says `Tremendous' Chance Offered for Carbon Capture
Bloomberg
Gina McCarthy, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said
the need to reduce carbon emissions offers a chance to push ahead with
low-carbon technology such as carbon capture and storage.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-26/epa-chief-says-tremendous-chance-offered-for-carbon-capture
Ozone rule to unleash 'EPA Police,' group says
The Hill
A new video advertisement is warning that the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) new ozone rule could trigger ridiculous laws limiting
everyday activity.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/251923-ozone-rule-to-unleash-epa-police-group-says
New regs for Wednesday: American flag, cloud computing, hunting and fishing
The Hill
Wednesday's edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for military
purchases of American flags, cloud computing security requirements for
military contractors, and hunting and fishing regulations in national
wildlife refuges.
http://thehill.com/regulation/251873-new-regs-for-wednesday-american-flag-cloud-computing-hunting-and-fishing
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
News Clippings 8.25.15
State
MISSISSIPPI POWER OPPONENT HOPES TO BLOCK RATE INCREASE
MPB
The state Supreme Court is being asked to stop an emergency rate increase
associated with the construction of Mississippi Power's Kemper County Coal
Plant.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/08/24/mississippi-power-opponent-hopes-to-block-rate-increase/
Regional
Pollution monitoring program gets boost thanks to money from a settlement
last year between ExxonMobil and Louisiana
Baton Rouge Advocate
A voluntary program that has watched for chemical pollution in the
Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to Plaquemines Parish since 1986 is
getting a technology boost, thanks to money from a settlement last year
between ExxonMobil and the state.
http://theadvocate.com/news/13203890-123/settlement-funds-to-upgrade-mississippi
Southern Co. to purchase natural gas company for nearly $8 billion
Mississippi Press
Warren Kulo
August 24, 2015 at 11:36 AM
Southern Co, the parent company of Mississippi Power, reached a deal to
purchase natural gas company AGO Resources for about $7.93 billion,
according to multiple reports.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/southern_co_to_purchase_natura.html#incart_river
National
Obama to traditional energy producers: Get with the program
The Hill
President Obama challenged energy utilities, fossil fuel producers and
their allies in Congress on Monday to get onboard with his push for clean
energy or risk backlash from American consumers and companies.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/251855-obama-to-traditional-energy-producers-get-with-the-program
EPA knew of danger at abandoned mine, documents show
The Hill
Officials at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) knew of the
potential for a poisonous water "blow-out" at an abandoned mine in Colorado
at least a year before the major spill earlier this month.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/251780-epa-knew-of-blow-out-risk-before-colo-mine-spill
Water Fight Stirs Up Old Rivalries in Colorado
Front Range, where most Coloradans live, and Western Slope, where much of
the rain and snow falls, jostle for position in new water plan
WSJ
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo.—As many as 60,000 tourists raft the Colorado River
above this scenic canyon town each summer, and local boosters want to keep
them coming—by diverting some of the river's flow to feed a new network of
white-water recreation parks.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/water-fight-stirs-up-old-rivalries-in-colorado-1440439441
MISSISSIPPI POWER OPPONENT HOPES TO BLOCK RATE INCREASE
MPB
The state Supreme Court is being asked to stop an emergency rate increase
associated with the construction of Mississippi Power's Kemper County Coal
Plant.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/08/24/mississippi-power-opponent-hopes-to-block-rate-increase/
Regional
Pollution monitoring program gets boost thanks to money from a settlement
last year between ExxonMobil and Louisiana
Baton Rouge Advocate
A voluntary program that has watched for chemical pollution in the
Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to Plaquemines Parish since 1986 is
getting a technology boost, thanks to money from a settlement last year
between ExxonMobil and the state.
http://theadvocate.com/news/13203890-123/settlement-funds-to-upgrade-mississippi
Southern Co. to purchase natural gas company for nearly $8 billion
Mississippi Press
Warren Kulo
August 24, 2015 at 11:36 AM
Southern Co, the parent company of Mississippi Power, reached a deal to
purchase natural gas company AGO Resources for about $7.93 billion,
according to multiple reports.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/southern_co_to_purchase_natura.html#incart_river
National
Obama to traditional energy producers: Get with the program
The Hill
President Obama challenged energy utilities, fossil fuel producers and
their allies in Congress on Monday to get onboard with his push for clean
energy or risk backlash from American consumers and companies.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/251855-obama-to-traditional-energy-producers-get-with-the-program
EPA knew of danger at abandoned mine, documents show
The Hill
Officials at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) knew of the
potential for a poisonous water "blow-out" at an abandoned mine in Colorado
at least a year before the major spill earlier this month.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/251780-epa-knew-of-blow-out-risk-before-colo-mine-spill
Water Fight Stirs Up Old Rivalries in Colorado
Front Range, where most Coloradans live, and Western Slope, where much of
the rain and snow falls, jostle for position in new water plan
WSJ
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo.—As many as 60,000 tourists raft the Colorado River
above this scenic canyon town each summer, and local boosters want to keep
them coming—by diverting some of the river's flow to feed a new network of
white-water recreation parks.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/water-fight-stirs-up-old-rivalries-in-colorado-1440439441
Monday, August 24, 2015
News Clippings 8.24.15
State
Recovery mixed for coastal fishermen
Clarion Ledger
For a newcomer to the Mississippi Coast, the sights and sounds
probably seem normal for life on the water.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/08/21/recovery-mixed-coastal-fishermen/32159737/
Storm debris turned into fishermen's dream
Clarion Ledger
When Hurricane Katrina's storm surge receded, her unimaginable power
was exposed. Concrete and brick buildings were leveled and coastal
bridges twisted and crushed, but for fishermen, some of that debris
became Katrina's silver lining.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/08/21/storm-debris-turned-fishermens-dream/32159779/
Oil Spill
Blessey: Mississippi's BP money should go into South Mississippi trust fund
Sun Herald
BILOXI -- Gerald Blessey said Friday the Mississippi Legislature should
follow the lead of Florida and direct the $750 million the state will
receive in economic damages from the BP settlement into a GoCoast Trust
fund to be spent only in South Mississippi.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/21/6376540_blessey-mississippis-bp-money.html?rh=1
National
Obama pushing for more clean energy choices for consumers
AP
WASHINGTON — Pushing back against fossil fuel interests, President Barack
Obama is pressing to give ordinary Americans more power to choose what kind
of power they use.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/24/6380127/obama-pushing-for-more-clean-energy.html
Countries Slow to Pledge Emissions Cuts Ahead of Paris Climate Talks
Delays raise concerns over developing economies' commitment to accord
planned for later this year
WSJ
Less than a third of governments seeking a global climate agreement have
submitted plans for reducing emissions, raising concerns over developing
countries' commitment to a deal months before talks are meant to culminate
in Paris.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/countries-slow-to-pledge-emissions-cuts-ahead-of-paris-climate-talks-1440357008
The most polluted cities in America
USA Today
More than 138 million people, nearly 44% of the U.S. population,
live in areas where air pollution reaches dangerously high levels
during parts of the year. While exposure to low quality air has
declined in recent years, some cities still experience alarming
levels of pollution.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/08/22/24-7-wall-st-most-polluted-cities/32130565/
Opinion
Political Target: Natural Gas
The methane rule is part of a regulatory wave to raise drilling costs.
WSJ
America's natural gas boom has been a rare economic bright spot, and even
PresidentObama likes to take credit for it. But as his term winds down, the
Administration is waging a war of regulatory attrition to raise drilling
costs and reduce its competitive advantage over wind and solar power.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/political-target-natural-gas-1440367941
State contracts reform shaky at start: Editorial
Clarion Ledger
After years of questionable state contracts and an embarrassing
bribery scandal involving the former head of the state Department of
Corrections, the Mississippi Legislature took steps to roll out
reforms for the board charged with monitoring agencies' contracting
procedures.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/08/22/state-contracts-reform-shaky-start-editorial/32210863/
Why Is the EPA Cleaning Up Mines?
Private mining companies have already shown they are better equipped to
deal with the mess.
WSJ
Images of the bright-yellow Animas River in Colorado, fouled by millions of
gallons of toxic wastewater accidentally released from an abandoned mine by
contractors working for the Environmental Protection Agency last week,
prompt a serious question: Why was the EPA even managing this waste in the
first place? Mining companies that have the skills and experience to clean
up such sites should be doing this work.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-is-the-epa-cleaning-up-mines-1440196476
Press Releases
MPB Documentary Chronicles Ten Years Since Hurricane Katrina
Mississippi Gulf Coast residents reflect on their ongoing journey of
recovery
JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Public Broadcasting commemorates the 10th
anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a documentary showing how far the
Mississippi Gulf Coast has come since August 2005. "Rising Above the
Surge: The Post Katrina Coast" is a story of Mississippians' perseverance
over catastrophe.
An original MPB production, the program premieres Wednesday, August 26 at 7
p.m. on MPB TV with an encore presentation on August 29 at 7 p.m.
"Rising Above the Surge" opens with a look at Hurricane Katrina's
devastation and how far the Mississippi Gulf Coast has come in its
recovery. As some rebuild bigger and better than before, residents and
communities are still dealing with recovery issues ten years after Katrina.
The show focuses on citizens telling stories of struggling with high
insurance costs, changes in building codes and other recovery issues.
The Katrina story is far from over. Unprecedented federal funding has
helped towns to remake themselves into attractive tourist destinations as
well as wonderful places to live. The documentary shows local officials
reflecting on the future of a region famous for its natural beauty, food,
wildlife and community.
Bound by their love for the uniqueness and beauty of the Mississippi Gulf
Coast, residents remains resilient in the face of a story that is still
unfolding.
###
Recovery mixed for coastal fishermen
Clarion Ledger
For a newcomer to the Mississippi Coast, the sights and sounds
probably seem normal for life on the water.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/08/21/recovery-mixed-coastal-fishermen/32159737/
Storm debris turned into fishermen's dream
Clarion Ledger
When Hurricane Katrina's storm surge receded, her unimaginable power
was exposed. Concrete and brick buildings were leveled and coastal
bridges twisted and crushed, but for fishermen, some of that debris
became Katrina's silver lining.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/08/21/storm-debris-turned-fishermens-dream/32159779/
Oil Spill
Blessey: Mississippi's BP money should go into South Mississippi trust fund
Sun Herald
BILOXI -- Gerald Blessey said Friday the Mississippi Legislature should
follow the lead of Florida and direct the $750 million the state will
receive in economic damages from the BP settlement into a GoCoast Trust
fund to be spent only in South Mississippi.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/21/6376540_blessey-mississippis-bp-money.html?rh=1
National
Obama pushing for more clean energy choices for consumers
AP
WASHINGTON — Pushing back against fossil fuel interests, President Barack
Obama is pressing to give ordinary Americans more power to choose what kind
of power they use.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/24/6380127/obama-pushing-for-more-clean-energy.html
Countries Slow to Pledge Emissions Cuts Ahead of Paris Climate Talks
Delays raise concerns over developing economies' commitment to accord
planned for later this year
WSJ
Less than a third of governments seeking a global climate agreement have
submitted plans for reducing emissions, raising concerns over developing
countries' commitment to a deal months before talks are meant to culminate
in Paris.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/countries-slow-to-pledge-emissions-cuts-ahead-of-paris-climate-talks-1440357008
The most polluted cities in America
USA Today
More than 138 million people, nearly 44% of the U.S. population,
live in areas where air pollution reaches dangerously high levels
during parts of the year. While exposure to low quality air has
declined in recent years, some cities still experience alarming
levels of pollution.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/08/22/24-7-wall-st-most-polluted-cities/32130565/
Opinion
Political Target: Natural Gas
The methane rule is part of a regulatory wave to raise drilling costs.
