State
Jackson finally awards sludge-hauling contract
Clarion Ledger
Three's the magic number.
On a split vote Tuesday, the Jackson City Council directed a sludge-hauling
contract to a company that had been recommended by Mayor Tony Yarber's
administration, following the administration's two failed attempts at
passage.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2016/05/18/jackson-awards-sludge-contract-despite-derailing-attempts/84536868/
City Council agrees to land lease for spray fields
Hattiesburg American
The City of Hattiesburg has officially acquired the first parcel of land
intended for use as spray fields in the city's proposed land-based
wastewater treatment system.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2016/05/17/city-council-agrees-land-lease-spray-fields/84456800/
Action Report: Environmental laws cause issues for homeowners
WLOX
GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -Blocked drains in the Ducksworth Pond subdivision
bring fear whenever a heavy rain hits, but the barriers were put there on
purpose by the contractor building this neighborhood, and it's perfectly
legal.
… Gulfport Public Works Director Wayne Miller said the mandatory straw
barriers are removed once construction is complete and grass is established
to keep dirt from running down the drains. He said the inlet protection is
required by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and is part
of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.
http://www.wdam.com/story/32006883/action-report-environmental-laws-cause-issues-for-homeowners
Appeals court upholds ruling on Hattiesburg case
Hattiesburg American
The City of Hattiesburg once again has been determined at fault in a breach
of contract issue, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
…A restricted use order at the Hercules site that the city had not cleared
through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2016/05/18/appeals-court-upholds-ruling-hattiesburg-case/84552742/
Board amends contracts for engineer, consultant
Vicksburg Post
A Jackson engineering company already involved with work at the city's
Wastewater Treatment Plant on Rifle Range Road will prepare the engineering
and design to replace a primary clarifier that popped out of the ground at
the plant earlier this year.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2016/05/18/board-amends-contracts-for-engineer-consultant/
Supes want to sell dud park
Madison County Journal
The uncompleted Sulphur Springs Park lake project which has cost Madison
County taxpayers $2.2 million may soon go on the market for sale.
http://www.onlinemadison.com/Content/Default/Rotator/Article/Supes-want-to-sell-dud-park/-3/593/37980
Area officials learn more about project to expand renewable energy
WTVA
WINONA, Miss. (WTVA) -- A proposed multi-million dollar project would share
renewable energy from Texas with the Southeast.
http://www.wtva.com/news/Area_officials_learn_more_about_project_to_expand_renewable_energy.html
Pascagoula garbage contract in question over possible overcharging
Mississippi Press
PASCAGOULA, Miss. — An overbilling issue regarding garbage collection
services for residents of Pascagoula was brought forward at Tuesday's city
council meeting, but was tabled because the city is working to find out
exactly how much money is involved and how it can resolve the issue.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2016/05/pascagoula_garbage_contract_in.html#incart_river_index
Keep Monroe County Beautiful sets luncheon date
Monroe Journal
ABERDEEN – The annual Keep Monroe County Beautiful luncheon will be held at
American Legion Post 26 May 18 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
http://monroecountyjournal.com/2016/05/17/keep-monroe-county-beautiful-sets-luncheon-date/
Walking in Walter Anderson's footsteps on Horn Island
Sun Herald
I wouldn't call Horn Island "welcoming," exactly. It has a bit of a
post-apocalyptic, sci-fi feel to it, out on the edge of existence.
http://www.sunherald.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article78512002.html
Bay St. Louis, other cities show population increase
Sun Herald
Bay St. Louis is the second fastest-growing municipality in Mississippi,
according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Census.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/article78567467.html
Oil Spill
Local attorney pleads in BP fraud case
Oxford Eagle
An Oxford attorney pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges Monday
afternoon at the Federal Courthouse in Oxford.
