State
Update: Man in critical condition, loses leg from apparent flesh-eating virus
Sea Coast Echo
Baton Rouge man is in critical condition at Hancock Medical Center after reportedly contracting a flesh-eating virus while on vacation in Waveland over the weekend.
http://www.seacoastecho.com/article_9943.shtml#.V3upWPmU2Uk
Flesh-eating bacteria scare along Gulf Coast has locals on alert
The Guardian
At the peak of the summer vacation season, a flesh-eating bacteria has infected the shores of the Gulf Coast.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/04/flesh-eating-bacteria-vibrio-vulnificus-gulf-coast
Oil spill cleanup underway in Covington County
WJTV
COLLINS, Miss. (WJTV) — Officials are in Covington County working to clean up an oil spill.
http://wjtv.com/2016/07/04/oil-spill-cleanup-underway-in-covington-county/
STATE BALANCING ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT FOR GULF COAST ISLAND
MPB
An island off Mississippi's Gulf Coast under state protection is being eyed as a way to attract more visitors. As MPB's Mark Rigsby reports, officials are weighing tourism dollars and protecting the environment.
Least Tern sanctuary declared in Waveland
Sea Coast Echo
Some beach-goers in Waveland this holiday may have to "turn" in a different direction as a newly-discovered bird sanctuary will be protected by security guards.
http://www.seacoastecho.com/article_9948.shtml#.V3upX_mU2Uk
Research meets recreation at Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo
WLOX
GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -While most people are enjoying the rides, food and prize catches at the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, there’s also science happening.
Sharks of the Gulf: Mississippi Sound is perfect summer home
Sun Herald
The mere mention of sharks is enough for some people to start playing the theme music from the movie “Jaws” inside their heads.
http://www.sunherald.com/latest-news/article87398857.html
Study: Mississippi children see highest lead level increase
Clarion Ledger
Children in Mississippi have higher levels of lead in their blood than they did six years ago, according to a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics. The Mississippi State Health Department refutes this data, suggesting children's blood lead levels have gone down over the past several years.
Miss. Power faces suit over Kemper plant
AP
JACKSON — A company that had planned to buy carbon dioxide from Mississippi Power Co.’s Kemper County power plant has sued, alleging the utility misled it into building a $100 million pipeline.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/07/04/miss-power-faces-suit-kemper-plant/86691932/
A Model for ‘Clean Coal’
Runs Off the Tracks
A Mississippi project, a centerpiece of President Obama’s climate plan, has been plagued by
problems that managers tried to conceal, and by cost overruns and questions of who will pay.
NY Times
DE KALB, Miss. — The fortress of steel and concrete towering above the pine forest here is a first-of-its-kind power plant that was supposed to prove that “clean coal” was not an oxymoron — that it was possible to produce electricity from coal in a way that emits far less pollution, and to turn a profit while doing so.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/science/kemper-coal-mississippi.html?_r=0
Regional
EPA looking for ways to help communities struggling to eliminate pollution problems
The Advocate
With the deadline for public comment approaching, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was in Baton Rouge last week to explain a plan designed to have environmental justice concerns included in federal work.
EPA finds sulfur dioxide levels too high in St. Bernard Parish
AP
BATON ROUGE, La. —St. Bernard Parish is the only parish in Louisiana not meeting federal sulfur dioxide pollution standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
National
States sue EPA over carbon rule for new power plants
The Hill
A coalition of conservative states is again suing to stop President Obama’s carbon dioxide rule for newly built power plants.
Exxon gets boost in climate fight
The Hill
Exxon Mobil Corp. and its allies are finally starting to pick up wins in the fight over the company's history with climate change.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/286335-exxon-gets-boost-in-climate-fight
New regs for Tuesday: Fireworks, forests, energy
The Hill
Forests: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not regulate forest roads.
The EPA was considering new restrictions on storm water discharges from forest roads, but announced Friday it will not issue these rules.
“Forest roads regulation presents a number of challenges that make achievement of that result unlikely,” the EPA said. "Wide variations in topography, climate, ownership, management, and use across the nation’s network of forest roads make the establishment of any nationwide regulatory program a complex and difficult endeavor."
The decision goes into effect on July 11.
http://thehill.com/regulation/286242-new-regs-for-tuesday-fireworks-forests-energy
Opinion
Those BP millions are meant for the Coast
Sun Herald
We’ll never get tired of saying this.
The Deepwater Horizon disaster occurred off the Coast. When oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico, the damage was widespread. All the Gulf states took a hit. But it never reached Jackson.
http://www.sunherald.com/opinion/editorials/article87232397.html