WSJ
America's natural gas boom has been a rare economic bright spot, and even
PresidentObama likes to take credit for it. But as his term winds down, the
Administration is waging a war of regulatory attrition to raise drilling
costs and reduce its competitive advantage over wind and solar power.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/political-target-natural-gas-1440367941
State contracts reform shaky at start: Editorial
Clarion Ledger
After years of questionable state contracts and an embarrassing
bribery scandal involving the former head of the state Department of
Corrections, the Mississippi Legislature took steps to roll out
reforms for the board charged with monitoring agencies' contracting
procedures.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/08/22/state-contracts-reform-shaky-start-editorial/32210863/
Why Is the EPA Cleaning Up Mines?
Private mining companies have already shown they are better equipped to
deal with the mess.
WSJ
Images of the bright-yellow Animas River in Colorado, fouled by millions of
gallons of toxic wastewater accidentally released from an abandoned mine by
contractors working for the Environmental Protection Agency last week,
prompt a serious question: Why was the EPA even managing this waste in the
first place? Mining companies that have the skills and experience to clean
up such sites should be doing this work.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-is-the-epa-cleaning-up-mines-1440196476
Press Releases
MPB Documentary Chronicles Ten Years Since Hurricane Katrina
Mississippi Gulf Coast residents reflect on their ongoing journey of
recovery
JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Public Broadcasting commemorates the 10th
anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a documentary showing how far the
Mississippi Gulf Coast has come since August 2005. "Rising Above the
Surge: The Post Katrina Coast" is a story of Mississippians' perseverance
over catastrophe.
An original MPB production, the program premieres Wednesday, August 26 at 7
p.m. on MPB TV with an encore presentation on August 29 at 7 p.m.
"Rising Above the Surge" opens with a look at Hurricane Katrina's
devastation and how far the Mississippi Gulf Coast has come in its
recovery. As some rebuild bigger and better than before, residents and
communities are still dealing with recovery issues ten years after Katrina.
The show focuses on citizens telling stories of struggling with high
insurance costs, changes in building codes and other recovery issues.
The Katrina story is far from over. Unprecedented federal funding has
helped towns to remake themselves into attractive tourist destinations as
well as wonderful places to live. The documentary shows local officials
reflecting on the future of a region famous for its natural beauty, food,
wildlife and community.
Bound by their love for the uniqueness and beauty of the Mississippi Gulf
Coast, residents remains resilient in the face of a story that is still
unfolding.
###
Friday, August 21, 2015
News Clippings 8.21.15
State
EXPERTS: MADISON EARTHQUAKES ARE NOT ALARMING
MPB
The number of earthquakes in Mississippi has seemingly been on the rise
over recent months, but experts say there is little reason to be concerned.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/08/20/experts-madison-earthquakes-are-not-alarming/
Mississippi wildlife commission passes deer baiting proposal
Clarion Ledger
In yesterday's Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks meeting,
members voted unanimously in favor of baiting deer.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/outdoors/2015/08/20/wildlife-commission-passes-deer-baiting-proposal/32040217/
City of Bellevue formally begins incorporation process
WDAM
LAMAR COUNTY, MS (WDAM) -The City of Bellevue Executive Committee and city
leadership formally announced incorporation plans to the Lamar County Board
of Supervisors Wednesday morning.
http://www.wdam.com/story/29843463/city-of-bellevue-formally-begins-incorporation-process
Oil Spill
Millions in BP money going to cities hundreds of miles from Gulf Coast
The Associated Press
August 21, 2015 at 6:15 AM
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — Clusters of landlocked municipalities more than
100 miles from the Gulf Coast have secured millions of dollars in BP money
through settlements designed to compensate local governments for lost
tourism dollars and other economic damage from the company's 2010 oil
spill, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/millions_in_bp_money_going_to.html#incart_river
National
The EPA Doesn't Know How to Deal With 300 Million Tons of Animal Poop
Bloomberg
Rene Miller grew up on a seven-acre slip of Duplin County, N.C., where her
mother, Daisy, raised corn, chickens, and hogs. Now, what was a neighbor's
tobacco farm across the narrow two-lane road is a field where a giant
sprinkler sprays waste from an industrial hog-raising operation onto
whatever happens to be planted there—corn, hay, soybeans. The force of the
liquefied manure is so strong it splatters the street sign Miller installed
to mark Daisy Miller Lane. "I can't go out in my yard to watch the cars go
by. I can't put my clothes out on the line," she says. "It stinks."
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-20/the-epa-doesn-t-know-how-to-deal-with-300-million-tons-of-animal-poop
EPA downplays dangers of mine spill, but concerns linger
AP
More than two weeks after a mine spill fouled waterways in several Western
states, officials expressed concern Thursday over the long-term effects of
contaminated river bottoms as the federal agency that triggered the
accident downplayed the dangers.
http://news.yahoo.com/epa-downplays-dangers-mine-spill-concerns-linger-221110660.html
In downturn, frackers turn to toilet water in drought-prone Texas
Reuters
Top shale oil producer Pioneer Natural Resources Co (PXD.N) has found an
unusual way to both save water and cut costs for its wells: tapping the
treated runoff from toilets, sinks and showers in west Texas.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/21/us-pioneer-natl-rsc-fracking-water-idUSKCN0QQ0CA20150821
EXPERTS: MADISON EARTHQUAKES ARE NOT ALARMING
MPB
The number of earthquakes in Mississippi has seemingly been on the rise
over recent months, but experts say there is little reason to be concerned.
http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2015/08/20/experts-madison-earthquakes-are-not-alarming/
Mississippi wildlife commission passes deer baiting proposal
Clarion Ledger
In yesterday's Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks meeting,
members voted unanimously in favor of baiting deer.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/outdoors/2015/08/20/wildlife-commission-passes-deer-baiting-proposal/32040217/
City of Bellevue formally begins incorporation process
WDAM
LAMAR COUNTY, MS (WDAM) -The City of Bellevue Executive Committee and city
leadership formally announced incorporation plans to the Lamar County Board
of Supervisors Wednesday morning.
http://www.wdam.com/story/29843463/city-of-bellevue-formally-begins-incorporation-process
Oil Spill
Millions in BP money going to cities hundreds of miles from Gulf Coast
The Associated Press
August 21, 2015 at 6:15 AM
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — Clusters of landlocked municipalities more than
100 miles from the Gulf Coast have secured millions of dollars in BP money
through settlements designed to compensate local governments for lost
tourism dollars and other economic damage from the company's 2010 oil
spill, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/millions_in_bp_money_going_to.html#incart_river
National
The EPA Doesn't Know How to Deal With 300 Million Tons of Animal Poop
Bloomberg
Rene Miller grew up on a seven-acre slip of Duplin County, N.C., where her
mother, Daisy, raised corn, chickens, and hogs. Now, what was a neighbor's
tobacco farm across the narrow two-lane road is a field where a giant
sprinkler sprays waste from an industrial hog-raising operation onto
whatever happens to be planted there—corn, hay, soybeans. The force of the
liquefied manure is so strong it splatters the street sign Miller installed
to mark Daisy Miller Lane. "I can't go out in my yard to watch the cars go
by. I can't put my clothes out on the line," she says. "It stinks."
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-20/the-epa-doesn-t-know-how-to-deal-with-300-million-tons-of-animal-poop
EPA downplays dangers of mine spill, but concerns linger
AP
More than two weeks after a mine spill fouled waterways in several Western
states, officials expressed concern Thursday over the long-term effects of
contaminated river bottoms as the federal agency that triggered the
accident downplayed the dangers.
http://news.yahoo.com/epa-downplays-dangers-mine-spill-concerns-linger-221110660.html
In downturn, frackers turn to toilet water in drought-prone Texas
Reuters
Top shale oil producer Pioneer Natural Resources Co (PXD.N) has found an
unusual way to both save water and cut costs for its wells: tapping the
treated runoff from toilets, sinks and showers in west Texas.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/21/us-pioneer-natl-rsc-fracking-water-idUSKCN0QQ0CA20150821
Thursday, August 20, 2015
News Clippings 8/20/15
State
Mississippi Phosphates pleads guilty to Clean Water Act violation, agrees
to give 320 acres to NERR
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
August 19, 2015 at 3:12 PM
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Mississippi Phosphates Corp., which owns the
diammonium phosphate fertilizer plant on Bayou Casotte in Pascagoula, today
pleaded guilty to a criminal violation of the Clean Water Act.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/08/mississippi_phosphates_pleads.html#incart_river
Mississippi Phosphates will donate 320 acres, pay $120 million in cleanup
costs in pollution case
BY ROBIN FITZGERALD
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- Mississippi Phosphates Corp. will donate 320 acres to the Grand
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for violating the Clean Water Act
by discharging polluted wastewater. The toxic water killed fish in Bayou
Casotte and harmed other marine life.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/19/6372528_mississippi-phosphates-set-for.html?rh=1
'Don't panic' - thick white vapor plume part of Mississippi Power's Plant
Daniel in Jackson County
BY KAREN NELSON
Sun Herald
PASCAGOULA -- Mississippi Power Co. is alerting drivers and residents in
Jackson County the huge new smoke stack at Plant Daniel has begun emitting
a thick, white vapor cloud.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/19/6372687/dont-panic-new-thick-white-plume.html
Leflore County land donation to protect wildlife and encourage hunting
WLBT
Land in the Mississippi Delta, about 293 acres of it, will now be managed
as a wildlife preserve through a generous donation to the State of
Mississippi. The land surrounds Six Mile Lake in Leflore County, north of
Greenwood.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29825950/leflore-county-land-donation-to-protect-wildlife-and-encourage-hunting
SCUA to pursue management of Big Level Water
Stone County Enterprise
By Jody O'Hara
Aug 13, 2015, 15:46
The Stone County Utility Authority is set to seek a management agreement
with the Big Level Utility Association.
http://www.stonecountyenterprise.com/article_2739.shtml
Officials: Big River Steel CEO John Correnti dies in Chicago
The Associated Press
OSCEOLA, ARK. — Steel industry leader John Correnti, who was the driving
force behind three mills in eastern Arkansas and others out of state, has
died while on a business trip in Chicago. He was 68.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/19/6372589_officials-big-river-steel-ceo.html?rh=1
Oil Spill
Louisiana identifies tentative restoration projects for BP spill money
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
August 19, 2015 at 6:20 PM
A tentative list of projects that would be funded by $7.2 billion in BP oil
spill fine and settlement money, including wetland-building sediment
diversions from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers, marsh creation
projects using sediment moved by pipeline from rivers and the Gulf of
Mexico, and the rebuilding of nine barrier islands and four coastal ridges,
was announced by Louisiana officials on Wednesday (Aug. 19).