http://www.oxfordeagle.com/2016/05/16/local-attorney-pleads-in-bp-fraud-case/
National
House committee votes to delay ozone rule
The Hill
A House committee on Wednesday passed a bill to delay the Obama
administration's new ozone pollution rule and change the way the federal
government writes future air pollution rules.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/280363-house-committee-votes-to-delay-ozone-rule
EPA Proposes Requiring More Ethanol in Gasoline in 2017
Rule would bring U.S. closer to goal set out in 2007 law
WSJ
WASHINGTON—Federal regulators proposed Wednesday raising the amount of
ethanol that refineries must blend into the nation's gasoline supply,
providing a boost to ethanol companies and drawing the ire of the oil
industry, which opposes higher levels.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-proposes-requiring-700-million-gallons-more-of-ethanol-in-gasoline-in-2017-1463597661
USDA wants to persuade farmers to mitigate climate change
May 12, 2016Farm Press Staff | Southeast Farm Press
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shared May 12 the first results of USDA's
Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry, one year after
the plan was unveiled at Michigan State University.
http://southeastfarmpress.com/soybeans/usda-wants-persuade-farmers-mitigate-climate-change
Congress poised to pass sweeping reform of chemical law
Washington Post
Congress is on the cusp of passing the most sweeping overhaul of U.S.
chemical safety laws in 40 years, a rare bipartisan accord that has won the
backing of both industry officials and some of the Hill's most liberal
lawmakers.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress-poised-to-pass-sweeping-reform-of-chemical-law/2016/05/18/0da5cd22-1d30-11e6-9c81-4be1c14fb8c8_story.html
EPA Backs Draft Bill to Amend Chemicals Law
Bloomberg
Draft legislation the Environmental Protection Agency has seen that would
amend the Toxic Substances Control Act "is a clear improvement over current
law," an agency spokesman told Bloomberg BNA late May 17.
http://www.bna.com/epa-backs-draft-n57982072643/
EPA Denies Reconsideration of Brick Industry Air Standards
Bloomberg
The Environmental Protection Agency has rejected industry requests to
reconsider hazardous air pollutant standards covering the brick
manufacturing industry.
http://www.bna.com/epa-denies-reconsideration-n57982072578/
Federal worker caught pawning government cameras kept her job
Cox Media Group Washington News Bureau
Pawning government-owned property multiple times may get you a felony
conviction and three years of probation, but it may get you fired from the
Environmental Protection Agency.
An EPA employee in Atlanta caught pawning seven digital cameras in 2012 was
able to keep her job after serving a 30-day suspension.
http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/national/federal-worker-caught-pawning-government-cameras-k/nrPwF/
GOP lawmakers: EPA employee misconduct isn't getting better
The Hill
House Republicans grilled officials from the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Wednesday, saying the agency's response to employee misconduct
has not improved the situation.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/280341-gop-lawmakers-epa-employee-misconduct-isnt-getting-better
Opinion
EPA employees on hearing agenda, but that's not all
Washington Post
Reading Assistant Inspector General Patrick Sullivan's full statement to a
House hearing might give the impression that the Environmental Protection
Agency is a rogue's gallery of cheats, thieves and reprobates.
The session also had a not so hidden agenda.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/05/19/epa-employees-on-hearing-agenda-but-thats-not-all/
Press Releases
The Conservation Fund and Park Pride Awarded 2016 EPA Region 4 Rain Catcher
Award
Contact Information: Dawn Harris Young, EPA, (404) 562-8421 (Direct), (404)
562-8400 (Main), harris-young.dawn@epa.gov
ATLANTA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized The
Conservation Fund and Park Pride with the regional 2016 EPA Rain Catcher
Award in the Neighborhood/Community Category for the Lindsay Street Park
project in Atlanta, Georgia. The award was given at a ceremony during the
EPA Region 4/International Erosion Control Association Municipal Wet
Weather Stormwater Conference, in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Lindsey Street Park project involves the creation of a new greenspace
through a community-driven process that focuses on environmental, economic
and social justice outcomes that support a healthier and more vibrant
neighborhood for area residents. Green infrastructure (GI) features in the
park include a large bioswale and a series of rain gardens that help to
capture, slow and clean stormwater runoff before it reaches the small
tributary that runs across the park site. The new greenspace, and all GI
components, were built in part by local residents who participated in a
paid workforce training program. The project involved more than 30
partners, including grassroots organizations such as Community Improvement
Association, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and the Proctor Creek
Stewardship Council. The Lindsey Street Park is a new greenspace serving as
the first park in the English Avenue neighborhood in northwest Atlanta.