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/identifies_tentative_restorati.html#incart_river
Regional
University of Alabama researcher Julia Cherry, scientists develop low-cost
study of rising sea levels in marshlands
Tuscaloosa News
By Ed Enoch
Published: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 11:00 p.m.
Getting reliable data on the effects of sea level rise in marshlands can be
tricky.
Field research on marshes has been predominantly done in bathtub-type
models, according to University of Alabama associate professor Julia
Cherry. Mesocosms and other traditional containers offer lots of control
for experiments with transplanted materials but are typically small and,
because they are contained, can exclude potentially important biological
factors present in the natural settings.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20150819/news/150819644
National
Methane Leaks in Natural-Gas Supply Chain Far Exceed Estimates, Study Says
NY Times
A little-noted portion of the chain of pipelines and
equipment that bringsnatural gas from the field into power
plants and homes is responsible for a surprising amount of
methane emissions, according to a study published on
Tuesday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/19/science/methane-leaks-in-natural-gas-supply-chain-far-exceed-estimates-study-says.html?ref=earth&_r=0
LA 'black ball' reservoir rollout potential 'disaster' in the making, say
experts
Fox News
LA's scheme to cover a reservoir under 96 million "shade balls" may not be
all it is touted to be, experts told FoxNews.com, with some critics going
so far as to refer to the plan as a "potential disaster."
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2015/08/20/la-black-ball-scheme-disaster-in-making-say-experts/?intcmp=hpbt4
Mississippi Phosphates pleads guilty to Clean Water Act violation, agrees
to give 320 acres to NERR
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
August 19, 2015 at 3:12 PM
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Mississippi Phosphates Corp., which owns the
diammonium phosphate fertilizer plant on Bayou Casotte in Pascagoula, today
pleaded guilty to a criminal violation of the Clean Water Act.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/08/mississippi_phosphates_pleads.html#incart_river
Mississippi Phosphates will donate 320 acres, pay $120 million in cleanup
costs in pollution case
BY ROBIN FITZGERALD
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- Mississippi Phosphates Corp. will donate 320 acres to the Grand
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for violating the Clean Water Act
by discharging polluted wastewater. The toxic water killed fish in Bayou
Casotte and harmed other marine life.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/19/6372528_mississippi-phosphates-set-for.html?rh=1
'Don't panic' - thick white vapor plume part of Mississippi Power's Plant
Daniel in Jackson County
BY KAREN NELSON
Sun Herald
PASCAGOULA -- Mississippi Power Co. is alerting drivers and residents in
Jackson County the huge new smoke stack at Plant Daniel has begun emitting
a thick, white vapor cloud.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/19/6372687/dont-panic-new-thick-white-plume.html
Leflore County land donation to protect wildlife and encourage hunting
WLBT
Land in the Mississippi Delta, about 293 acres of it, will now be managed
as a wildlife preserve through a generous donation to the State of
Mississippi. The land surrounds Six Mile Lake in Leflore County, north of
Greenwood.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29825950/leflore-county-land-donation-to-protect-wildlife-and-encourage-hunting
SCUA to pursue management of Big Level Water
Stone County Enterprise
By Jody O'Hara
Aug 13, 2015, 15:46
The Stone County Utility Authority is set to seek a management agreement
with the Big Level Utility Association.
http://www.stonecountyenterprise.com/article_2739.shtml
Officials: Big River Steel CEO John Correnti dies in Chicago
The Associated Press
OSCEOLA, ARK. — Steel industry leader John Correnti, who was the driving
force behind three mills in eastern Arkansas and others out of state, has
died while on a business trip in Chicago. He was 68.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/19/6372589_officials-big-river-steel-ceo.html?rh=1
Oil Spill
Louisiana identifies tentative restoration projects for BP spill money
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
August 19, 2015 at 6:20 PM
A tentative list of projects that would be funded by $7.2 billion in BP oil
spill fine and settlement money, including wetland-building sediment
diversions from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers, marsh creation
projects using sediment moved by pipeline from rivers and the Gulf of
Mexico, and the rebuilding of nine barrier islands and four coastal ridges,
was announced by Louisiana officials on Wednesday (Aug. 19).
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/identifies_tentative_restorati.html#incart_river
Regional
University of Alabama researcher Julia Cherry, scientists develop low-cost
study of rising sea levels in marshlands
Tuscaloosa News
By Ed Enoch
Published: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 11:00 p.m.
Getting reliable data on the effects of sea level rise in marshlands can be
tricky.
Field research on marshes has been predominantly done in bathtub-type
models, according to University of Alabama associate professor Julia
Cherry. Mesocosms and other traditional containers offer lots of control
for experiments with transplanted materials but are typically small and,
because they are contained, can exclude potentially important biological
factors present in the natural settings.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20150819/news/150819644
National
Methane Leaks in Natural-Gas Supply Chain Far Exceed Estimates, Study Says
NY Times
A little-noted portion of the chain of pipelines and
equipment that bringsnatural gas from the field into power
plants and homes is responsible for a surprising amount of
methane emissions, according to a study published on
Tuesday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/19/science/methane-leaks-in-natural-gas-supply-chain-far-exceed-estimates-study-says.html?ref=earth&_r=0
LA 'black ball' reservoir rollout potential 'disaster' in the making, say
experts
Fox News
LA's scheme to cover a reservoir under 96 million "shade balls" may not be
all it is touted to be, experts told FoxNews.com, with some critics going
so far as to refer to the plan as a "potential disaster."
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2015/08/20/la-black-ball-scheme-disaster-in-making-say-experts/?intcmp=hpbt4
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
News Clippings 8/19/15
State
City Council forges ahead with wastewater solutions
Hattiesburg American
Hattiesburg City Council voted Tuesday to continue on a dual track
to evaluate and pursue wastewater treatment solutions — but it
wasn't unanimous.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2015/08/18/council-continues-wastewater-treatment-plans/31957525/
Garbage forcing closure of recycling trailers
Vicksburg Post
At one time, Vicksburg offered six recycling trailers at locations around
the community, but because of misuse by some individuals, the only trailer
that remains is located at the west end of the Post Plaza parking lot.
… "The beautification committee has received a $50,000 grant from the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, and they have the task of
looking at how to use the money wisely," Gray-Lewis said.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2015/08/18/garbage-forcing-closure-of-recycling-trailers/
Katrina Commemoration, Summit starts Friday
SUN HERALD
"Sunshine After the Storm: Honoring Our Collective Leadership and Charting
a Just Transition to a Thriving Gulf for All" is the theme of the 10th
Anniversary Katrina Commemoration and Summit to be hosted by The Education,
Economic, Environmental, Climate and Health Organization.
…Among participating organizations are NAACP, Center for Earth Ethics,
Climate Central, Gulf South Rising, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Agency, STEPS Coalition, US Human Rights Network, Food and Water EPA Region
IV and Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/18/6371936/katrina-commemoration-summit-starts.html
Earthquake Late Warning Investigated
WLBT
MADISON COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now) -It took more than 5 hours before
a earthquake in Madison County Monday was confirmed by the U.S.G.S.,
leaving many people who felt it scratching their heads. Tuesday scientists
explained why all quakes aren't immediately recorded.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29826011/earthquake-late-warning-investigated
New mat sinking unit will improve Corps' efficiency in erosion battle
Vicksburg Post
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking a major step toward improving
its services along the Mississippi River with the proposed upgrade of its
67-year-old mat sinking unit.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2015/08/18/new-mat-sinking-unit-will-improve-corps-efficiency-in-erosion-battle/#
Jackson County receives bids for bridge project to support Audubon center
tourism
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
August 18, 2015 at 5:53 PM
MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- Jackson County supervisors this week received
bids on a bridge project that will help the new multimillion-dollar
Pascagoula River Audubon Center's tourism efforts.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/08/jackson_county_receives_bids_f.html#incart_river
Females are challenging engineer stereotypes with a hashtag
WLBT
JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -Pictures from around the country now
feature #ILookLikeAnEngineer. It originated with a California woman who was
criticized for her company's recruiting campaign.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29827634/females-are-challenging-engineer-stereotypes-with-a-hashtag
Oil Spill
GARY RIKARD: BP settlement will not change Mississippi's restoration
process
Sun Herald
When millions of gallons of oil threatened our Mississippi coastline in
2010, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality was appointed to
take the lead in recovering from the greatest man-made environmental
disaster in our nation's history.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/18/6371883/gary-rikard-bp-settlement-will.html
Scientists skeptical of uptick in endangered turtle's nests
Houston Chronicle
GALVESTON - The nesting season for the official Texas sea turtle ended last
month with an increase in the number of nests, but scientists warn that the
upticks are not enough to dispel predictions of a downward spiral for the
endangered species.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/science-environment/article/Scientists-skeptical-about-uptick-in-endangered-6449541.php
National
Republicans, states attack new EPA power plant rule
Fox News
Republican congressional leaders are charging that the Environmental
Protection Agency colluded with environmental lobbyists to develop a plan,
unveiled earlier this month, for the most sweeping -- and perhaps
unconstitutional -- changes ever undertaken in existing U.S. power
generation.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/18/republicans-states-attack-new-epa-power-plant-rule/
EPA hits oil and gas industry with new methane emissions regs
Fox News
The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled plans Tuesday to slash methane
emissions from oil and gas production almost in half, the latest in a
series of administration regulations aimed at curbing global warming.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/18/obama-administration-unveils-proposals-to-slash-methane-emissions/?intcmp=hpbt2
City Council forges ahead with wastewater solutions
Hattiesburg American
Hattiesburg City Council voted Tuesday to continue on a dual track
to evaluate and pursue wastewater treatment solutions — but it
wasn't unanimous.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2015/08/18/council-continues-wastewater-treatment-plans/31957525/
Garbage forcing closure of recycling trailers
Vicksburg Post
At one time, Vicksburg offered six recycling trailers at locations around
the community, but because of misuse by some individuals, the only trailer
that remains is located at the west end of the Post Plaza parking lot.
… "The beautification committee has received a $50,000 grant from the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, and they have the task of
looking at how to use the money wisely," Gray-Lewis said.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2015/08/18/garbage-forcing-closure-of-recycling-trailers/
Katrina Commemoration, Summit starts Friday
SUN HERALD
"Sunshine After the Storm: Honoring Our Collective Leadership and Charting
a Just Transition to a Thriving Gulf for All" is the theme of the 10th
Anniversary Katrina Commemoration and Summit to be hosted by The Education,
Economic, Environmental, Climate and Health Organization.
…Among participating organizations are NAACP, Center for Earth Ethics,
Climate Central, Gulf South Rising, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Agency, STEPS Coalition, US Human Rights Network, Food and Water EPA Region
IV and Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/18/6371936/katrina-commemoration-summit-starts.html
Earthquake Late Warning Investigated
WLBT
MADISON COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now) -It took more than 5 hours before
a earthquake in Madison County Monday was confirmed by the U.S.G.S.,
leaving many people who felt it scratching their heads. Tuesday scientists
explained why all quakes aren't immediately recorded.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29826011/earthquake-late-warning-investigated
New mat sinking unit will improve Corps' efficiency in erosion battle
Vicksburg Post
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking a major step toward improving
its services along the Mississippi River with the proposed upgrade of its
67-year-old mat sinking unit.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2015/08/18/new-mat-sinking-unit-will-improve-corps-efficiency-in-erosion-battle/#
Jackson County receives bids for bridge project to support Audubon center
tourism
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
August 18, 2015 at 5:53 PM
MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- Jackson County supervisors this week received
bids on a bridge project that will help the new multimillion-dollar
Pascagoula River Audubon Center's tourism efforts.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/08/jackson_county_receives_bids_f.html#incart_river
Females are challenging engineer stereotypes with a hashtag
WLBT
JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -Pictures from around the country now
feature #ILookLikeAnEngineer. It originated with a California woman who was
criticized for her company's recruiting campaign.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29827634/females-are-challenging-engineer-stereotypes-with-a-hashtag
Oil Spill
GARY RIKARD: BP settlement will not change Mississippi's restoration
process
Sun Herald
When millions of gallons of oil threatened our Mississippi coastline in
2010, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality was appointed to
take the lead in recovering from the greatest man-made environmental
disaster in our nation's history.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/18/6371883/gary-rikard-bp-settlement-will.html
Scientists skeptical of uptick in endangered turtle's nests
Houston Chronicle
GALVESTON - The nesting season for the official Texas sea turtle ended last
month with an increase in the number of nests, but scientists warn that the
upticks are not enough to dispel predictions of a downward spiral for the
endangered species.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/science-environment/article/Scientists-skeptical-about-uptick-in-endangered-6449541.php
National
Republicans, states attack new EPA power plant rule
Fox News
Republican congressional leaders are charging that the Environmental
Protection Agency colluded with environmental lobbyists to develop a plan,
unveiled earlier this month, for the most sweeping -- and perhaps
unconstitutional -- changes ever undertaken in existing U.S. power
generation.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/18/republicans-states-attack-new-epa-power-plant-rule/
EPA hits oil and gas industry with new methane emissions regs
Fox News
The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled plans Tuesday to slash methane
emissions from oil and gas production almost in half, the latest in a
series of administration regulations aimed at curbing global warming.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/18/obama-administration-unveils-proposals-to-slash-methane-emissions/?intcmp=hpbt2
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
News Clippings 8/18/15
State
Tupelo buys water rights for annexed areas
By William Moore
Daily Journal
TUPELO – After lengthy discussions with the North Lee Water Association,
the city of Tupelo has purchased the water rights for the areas annexed in
2012.
http://djournal.com/news/tupelo-buys-water-rights-for-annexed-areas/
Two solar farms sprout in Chickasaw County
By Floyd Ingram
Chickasaw Journal
HOUSTON – Chickasaw County is growing solar farms faster than any other
county in Northeast Mississippi.
http://djournal.com/news/two-solar-farms-sprout-in-chickasaw-county/
USGS confirms earthquake in Madison County
Clarion Ledger
After initially saying there was no activity in the area , officials
with the U.S. Geological Survey have confirmed an earthquake in
Madison County Monday.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/madison/2015/08/17/reports-another-earthquake-madison-county/31860843/
2.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Madison County, Fourth this year
WJTV
The U.S. Geological Survey is confirming that a small earthquake hit part
of Madison County at exactly one o'clock Monday afternoon.
http://wjtv.com/2015/08/17/2-6-magnitude-earthquake-hits-madison-county-fourth-this-year/
Oil Spill
Mississippi Center for Justice on BP Oil Spill Recovery
WXXV
Another local legal group has also been hard at work since the 2010 oil
spill, the Mississippi Center for Justice.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Mississippi-Center-for-Justice-on-BP-Oil-Spill/J8elKJ0wzk28ax-5vf7bgg.cspx
National
EPA to Propose Rules Cutting Methane Emissions From Oil and Gas Drilling
Agency to call for 40%-45% cut in methane emissions by 2025
WSJ
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday will propose
the first-ever federal regulations to cut methane emissions from the
nation's oil and natural-gas industry, according to people familiar with
the move, which is part of President Barack Obama's climate agenda.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-to-propose-rules-cutting-methane-emissions-from-oil-and-gas-drilling-1439852519
EPA inspector general begins investigation into mine spill
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG)
said Monday it will begin investigation the Aug. 5 incident that sent 3
million gallons of toxic sludge into Colorado's Animas River.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/251325-epa-inspector-general-begins-investigation-into-mine-spill
California to seize as many as 300 farms for still-unapproved water tunnels
Associated Press
August 17, 2015 at 7:30 PM
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — State contractors have readied plans to acquire as
many as 300 farms in the California delta by eminent domain to make room
for a pair of massive, still-unapproved water tunnels proposed by Gov.
Jerry Brown, according to documents obtained by opponents of the tunnels.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/california_to_seize_as_many_as.html#incart_river
Tupelo buys water rights for annexed areas
By William Moore
Daily Journal
TUPELO – After lengthy discussions with the North Lee Water Association,
the city of Tupelo has purchased the water rights for the areas annexed in
2012.
http://djournal.com/news/tupelo-buys-water-rights-for-annexed-areas/
Two solar farms sprout in Chickasaw County
By Floyd Ingram
Chickasaw Journal
HOUSTON – Chickasaw County is growing solar farms faster than any other
county in Northeast Mississippi.
http://djournal.com/news/two-solar-farms-sprout-in-chickasaw-county/
USGS confirms earthquake in Madison County
Clarion Ledger
After initially saying there was no activity in the area , officials
with the U.S. Geological Survey have confirmed an earthquake in
Madison County Monday.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/madison/2015/08/17/reports-another-earthquake-madison-county/31860843/
2.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Madison County, Fourth this year
WJTV
The U.S. Geological Survey is confirming that a small earthquake hit part
of Madison County at exactly one o'clock Monday afternoon.
http://wjtv.com/2015/08/17/2-6-magnitude-earthquake-hits-madison-county-fourth-this-year/
Oil Spill
Mississippi Center for Justice on BP Oil Spill Recovery
WXXV
Another local legal group has also been hard at work since the 2010 oil
spill, the Mississippi Center for Justice.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Mississippi-Center-for-Justice-on-BP-Oil-Spill/J8elKJ0wzk28ax-5vf7bgg.cspx
National
EPA to Propose Rules Cutting Methane Emissions From Oil and Gas Drilling
Agency to call for 40%-45% cut in methane emissions by 2025
WSJ
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday will propose
the first-ever federal regulations to cut methane emissions from the
nation's oil and natural-gas industry, according to people familiar with
the move, which is part of President Barack Obama's climate agenda.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-to-propose-rules-cutting-methane-emissions-from-oil-and-gas-drilling-1439852519
EPA inspector general begins investigation into mine spill
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG)
said Monday it will begin investigation the Aug. 5 incident that sent 3
million gallons of toxic sludge into Colorado's Animas River.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/251325-epa-inspector-general-begins-investigation-into-mine-spill
California to seize as many as 300 farms for still-unapproved water tunnels
Associated Press
August 17, 2015 at 7:30 PM
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — State contractors have readied plans to acquire as
many as 300 farms in the California delta by eminent domain to make room
for a pair of massive, still-unapproved water tunnels proposed by Gov.
Jerry Brown, according to documents obtained by opponents of the tunnels.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/california_to_seize_as_many_as.html#incart_river
Monday, August 17, 2015
News Clippings 8/17/15
Lawsuit: DEQ looked other way at hazardous waste site
Clarion Ledger
An Ohio company has filed a federal lawsuit, accusing the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and two of its
employees of concealing the magnitude of problems at a hazardous
waste recycling site in Yazoo City, costing the company millions in
extra cleanup costs.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/08/14/lawsuit-deq-looked-way-hazardous-waste-site/31754571/
Kemper Coal Plant on Track for Full Production in First Half of 2016
WTOK
Kemper County, MS You get what you pay for, is an idiom we hear all too
often. Providing service and high quality products is the aim for many
businesses(Embedded image moved to file: pic18716.jpg), so customers can
get the biggest bang for their buck. Like all businesses you must adapt to
the changing times and that's what Mississippi Power is doing when it comes
to building a new power plant.
http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Kemper-Coal-Plant-on-Track-for-Full-Production-in-First-Half-of-2016-321960902.html
New recycling cans on way in Hub City
Hattiesburg American
Admittedly, the year's rollout of the City ofHattiesburg's in-house
recycling program has not been the smoothest of rides.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2015/08/15/hattiesburg-recycling-cans-way/31802421/
Some federal funds mishandled after Hurricane Katrina
Hattiesburg American
WASHINGTON – The 37-foot storm surge and pounding winds that
obliterated all but about 40 homes in Waveland were soon followed by
another flood — hundreds of millions of federal disaster-recovery
dollars flowing from the nation's capital.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2015/08/16/hurricane-katrina-fraud-funds/31817551/
Oil Spill
Louisiana's settlement with BP has not resolved claims filed by two public
university systems
New Orleans Advocate
Call it a $274 million loose end.