The EPA Region 4 Rain Catcher Award recognizes excellence in the
implementation of stormwater GI practices. GI uses natural systems and/or
engineered systems designed to mimic natural processes to more effectively
manage stormwater and reduce receiving water impacts. EPA and its partner
organizations have promoted the use of GI for many years as part of a
comprehensive approach to achieving healthier waters. GI reduces the volume
of stormwater discharges by managing rainwater close to where it falls and
removes many of the pollutants present in runoff, making it an effective
strategy for addressing wet weather pollution and improving water quality.
Additional information on the Lindsay Street Park project can be found at:
http://www.conservationfund.org/projects/lindsay-street-park
EPA Proposes Increase in Renewable Fuel Levels
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed
increases in renewable fuel volume requirements across all types of
biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The proposed
increases would boost renewable fuel production and provide for ambitious
yet achievable growth.
"The Renewable Fuel Standards program is a success story that has driven
biofuel production and use in the U.S. to levels higher than any other
nation," said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office
of Air and Radiation. "This administration is committed to keeping the RFS
program on track, spurring continued growth in biofuel production and use,
and achieving the climate and energy independence benefits that Congress
envisioned from this program."
The proposed volumes would represent growth over historic levels:
· Total renewable fuel volumes would grow by nearly 700 million gallons
between 2016 and 2017.
· Advanced renewable fuel — which requires 50 percent lifecycle carbon
emissions reductions — would grow by nearly 400 million gallons
between 2016 and 2017.
· The non-advanced or "conventional" fuels portion of total renewable
fuels — which requires a minimum of 20 percent lifecycle carbon
emissions reductions — would increase by 300 million gallons between
2016 and 2017 and achieve 99 percent of the Congressional target of
15 billion gallons.
· Biomass-based biodiesel — which must achieve at least 50 percent
lifecycle emissions reductions — would grow by 100 million gallons
between 2017 and 2018.
· Cellulosic biofuel — which requires 60 percent lifecycle carbon
emissions reductions — would grow by 82 million gallons, or 35
percent, between 2016 and 2017.
Renewable Fuel Volume Requirements for 2014-2018
| | | | |
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018
---------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------
| | | | |
Cellulosic biofuel (million | 33 | 123 | 230 | 312* | n/a
gallons) | | | | |
---------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------
| | | | |
Biomass-based diesel (billion | 1.63 | 1.73 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.1*
gallons) | | | | |
---------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------
| | | | |
Advanced biofuel (billion | 2.67 | 2.88 | 3.61 | 4.0* | n/a
gallons) | | | | |
---------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------
| | | | |
Renewable fuel (billion gallons) | 16.28 | 16.93 | 18.11 | 18.8* | n/a
*Proposed Volume Requirements
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set annual RFS volume requirements for
four categories of biofuels. By displacing fossil fuels, biofuels help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help strengthen energy security. EPA is
proposing to use the tools provided by Congress to adjust the standards
below the statutory targets, but the steadily increasing volumes in the
proposal continue to support Congress's intent to grow the volumes of these
important fuels that are part of the nation's overall strategy to enhance
energy security and address climate change. EPA implements the program in
consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S.
Department of Energy.
EPA will hold a public hearing on this proposal on June 9, 2016, in Kansas
City, Mo. The period for public input and comment will open until July 11.
For more information on today's announcement, go to:
http://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/proposed-renewable-fuel-standards-2017-and-biomass-based-diesel
.