That's how much hangs in the balance for the University of Louisiana and
Southern University systems, which filed lawsuits against BP to recover
that much in what they said was lost revenue tied to the 2010 Deepwater
Horizon disaster.
http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/news/13178935-123/louisianas-settlement-with-bp-has
Regional
Louisiana joins other states in asking courts to postpone power plant
emissions deadlines
Diana Samuels
The Times-Picayune
August 14, 2015 at 12:54 PM
Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and 14 other state attorneys
general are continuing legal efforts to block President Barack Obama's
clean power plan.
http://impact.nola.com/environment/print.html?entry=/2015/08/louisiana_joins_other_states_i.html
National
Obama seeks new air pollution limits for landfills
The Hill
The Obama administration on Friday said it wants to restrict allowable
methane emissions from landfills by about a third.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/251171-obama-seeks-new-air-pollution-limits-for-landfills
Rivers in Utah, New Mexico Reopened After Mine Spill
Animas and San Juan rivers safe for drinking water, recreation as
contaminants from Colorado gold mine have dissipated, officials say
WSJ
The Animas and San Juan rivers, polluted by a leak from a Colorado gold
mine Aug. 5, have been reopened for public use.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/utah-new-mexico-say-san-juan-river-water-is-safe-to-drink-1439764676
Critics use Colorado mine spill to fault EPA
AP
WASHINGTON — Authorities say rivers in the West tainted by the massive
spill from an abandoned Colorado gold mine are starting to recover, but for
the Environmental Protection Agency the political fallout from the disaster
could linger.
http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Critics-use-Colorado-mine-spill-to-fault-EPA-6446516.php
Opinion
Point-Counterpoint: EPA policy's impact
Clarion Ledger
The Clarion-Ledger invited Ron Aldridge, Mississippi state director
of the National Federation of Independent Business, and Louie
Miller, state director of the Mississippi chapter of the Sierra
Club, to provide their thoughts on this week's Point/Counterpoint
question.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/2015/08/15/point-counterpoint-epa-policys-impact/31770521/
Mabus: Gulf Coast, RESTORE and more
Clarion Ledger
The talent is there, and the tools are coming to enable America's
Gulf Coast to remake itself better than it was before the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/08/15/mabus-gulf-coast-restore/31789063/
Editorial: State should help Jackson
Clarion Ledger
Measures proposed by the city of Jackson to offset expected budget
shortfalls are drastic and dangerous, but they are also among the
few options left. Mississippi's capital city is facing millions upon
millions in infrastructure projects and a declining tax base while
at the same time playing host to state agencies that have made their
home here tax free.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/08/15/editorial-state-help-jackson/31767799/
DAVID DALLAS — The dirt on Kemper Coal
MBJ
The State Supreme Court has told Mississippi Power and its parent Southern
Company to refund money to almost 200,000 customers. The state's Public
Service Commission had given Southern Company permission to start
increasing rates on customers in an effort to pay off what is easily the
most expensive boondoggle in Mississippi history.
http://msbusiness.com/2015/02/david-dallas-dirt-kemper-coal/
Friday, August 14, 2015
News Clippings 8.14.15
State
Energy Efficiency Conference Hosted At MSU
WCBI
A number of professionals came together at Mississippi State to explore
challenges and new opportunities in energy storage.
http://www.wcbi.com/uncategorized/video-energy-efficiency-conference-hosted-at-msu/
In Biloxi, chlorine leak repaired
Sun Herald
Biloxi firefighters called in a Hazmat team Thursday to fix a chlorine leak
on a Harrison County water well in the Woolmarket community, Biloxi Fire
Chief Joe Boney said.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/13/6364433/in-biloxi-chlorine-leak-repaired.html
Jackson, Ridgeland issue emergency water conservation requests
WLBT
RIDGELAND, MS (Mississippi News Now) -Two cities in metro area are asking
residents and businesses to conserve water.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29783787/jackson-ridgeland-issue-emergency-water-conservation-requests
Oil Spill
Restore council recommends $21 million in Mississippi projects
WLOX
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -The Gulf Coast Restore Council on Thursday released a
list of recommended projects that will be funded with nearly $140 million
in BP settlement money. Some $21 million is set aside for Mississippi.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29783689/restore-council-recommends-21-million-in-mississippi-projects
$140 million in conservation work proposed for Gulf of Mexico
AP
NEW ORLEANS -- Ten watersheds around the rim of the Gulf of Mexico -- from
Florida to Texas -- are being looked at as sites for $140 million in
proposed conservation projects under a plan to restore the Gulf from BP's
catastrophic 2010 oil spill.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/13/6365203_140-million-in-conservation-work.html?rh=1
Public comments sought on $139 million in proposed oil spill restoration
projects
Al.com
Dennis Pillion
August 13, 2015 at 11:44 AM
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council released a draft Funded
Priorities List (FPL) Thursday for public comment. This FPL details active
restoration projects total $139.6 million, and recommends setting aside
approximately $43.6 million for future projects.
http://blog.al.com/news_impact/print.html?entry=/2015/08/public_comments_sought_on_139.html
Louisiana restoration projects to get another $52 million in Transocean
fines
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
August 13, 2015 at 6:27 PM
Six coastal and wetland restoration projects and a study of the lower
Mississippi River will receive $52 million from Clean Water Act fines paid
by Transocean, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon drillship that exploded
during the BP oil spill disaster in 2010.
The money is part of a proposal released Thursday by the federal-state
panel that oversees the Restore Act Trust Fund.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/louisiana_to_receive_restorati.html#incart_river
National
States Move to Block Obama Administration's New Carbon Rules
Fifteen states petition court to issue emergency stay, the first step in an
expected lengthy battle
WSJ
WASHINGTON—Fifteen states asked a federal court Thursday to temporarily
block Obama administration carbon regulations while they mount a full legal
challenge to the rules.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/states-move-to-block-obama-administration-carbon-rules-1439502365
Fifteen states petition DC court to block new EPA power plant rules
Fox News
Attorneys general from 15 states filed a petition in federal court Thursday
to block new EPA rules requiring massive cuts in emissions from power
plants.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/14/fifteen-states-petition-dc-court-to-block-new-epa-power-plant-rules/?intcmp=hplnws
National Challenge of Leaking Mines Dwarfs Colorado Spill
AP
It will take many years and many millions of dollars simply to manage and
not even remove the toxic wastewater from an abandoned mine that unleashed
a 100-mile-long torrent of heavy metals into Western rivers and has likely
reached Lake Powell, experts said.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/national-challenge-leaking-mines-dwarfs-colorado-spill-33078587?singlePage=true
Press releases
GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL RELEASES DRAFT
INITIAL FUNDED PRIORITIES LIST
Mississippi's public meeting to be held September 10 in Biloxi
NEW ORLEANS – The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) today
released a draft Initial Funded Priorities List (draft FPL). The Council,
which is comprised of trustees from the five coastal states, affected by
the spill, and the federal partners, is proposing to focus on 10 key
watersheds across the Gulf. Using funds from the settlement with Transocean
Deepwater Inc., the Council is seeking to provide near-term, on-the-ground
ecosystem benefits, while also conducting planning activities designed to
build a foundation for future success as additional funds become available
from other parties. The Council is proposing to focus on 10 key watersheds
across the Gulf in order to concentrate and leverage funds to address
critical ecosystem needs in high priority locations. The Council also
proposes a suite of Gulf-wide investments designed to support holistic
ecosystem restoration and lay the foundation for future success.
This draft FPL would fund approximately $139.6 million in restoration
activities such as hydrologic restoration, land conservation and planning
for large-scale restoration projects. In addition, the Council is reserving
approximately $43.6 million for implementation of additional activities in
the future, subject to further Council review.
The draft FPL is available for public and tribal review and comment through
Sept. 28, 2015.
The Council will host a series of public meetings across the Gulf Coast to
discuss the draft FPL and seek public and tribal comments.
"This draft FPL focuses on key watersheds and estuaries across the Gulf,
using foundational restoration techniques tailored to the needs of specific
areas," said Justin R. Ehrenwerth, executive director of the Council.
"We're fortunate to have a diverse and dedicated group of stakeholders who
have helped to get us to this point. Once again, we ask for your feedback
and assistance in ensuring that we do the right thing for the Gulf."
"Today's announcement means more than $21 million is directly being
invested in Mississippi's continued efforts to restore our Gulf Coast. An
additional $11 million through Gulf-wide investments will touch Mississippi
in some shape or form. We believe all of these investments further our
principle of making Mississippi whole, and represent priorities as
established by the broader Mississippi stakeholder community," said Gary
Rikard, MDEQ Executive Director.
The proposed Mississippi projects that are included on the draft FPL
include:
· Land Conservation (~$15.5 million)
· Education and Outreach of the benefits of Land Conservation (~$750,000)
· The Mississippi Sound Estuarine Program (~$2.3 million)
· Enhancing Beneficial Opportunities for Use of Dredge Sediments(~
$2.2million)
The schedule of upcoming public meetings to discuss the draft FPL and seek
public input is as follows:
Aug. 20, 2015 |Texas A&M University |6:00 p.m.
|6300 Ocean Drive |CST
|Corpus Christi, TX 48412 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Aug. 26, 2015 |FWC Fish & Wildlife Research |6:00 p.m.
|Institute |EST
|100 Eighth Ave. SE |
|St. Petersburg, FL 33701 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Aug. 27, 2015 |Gulf Coast State College |6:00 p.m.
|5230 West US Hwy. 98 |CST
|Panama City, FL 32401 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Sept. 1, 2015 |Battle House Renaissance Mobile |6:00 p.m.
|26 North Royal St. |CST
|Mobile, AL 36602 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Sept. 10, 2015 |Coast Coliseum & Convention Center |5:00 p.m.
|2350 Beach Blvd. |CST
|Biloxi, MS 39531 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Sept. 15, 2015 |Homer L. Hitt Alumni Center |5:30 p.m.
|2000 Lakeshore Drive |CST
|New Orleans, LA 70148 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Sept. 16, 2015 |Morgan City Municipal Auditorium |5:30 p.m.
|728 Myrtle St. |CST
|Morgan City, LA 70380 |
The draft FPL can be found on the Council's website at
www.RestoreTheGulf.gov.
The public is encouraged to provide comments online at
www.RestoreTheGulf.gov (preferred method); by mail to Gulf Coast Ecosystem
Restoration Council, Attention: Draft FPL Comments, Hale Boggs Federal
Building, 500 Poydras Street, Suite 1117, New Orleans, LA 70130; by e-mail
todraftfplcomments@restorethegulf.gov; or in person during formal public
comment periods at any of the public meetings.