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| USDA Announces $21 Million Available For Bioeconomy Research and Development |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
|WASHINGTON, May 18, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced |
|the availability of $21 million to support the development of regional systems in |
|sustainable bioenergy and biobased products, as well as education and training for the |
|next generation of scientists that will expand availability of renewable, sustainable |
|goods and energy. This funding is available through the Agriculture and Food Research |
|Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and administered by USDA's National|
|Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). |
| |
| |
|"This announcement marks the Obama Administration's latest investment in the biobased |
|economy, which pumps $369 billion into the U.S. economy each year and supports 4 |
|million jobs in rural and small towns across the United States. Over the course of this|
|Administration, America has more than doubled our renewable energy production, and |
|today we import less than half our oil. We are saving money at the pump, bolstering |
|national security by relying less on foreign oil, and combatting climate change with |
|investments in technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide for |
|cleaner air," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Today's investment into regional|
|production systems and the development of our next generation of scientists will have a|
|direct impact on local economies now and set us up for a brighter, more innovative |
|future." |
| |
| |
|Established by the 2008 Farm Bill and re-authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill, AFRI is the |
|nation's premier competitive, peer-reviewed grants program for fundamental and applied |
|agricultural sciences. In the seven years since AFRI was established, the program has |
|led to true innovations and ground-breaking discoveries in agriculture to combat |
|childhood obesity, improve and sustain rural economic growth, address water |
|availability issues, increase food production, find new sources of energy, mitigate the|
|impacts of climate variability and enhance resiliency of our food systems, and ensure |
|food safety. This round of funding is offered through the AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy |
|and Bioproducts challenge area, which creates or sustains jobs by enhancing existing |
|food and fiber production systems, boosts ecosystems by reducing greenhouse gases and |
|improving water and habitat quality, and provides renewable energy, chemical, and |
|product options. |
| |
| |
|In fiscal year 2016, the Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts challenge area is |
|soliciting applications that focus on the following priorities: |
| |
| |
| · Regional Bioenergy Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs), which support the |
| production and delivery of regionally-appropriate sustainable biomass feedstocks |
| for bioenergy and bioproducts. While the focus of CAPs will be on feedstocks, |
| competitive proposals must present the feedstock development and production in |
| the context of comprehensive regional sustainable bioenergy and bioproducts |
| supply chain systems. |
| |
| |
| · Investing in America's scientific corps: Preparing a new generation of students, |
| faculty, and a workforce for emerging opportunities in bioenergy, bioproducts, |
| and the bioeconomy. |
| |
| |
|To date, more than $237.2 million in research, education and extension grants have been|
|awarded through AFRI's Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts Challenge Area, which have|
|resulted in a number of outcomes in support of the bioeconomy. Alaska Airlines will be |
|able to use 1,000 gallons of biofuel produced by Washington State University's |
|Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) in a demonstration flight in the near |
|future. University of California-Davis researchers were able to map the genome of the |
|loblolly pine, a potential non-food source for biofuel. |
| |
| |
|Application deadlines vary by program area. See the request for applications for more |
|information. |
| |
| |
|Secretary Vilsack has recognized the biobased economy as one of the pillars that |
|strengthen rural communities, and as a result USDA helped jumpstart efforts to provide |
|a reliable supply of advanced plant materials for biofuels. Through our Biomass Crop |
|Assistance Program, for example, USDA is incentivizing more than 890 growers and |
|landowners farming nearly 49,000 acres to establish and produce dedicated, nonfood |
|energy crops for delivery to energy conversion facilities. To ensure those feedstocks |
|are put to use, USDA has invested in the work needed to create advanced biofuels |
|refineries. Under this Administration, USDA has supported efforts to build six new |
|biorefineries to produce advanced biofuels in Louisiana, Georgia, Oregon, Nevada, North|
|Carolina, and Iowa, in addition to three existing facilities in New Mexico, Michigan |
|and Florida previously supported. |
| |
| |
|USDA has also worked to strengthen markets for biobased products. Approximately 2,500 |
|products now carry USDA's BioPreferred label, which helps consumers make informed |
|decisions about their purchases, giving them assurances that their product was made |
|using renewable materials, such as plants or forestry materials. |
| |
| |
|Science funded by AFRI is vital to meeting food, fiber, and fuel demands as the world's|
|population is projected to exceed nine billion by 2050 and natural resources are |
|stressed under a changing climate. In addition, AFRI programs help develop new |
|technologies and a workforce that will advance our nutritional security, our energy |
|self-sufficiency, and the health of Americans. The President's 2017 budget request |
|proposed to fully fund AFRI for $700 million; this amount is the full funding level |
|authorized by Congress when it established AFRI in the 2008 Farm Bill. |
| |
| |
|Since 2009, NIFA has invested in and advanced innovative and transformative initiatives|
|to solve societal challenges and ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA's |
|integrated research, education, and extension programs, supporting the best and |
|brightest scientists and extension personnel, have resulted in user-inspired, |
|groundbreaking discoveries. To learn more about NIFA's impact on agricultural science, |
|visit www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts, sign up for email updates, or follow us on Twitter |
|@usda_NIFA, #NIFAimpacts. |
| |
| |
|# |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