Energy Efficiency Conference Hosted At MSU
WCBI
A number of professionals came together at Mississippi State to explore
challenges and new opportunities in energy storage.
http://www.wcbi.com/uncategorized/video-energy-efficiency-conference-hosted-at-msu/
In Biloxi, chlorine leak repaired
Sun Herald
Biloxi firefighters called in a Hazmat team Thursday to fix a chlorine leak
on a Harrison County water well in the Woolmarket community, Biloxi Fire
Chief Joe Boney said.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/13/6364433/in-biloxi-chlorine-leak-repaired.html
Jackson, Ridgeland issue emergency water conservation requests
WLBT
RIDGELAND, MS (Mississippi News Now) -Two cities in metro area are asking
residents and businesses to conserve water.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/29783787/jackson-ridgeland-issue-emergency-water-conservation-requests
Oil Spill
Restore council recommends $21 million in Mississippi projects
WLOX
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -The Gulf Coast Restore Council on Thursday released a
list of recommended projects that will be funded with nearly $140 million
in BP settlement money. Some $21 million is set aside for Mississippi.
http://www.wlox.com/story/29783689/restore-council-recommends-21-million-in-mississippi-projects
$140 million in conservation work proposed for Gulf of Mexico
AP
NEW ORLEANS -- Ten watersheds around the rim of the Gulf of Mexico -- from
Florida to Texas -- are being looked at as sites for $140 million in
proposed conservation projects under a plan to restore the Gulf from BP's
catastrophic 2010 oil spill.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/08/13/6365203_140-million-in-conservation-work.html?rh=1
Public comments sought on $139 million in proposed oil spill restoration
projects
Al.com
Dennis Pillion
August 13, 2015 at 11:44 AM
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council released a draft Funded
Priorities List (FPL) Thursday for public comment. This FPL details active
restoration projects total $139.6 million, and recommends setting aside
approximately $43.6 million for future projects.
http://blog.al.com/news_impact/print.html?entry=/2015/08/public_comments_sought_on_139.html
Louisiana restoration projects to get another $52 million in Transocean
fines
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
August 13, 2015 at 6:27 PM
Six coastal and wetland restoration projects and a study of the lower
Mississippi River will receive $52 million from Clean Water Act fines paid
by Transocean, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon drillship that exploded
during the BP oil spill disaster in 2010.
The money is part of a proposal released Thursday by the federal-state
panel that oversees the Restore Act Trust Fund.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/louisiana_to_receive_restorati.html#incart_river
National
States Move to Block Obama Administration's New Carbon Rules
Fifteen states petition court to issue emergency stay, the first step in an
expected lengthy battle
WSJ
WASHINGTON—Fifteen states asked a federal court Thursday to temporarily
block Obama administration carbon regulations while they mount a full legal
challenge to the rules.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/states-move-to-block-obama-administration-carbon-rules-1439502365
Fifteen states petition DC court to block new EPA power plant rules
Fox News
Attorneys general from 15 states filed a petition in federal court Thursday
to block new EPA rules requiring massive cuts in emissions from power
plants.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/14/fifteen-states-petition-dc-court-to-block-new-epa-power-plant-rules/?intcmp=hplnws
National Challenge of Leaking Mines Dwarfs Colorado Spill
AP
It will take many years and many millions of dollars simply to manage and
not even remove the toxic wastewater from an abandoned mine that unleashed
a 100-mile-long torrent of heavy metals into Western rivers and has likely
reached Lake Powell, experts said.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/national-challenge-leaking-mines-dwarfs-colorado-spill-33078587?singlePage=true
Press releases
GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL RELEASES DRAFT
INITIAL FUNDED PRIORITIES LIST
Mississippi's public meeting to be held September 10 in Biloxi
NEW ORLEANS – The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) today
released a draft Initial Funded Priorities List (draft FPL). The Council,
which is comprised of trustees from the five coastal states, affected by
the spill, and the federal partners, is proposing to focus on 10 key
watersheds across the Gulf. Using funds from the settlement with Transocean
Deepwater Inc., the Council is seeking to provide near-term, on-the-ground
ecosystem benefits, while also conducting planning activities designed to
build a foundation for future success as additional funds become available
from other parties. The Council is proposing to focus on 10 key watersheds
across the Gulf in order to concentrate and leverage funds to address
critical ecosystem needs in high priority locations. The Council also
proposes a suite of Gulf-wide investments designed to support holistic
ecosystem restoration and lay the foundation for future success.
This draft FPL would fund approximately $139.6 million in restoration
activities such as hydrologic restoration, land conservation and planning
for large-scale restoration projects. In addition, the Council is reserving
approximately $43.6 million for implementation of additional activities in
the future, subject to further Council review.
The draft FPL is available for public and tribal review and comment through
Sept. 28, 2015.
The Council will host a series of public meetings across the Gulf Coast to
discuss the draft FPL and seek public and tribal comments.
"This draft FPL focuses on key watersheds and estuaries across the Gulf,
using foundational restoration techniques tailored to the needs of specific
areas," said Justin R. Ehrenwerth, executive director of the Council.
"We're fortunate to have a diverse and dedicated group of stakeholders who
have helped to get us to this point. Once again, we ask for your feedback
and assistance in ensuring that we do the right thing for the Gulf."
"Today's announcement means more than $21 million is directly being
invested in Mississippi's continued efforts to restore our Gulf Coast. An
additional $11 million through Gulf-wide investments will touch Mississippi
in some shape or form. We believe all of these investments further our
principle of making Mississippi whole, and represent priorities as
established by the broader Mississippi stakeholder community," said Gary
Rikard, MDEQ Executive Director.
The proposed Mississippi projects that are included on the draft FPL
include:
· Land Conservation (~$15.5 million)
· Education and Outreach of the benefits of Land Conservation (~$750,000)
· The Mississippi Sound Estuarine Program (~$2.3 million)
· Enhancing Beneficial Opportunities for Use of Dredge Sediments(~
$2.2million)
The schedule of upcoming public meetings to discuss the draft FPL and seek
public input is as follows:
Aug. 20, 2015 |Texas A&M University |6:00 p.m.
|6300 Ocean Drive |CST
|Corpus Christi, TX 48412 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Aug. 26, 2015 |FWC Fish & Wildlife Research |6:00 p.m.
|Institute |EST
|100 Eighth Ave. SE |
|St. Petersburg, FL 33701 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Aug. 27, 2015 |Gulf Coast State College |6:00 p.m.
|5230 West US Hwy. 98 |CST
|Panama City, FL 32401 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Sept. 1, 2015 |Battle House Renaissance Mobile |6:00 p.m.
|26 North Royal St. |CST
|Mobile, AL 36602 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Sept. 10, 2015 |Coast Coliseum & Convention Center |5:00 p.m.
|2350 Beach Blvd. |CST
|Biloxi, MS 39531 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Sept. 15, 2015 |Homer L. Hitt Alumni Center |5:30 p.m.
|2000 Lakeshore Drive |CST
|New Orleans, LA 70148 |
------------------------+-------------------------------------+------------
Sept. 16, 2015 |Morgan City Municipal Auditorium |5:30 p.m.
|728 Myrtle St. |CST
|Morgan City, LA 70380 |
The draft FPL can be found on the Council's website at
www.RestoreTheGulf.gov.
The public is encouraged to provide comments online at
www.RestoreTheGulf.gov (preferred method); by mail to Gulf Coast Ecosystem
Restoration Council, Attention: Draft FPL Comments, Hale Boggs Federal
Building, 500 Poydras Street, Suite 1117, New Orleans, LA 70130; by e-mail
todraftfplcomments@restorethegulf.gov; or in person during formal public
comment periods at any of the public meetings.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
News Clippings 8.13.15
State
Tupelo ready to accept the TVA challenge
By William Moore
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Residents will be able to not only save money but also join in a
friendly competition with other cities during the Tennessee Valley
Authority's Energy Efficiency Challenge.
http://djournal.com/news/tupelo-ready-to-accept-the-tva-challenge/
Oil Spill
Coastal Delegation Working to Keep BP Settlement Money on the Coast
WXXV
Teamwork: that's the name of the game for local state Legislators who are
trying to ensure BP oil spill money comes back to South Mississippi. Our
coastal delegation has been working together to plan how we can ensure the
$150 million coming back to the state legislature in January makes its way
home.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Coastal-Delegation-Working-to-Keep-BP-Settlement/840ooTNkJEGs6sWcUmrefQ.cspx
$3M oyster hatchery in Grand Isle set to open Wednesday
The Associated Press
August 12, 2015 at 10:06 AM
GRAND ISLE -- State officials are in Grand Isle to formally open a new
oyster hatchery built with $3 million in BP oil spill settlement money.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2015/08/oyster_hatchery_grand_isle.html#incart_river
Regional
State leaders renew calls to fix wetlands destroyed by MRGO shipping
channel
The Associated Press
August 12, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Environmental groups and state leaders Tuesday renewed calls to fix the
wetlands outside New Orleans destroyed by the Mississippi River-Gulf
Outlet, a federally built shipping channel blamed for worsening the effects
of Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/wetlands_restoration_mrgo.html#incart_river
National
States challenge air pollution 'loophole' rule
The Hill
Seventeen states filed a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) crackdown on air pollution from power plants during
exceptional periods.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/250960-state-challenge-air-pollution-loophole-rule
EPA Halts Field Work at Mines After Toxic Spill
Agency contractor doing such work caused breach at Colorado's Gold King
Mine
WSJ
The Environmental Protection Agency suspended investigative field work at
mine sites nationwide Wednesday, a week after one of its contractors doing
such work caused a breach at a Colorado gold mine that sent a surge of
toxic sludge into a major southwestern river system.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-halts-field-work-at-mine-sites-after-toxic-spill-1439422061
EPA Contractor Involved in Colorado Spill Identified as Environmental
Restoration
Fenton, Mo., company was tasked with mitigating pollutants from closed mine
WSJ
Missouri-based Environmental Restoration LLC was the contractor whose work
caused a mine spill in Colorado that released an estimated 3 million
gallons of toxic sludge into a major river system, according to an
Environmental Protection Agency official and government documents reviewed
by The Wall Street Journal.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-contractor-involved-in-colorado-spill-identified-as-environmental-restoration-1439414672
Opinion
BP settlement belongs to Mississippi Gulf Coast
Hattiesburg American
State Sen. Chris McDaniel
On April 20, 2010, an explosion at the British Petroleum offshore
drilling platform,Deepwater Horizon, operating in the Gulf of
Mexico, caused nearly 5 million barrels of oil to gush into the
ocean. Spewing uncontrollably for several months, much of it reached
the shores of Mississippi, polluting beaches and wetlands, harming
tourism and devastating the vital fishing industry.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/08/11/mcdaniel-bp-settlement-funds/31433625/
Salter: Kemper plant may shape PSC race
Clarion Ledger
STARKVILLE – One of the more intriguing general election showdowns
in Mississippi will come in the Central District Public Service
Commissio race between Republican Brent Bailey, Democrat Cecil Brown
and Reform Party nominee Latrice D. Notree.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/2015/08/12/salter-kemper-plant-may-shape-psc-race/31529565/
Obama's Climate Plan and Poverty
The EPA's new anticarbon rule is full of redistribution to offset its harm
to the poor.
WSJ
President Obama says that critics of his plan to decarbonize the economy
are "the special interests and their allies in Congress" repeating "the
same stale arguments" about "killing jobs and businesses and freedom." He
adds that "even more cynical, we've got critics of this plan who are
actually claiming that this will harm minority and low-income communities."
http://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-climate-plan-and-poverty-1439420266
Press releases
Regional Conservation Partnership Program Available in Mississippi Delta
Jackson, Miss. – The United States Department of Agriculture/Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The funding is through
the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and is a stewardship
partnership between NRCS, USA Rice Council and Ducks Unlimited.
The RCPP program will assist landowners and rice producers that voluntarily
implement conservation and management practices that help reduce
groundwater demand in the Mississippi Delta. These conservation practices
work to improve irrigation water management, control sediment and nutrient
runoff, and provide waterfowl habitat on rice production lands, helping to
ensure sustainability of the water source for future rice production.
This financial assistance program is targeted for rice production acreage
in 10 Mississippi counties in the Delta that are over an alluvial aquifer
and will invest approximately $560,000 in 2016. The counties that
currently qualify are Bolivar, Coahoma, Humphreys, Leflore, Quitman,
Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, and Washington.
"NRCS is proud to partner with the USA Rice Federation and Ducks Unlimited
to provide financial assistance to eligible landowners and producers in the
Mississippi Delta to address the water resource concerns in the local
aquifer," stated Kurt Readus, state conservationist for Mississippi.
Landowners and producers interested in participating in the RCPP may apply
at their local USDA Service Center / NRCS office. NRCS
financial-assistance programs offer a continuous sign-up, however
applications received by October 16, 2015 will be considered for funding.
Specific sign-up deadlines are established for ranking, contracting and
funding with additional ranking deadlines established if additional funding
is available.
To locate an office, please go to
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app. For more information, visit
our website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/ms/home/.
#
School Indoor Air Quality Assessments Go Mobile
EPA Launches School IAQ Assessment Mobile App
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today launched
a new mobile app to assist schools and school districts with performing
comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) facility assessments to protect the
health of children and school staff. The School IAQ Assessment mobile app
is a "one-stop shop" for accessing guidance from EPA's Indoor Air Quality
Tools for Schools Action Kit.
"Kids learn best in a healthy school environment. Now there's an app for
that! This app puts a powerful tool in the hands of people at the state,
district and school level to protect children's health" said Janet McCabe,
assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "This mobile
app is our latest effort to provide updated, user-friendly guidance to help
schools identify, resolve and prevent indoor air quality problems, using
low- and no-cost measures."
The mobile app provides schools and school districts with an efficient,
innovative technology integrated with proven strategies for addressing
critical building-related environmental health issues such as ventilation,
cleaning and maintenance, environmental asthma triggers, radon, and
integrated pest management. Schools that want to develop, sustain or
reinvigorate their IAQ management programs can use this tool to identify
and prioritize IAQ improvements. The School IAQ Assessment mobile app
complements existing IAQ management programs and can become the central
tracking mechanism schools and districts use to organize building
assessments and prioritize IAQ improvements.
Today, half of the schools in the United States have adopted IAQ management
programs, the majority of which are based on EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools
guidance. EPA developed the mobile app to help these schools more
efficiently carry out their IAQ management programs and to help the
remaining nearly 60,000 schools to conduct regular and thorough assessments
to ensure their schools are safe and productive places to learn.
How It Works
• DOWNLOAD: Go to www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/iaq_schools_mobile_app and
initiate the app on your Apple or Android smart device. Access the How to
Get Started section to review the set-up options, intent and capabilities
of the app.
• ASSESS: Conduct a walkthrough of your school buildings using a set of
easy-to-follow checklists — all you need is an Internet connection. Then,
submit your completed checklists via email to a designated IAQ coordinator
for review and follow-up action. You can also attach photos and detailed
notes about the assessed area in your completed checklist submission.
• DISCOVER: The completed checklists will identify IAQ concerns and
validate good IAQ practices already in place. Checklists are provided to
your designated IAQ Coordinator with recommended action steps generated by
the app to address identified IAQ problems. Recommendations are based on
the Framework for Effective IAQ Management for comprehensively addressing
IAQ.
• LEARN MORE: The mobile app includes other valuable resources from the IAQ
Tools for Schools Action Kit, such as information on radon and asthma
management in schools, as well as, EPA's newest guidance – Energy Savings
Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building Upgrades,
which integrates IAQ protections into school energy retrofits and other
building projects.
Visit http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/iaq_schools_mobile_app/ to download
the new mobile app and www.epa.gov/schools for other valuable school
environmental health resources
Tupelo ready to accept the TVA challenge
By William Moore
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Residents will be able to not only save money but also join in a
friendly competition with other cities during the Tennessee Valley
Authority's Energy Efficiency Challenge.
http://djournal.com/news/tupelo-ready-to-accept-the-tva-challenge/
Oil Spill
Coastal Delegation Working to Keep BP Settlement Money on the Coast
WXXV
Teamwork: that's the name of the game for local state Legislators who are
trying to ensure BP oil spill money comes back to South Mississippi. Our
coastal delegation has been working together to plan how we can ensure the
$150 million coming back to the state legislature in January makes its way
home.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Coastal-Delegation-Working-to-Keep-BP-Settlement/840ooTNkJEGs6sWcUmrefQ.cspx
$3M oyster hatchery in Grand Isle set to open Wednesday
The Associated Press
August 12, 2015 at 10:06 AM
GRAND ISLE -- State officials are in Grand Isle to formally open a new
oyster hatchery built with $3 million in BP oil spill settlement money.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2015/08/oyster_hatchery_grand_isle.html#incart_river
Regional
State leaders renew calls to fix wetlands destroyed by MRGO shipping
channel
The Associated Press
August 12, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Environmental groups and state leaders Tuesday renewed calls to fix the
wetlands outside New Orleans destroyed by the Mississippi River-Gulf
Outlet, a federally built shipping channel blamed for worsening the effects
of Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2015/08/wetlands_restoration_mrgo.html#incart_river
National
States challenge air pollution 'loophole' rule
The Hill
Seventeen states filed a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) crackdown on air pollution from power plants during
exceptional periods.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/250960-state-challenge-air-pollution-loophole-rule
EPA Halts Field Work at Mines After Toxic Spill
Agency contractor doing such work caused breach at Colorado's Gold King
Mine
WSJ
The Environmental Protection Agency suspended investigative field work at
mine sites nationwide Wednesday, a week after one of its contractors doing
such work caused a breach at a Colorado gold mine that sent a surge of
toxic sludge into a major southwestern river system.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-halts-field-work-at-mine-sites-after-toxic-spill-1439422061
EPA Contractor Involved in Colorado Spill Identified as Environmental
Restoration
Fenton, Mo., company was tasked with mitigating pollutants from closed mine
WSJ
Missouri-based Environmental Restoration LLC was the contractor whose work
caused a mine spill in Colorado that released an estimated 3 million
gallons of toxic sludge into a major river system, according to an
Environmental Protection Agency official and government documents reviewed
by The Wall Street Journal.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-contractor-involved-in-colorado-spill-identified-as-environmental-restoration-1439414672
Opinion
BP settlement belongs to Mississippi Gulf Coast
Hattiesburg American
State Sen. Chris McDaniel
On April 20, 2010, an explosion at the British Petroleum offshore
drilling platform,Deepwater Horizon, operating in the Gulf of
Mexico, caused nearly 5 million barrels of oil to gush into the
ocean. Spewing uncontrollably for several months, much of it reached
the shores of Mississippi, polluting beaches and wetlands, harming
tourism and devastating the vital fishing industry.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/08/11/mcdaniel-bp-settlement-funds/31433625/
Salter: Kemper plant may shape PSC race
Clarion Ledger
STARKVILLE – One of the more intriguing general election showdowns
in Mississippi will come in the Central District Public Service
Commissio race between Republican Brent Bailey, Democrat Cecil Brown
and Reform Party nominee Latrice D. Notree.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/2015/08/12/salter-kemper-plant-may-shape-psc-race/31529565/
Obama's Climate Plan and Poverty
The EPA's new anticarbon rule is full of redistribution to offset its harm
to the poor.
WSJ
President Obama says that critics of his plan to decarbonize the economy
are "the special interests and their allies in Congress" repeating "the
same stale arguments" about "killing jobs and businesses and freedom." He
adds that "even more cynical, we've got critics of this plan who are
actually claiming that this will harm minority and low-income communities."
http://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-climate-plan-and-poverty-1439420266
Press releases
Regional Conservation Partnership Program Available in Mississippi Delta
Jackson, Miss. – The United States Department of Agriculture/Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The funding is through
the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and is a stewardship
partnership between NRCS, USA Rice Council and Ducks Unlimited.
The RCPP program will assist landowners and rice producers that voluntarily
implement conservation and management practices that help reduce
groundwater demand in the Mississippi Delta. These conservation practices
work to improve irrigation water management, control sediment and nutrient
runoff, and provide waterfowl habitat on rice production lands, helping to
ensure sustainability of the water source for future rice production.
This financial assistance program is targeted for rice production acreage
in 10 Mississippi counties in the Delta that are over an alluvial aquifer
and will invest approximately $560,000 in 2016. The counties that
currently qualify are Bolivar, Coahoma, Humphreys, Leflore, Quitman,
Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, and Washington.
"NRCS is proud to partner with the USA Rice Federation and Ducks Unlimited
to provide financial assistance to eligible landowners and producers in the
Mississippi Delta to address the water resource concerns in the local
aquifer," stated Kurt Readus, state conservationist for Mississippi.
Landowners and producers interested in participating in the RCPP may apply
at their local USDA Service Center / NRCS office. NRCS
financial-assistance programs offer a continuous sign-up, however
applications received by October 16, 2015 will be considered for funding.
Specific sign-up deadlines are established for ranking, contracting and
funding with additional ranking deadlines established if additional funding
is available.
To locate an office, please go to
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app. For more information, visit
our website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/ms/home/.
#
School Indoor Air Quality Assessments Go Mobile
EPA Launches School IAQ Assessment Mobile App
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today launched
a new mobile app to assist schools and school districts with performing
comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) facility assessments to protect the
health of children and school staff. The School IAQ Assessment mobile app
is a "one-stop shop" for accessing guidance from EPA's Indoor Air Quality
Tools for Schools Action Kit.
"Kids learn best in a healthy school environment. Now there's an app for
that! This app puts a powerful tool in the hands of people at the state,
district and school level to protect children's health" said Janet McCabe,
assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "This mobile
app is our latest effort to provide updated, user-friendly guidance to help
schools identify, resolve and prevent indoor air quality problems, using
low- and no-cost measures."
The mobile app provides schools and school districts with an efficient,
innovative technology integrated with proven strategies for addressing
critical building-related environmental health issues such as ventilation,
cleaning and maintenance, environmental asthma triggers, radon, and
integrated pest management. Schools that want to develop, sustain or
reinvigorate their IAQ management programs can use this tool to identify
and prioritize IAQ improvements. The School IAQ Assessment mobile app
complements existing IAQ management programs and can become the central
tracking mechanism schools and districts use to organize building
assessments and prioritize IAQ improvements.
Today, half of the schools in the United States have adopted IAQ management
programs, the majority of which are based on EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools
guidance. EPA developed the mobile app to help these schools more
efficiently carry out their IAQ management programs and to help the
remaining nearly 60,000 schools to conduct regular and thorough assessments
to ensure their schools are safe and productive places to learn.
How It Works
• DOWNLOAD: Go to www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/iaq_schools_mobile_app and
initiate the app on your Apple or Android smart device. Access the How to
Get Started section to review the set-up options, intent and capabilities
of the app.
• ASSESS: Conduct a walkthrough of your school buildings using a set of
easy-to-follow checklists — all you need is an Internet connection. Then,
submit your completed checklists via email to a designated IAQ coordinator
for review and follow-up action. You can also attach photos and detailed
notes about the assessed area in your completed checklist submission.
• DISCOVER: The completed checklists will identify IAQ concerns and
validate good IAQ practices already in place. Checklists are provided to
your designated IAQ Coordinator with recommended action steps generated by
the app to address identified IAQ problems. Recommendations are based on
the Framework for Effective IAQ Management for comprehensively addressing
IAQ.
• LEARN MORE: The mobile app includes other valuable resources from the IAQ
Tools for Schools Action Kit, such as information on radon and asthma
management in schools, as well as, EPA's newest guidance – Energy Savings
Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building Upgrades,
which integrates IAQ protections into school energy retrofits and other
building projects.
Visit http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/iaq_schools_mobile_app/ to download
the new mobile app and www.epa.gov/schools for other valuable school
environmental health resources
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
News Clippings 8/12/15
State
The Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain Director Spoke at Biloxi
Rotary Club Today
WXXV
The Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain is a member supported
non-profit organization that serves to protect the six coastal counties'
natural lands, scenic areas, fresh water resources, and wildlife habitat.
Director Judy Steckler was a featured speaker at today's Biloxi Rotary Club
meeting.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/The-Land-Trust-for-the-Mississippi-Coastal-Plain/l4Q9YjPuIky-Yz_nY1W3tQ.cspx
Oil Spill
Jackson County entities receiving checks this week from BP settlements,
some have plans for money
Mississippi Press
Warren Kulo
August 11, 2015 at 4:45 PM
JACKSON COUNTY, Mississippi -- Jackson County's government and school
entities are receiving their checks from the recently announced BP
settlements this week, attorney Robert Wilkinson said Tuesday.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/08/jackson_county_entities_receiv.html#incart_river
BP-Funded Center Vacuums Up Petabytes of Data on Gulf Oil Spill
Bloomberg
Oil wasn't the only thing that gushed after a well operated by BP Plc
exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. There was also a fountain of research.
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-08-12/bp-funded-center-vacuums-up-petabytes-of-data-on-gulf-oil-spill
Regional
Florida Leads Multistate Suit to Block EPA Air Quality Rules
Bloomberg
Florida sued to block a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that
would require 35 states to take additional steps to cut carbon emissions
from power plants.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-11/epa-air-quality-rules-challenged-by-states-led-by-florida
Kentucky joins in challenging EPA power plant rules
AP
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky has joined several other states in a legal
challenge against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its power
plant regulations.
http://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/kentucky-joins-in-challenging-epa-power-plant-rule/51525/n3rsBVp1DEibBG7UwRN73A
New Orleans' future depends on coastal restoration, but where's the money?
Times-Picayune
The finalists among the slogan contest run by the Dirty Coast clothing
store to commemorate Hurricane Katrina's anniversary sum up the hopes of
many South Louisiana residents: "Keep Land in Our Wetlands," "Save the
Boot," "The World Needs More Louisiana," "Let The River Run Through It,"
"Greaux the Delta, Greaux Our Home."
http://www.nola.com/futureofneworleans/2015/08/coastal_restoration_wheres_the.html#incart_river
National
EPA confident in climate rule's future
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is confident that neither a
federal court nor a future president could overturn its landmark climate
rule for power plants.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/250858-epa-confident-in-climate-rules-future
EPA working on fix for mercury emissions rule
Detroit News
Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency says by April it
will have developed a plan for how to account for compliance costs
in its regulations for mercury emissions from coal-fired power
plants, as required by a recent Supreme Court ruling.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2015/08/11/epa-mercury-emissions-rule-fix/31492053/
Chamber ramping up attacks on ozone rule
The Hill
The business lobby is ramping up efforts to sack a controversial air
pollution rule from the Obama administration.
http://thehill.com/regulation/energy-environment/250844-chamber-ramping-up-attacks-on-ozone-rule
Court accuses EPA of 'filibustering' on pesticide safety
The Hill
A federal court scolded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for
continually delaying a formal response to a request that it restrict a
pesticide's use.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/250822-court-accuses-epa-of-filibustering-on-pesticide-safety
EPA Chief Apologizes as Anger Mounts
WSJ
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy apologized
Tuesday for a mine spill in Colorado that her agency caused last week and
planned to travel to the area Wednesday, amid increasing criticism from
lawmakers about the EPA's response.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-chief-apologizes-for-toxic-spill-affecting-rivers-in-colorado-new-mexico-1439321379
New regs for Wednesday: Oil and gas, nuclear, Head Start
The Hill
Wednesday's edition of the Federal Register contains new performance
standards for oil and gas operations, fitness-for-duty requirements for
nuclear construction sites, and rules for determining the environmental
impact of nuclear reactor accidents.
http://thehill.com/regulation/250816-new-regs-for-wednesday-oil-and-gas-nuclear-head-start
Opinion
Mine Busters at the EPA
Who you gonna call when the green police unleash a toxic river?
WSJ
'Ghostbusters" has been playing again on cable, so we are reminded that the
villain of that movie classic was a bully from the Environmental Protection
Agency. He broke the ghost-containment grid and all hell broke loose. So
who you gonna call today when the E-men dump three million gallons of toxic
slurry down the rivers of the West?
http://www.wsj.com/articles/mine-busters-at-the-epa-1439336495
The Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain Director Spoke at Biloxi
Rotary Club Today
WXXV
The Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain is a member supported
non-profit organization that serves to protect the six coastal counties'
natural lands, scenic areas, fresh water resources, and wildlife habitat.
Director Judy Steckler was a featured speaker at today's Biloxi Rotary Club
meeting.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/The-Land-Trust-for-the-Mississippi-Coastal-Plain/l4Q9YjPuIky-Yz_nY1W3tQ.cspx
Oil Spill
Jackson County entities receiving checks this week from BP settlements,
some have plans for money
Mississippi Press
Warren Kulo
August 11, 2015 at 4:45 PM
JACKSON COUNTY, Mississippi -- Jackson County's government and school
entities are receiving their checks from the recently announced BP
settlements this week, attorney Robert Wilkinson said Tuesday.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/08/jackson_county_entities_receiv.html#incart_river
BP-Funded Center Vacuums Up Petabytes of Data on Gulf Oil Spill
Bloomberg
Oil wasn't the only thing that gushed after a well operated by BP Plc
exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. There was also a fountain of research.
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-08-12/bp-funded-center-vacuums-up-petabytes-of-data-on-gulf-oil-spill
Regional
Florida Leads Multistate Suit to Block EPA Air Quality Rules
Bloomberg
Florida sued to block a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that
would require 35 states to take additional steps to cut carbon emissions
from power plants.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-11/epa-air-quality-rules-challenged-by-states-led-by-florida
Kentucky joins in challenging EPA power plant rules
AP
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky has joined several other states in a legal
challenge against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its power
plant regulations.
http://www.wtvq.com/story/d/story/kentucky-joins-in-challenging-epa-power-plant-rule/51525/n3rsBVp1DEibBG7UwRN73A
New Orleans' future depends on coastal restoration, but where's the money?
Times-Picayune
The finalists among the slogan contest run by the Dirty Coast clothing
store to commemorate Hurricane Katrina's anniversary sum up the hopes of
many South Louisiana residents: "Keep Land in Our Wetlands," "Save the
Boot," "The World Needs More Louisiana," "Let The River Run Through It,"
"Greaux the Delta, Greaux Our Home."
http://www.nola.com/futureofneworleans/2015/08/coastal_restoration_wheres_the.html#incart_river
National
EPA confident in climate rule's future
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is confident that neither a
federal court nor a future president could overturn its landmark climate
rule for power plants.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/250858-epa-confident-in-climate-rules-future
EPA working on fix for mercury emissions rule
Detroit News
Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency says by April it
will have developed a plan for how to account for compliance costs
in its regulations for mercury emissions from coal-fired power
plants, as required by a recent Supreme Court ruling.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2015/08/11/epa-mercury-emissions-rule-fix/31492053/
Chamber ramping up attacks on ozone rule
The Hill
The business lobby is ramping up efforts to sack a controversial air
pollution rule from the Obama administration.
http://thehill.com/regulation/energy-environment/250844-chamber-ramping-up-attacks-on-ozone-rule
Court accuses EPA of 'filibustering' on pesticide safety
The Hill
A federal court scolded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for
continually delaying a formal response to a request that it restrict a
pesticide's use.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/250822-court-accuses-epa-of-filibustering-on-pesticide-safety
EPA Chief Apologizes as Anger Mounts
WSJ
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy apologized
Tuesday for a mine spill in Colorado that her agency caused last week and
planned to travel to the area Wednesday, amid increasing criticism from
lawmakers about the EPA's response.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-chief-apologizes-for-toxic-spill-affecting-rivers-in-colorado-new-mexico-1439321379
New regs for Wednesday: Oil and gas, nuclear, Head Start
The Hill
Wednesday's edition of the Federal Register contains new performance
standards for oil and gas operations, fitness-for-duty requirements for
nuclear construction sites, and rules for determining the environmental
impact of nuclear reactor accidents.
http://thehill.com/regulation/250816-new-regs-for-wednesday-oil-and-gas-nuclear-head-start
Opinion
Mine Busters at the EPA
Who you gonna call when the green police unleash a toxic river?
WSJ
'Ghostbusters" has been playing again on cable, so we are reminded that the
villain of that movie classic was a bully from the Environmental Protection
Agency. He broke the ghost-containment grid and all hell broke loose. So
who you gonna call today when the E-men dump three million gallons of toxic
slurry down the rivers of the West?
http://www.wsj.com/articles/mine-busters-at-the-epa-1439336495
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