State
Results Should Be Available Soon For Latest Round Of TCE Sampling
North Mississippi Herald
WATER VALLEY – Another round of testing was completed last month for the decades-old chemical release site at the former Colt Industries/Holley Carbure-tor facility. The work was performed by EnPro Industries, the company that acquired liability for the contamination for the site in 2002.
Sampling For Contaminants
North Mississippi Herald
Last's months ground water sampling by EnPro Industries included the addition of several new wells to track the movement of trichloroethylene in the ground water. The contamination does not affect the drinking water because there are no drinking wells in the area. The results from last month's testing should be available soon.
Photo
http://yalnews.com/295/1175/1/home
MDEQ lifts last two swimming warnings for Mississippi Sound
WLOX
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) -There are now no swimming warnings for the Mississippi Sound. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality lifted the last two water contact advisories Wednesday afternoon.
http://www.wdam.com/story/33610764/mdeq-lifts-last-two-swimming-warnings-for-mississippi-sound
Continental Tire hires Ga. company for site clearing
Clarion Ledger
Continental Tire hired a Mississippi company to coordinate its Hinds County groundbreaking event Thursday, but not for the multi-million dollar site clearing and grubbing contract.
The Ross Barnett Reservoir still has plenty of water
WLBT
Water discharge from the Ross Barnett Reservoir is being maintained at low levels, with no significant rain in weeks and none in the immediate forecast.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/33618773/the-ross-barnett-reservoir-still-has-plenty-of-water
Several problems found in CMU sewer lines
Madison County Journal
CANTON — Rosie and Anderson Walker said they have been dealing with raw sewage backing up in their home and yard at 723 James Street here for nearly two decades. http://onlinemadison.com/Content/Default/News/Article/Several-problems-found-in-CMU-sewer-lines/-3/592/38824
Federal money to boost Baldwyn sewer system
Daily Journal
BALDWYN – The city of Baldwyn will soon begin a major upgrade of its sewer system, thanks to $8.8 million in federal funding.
http://djournal.com/news/federal-money-boost-baldwyn-sewer-system/
Turning dirt may cost more for developers
Oxford Eagle
Developers building commercial or multi-unit projects may soon pay more to turn dirt when their sites are being prepared for construction.
http://www.oxfordeagle.com/2016/11/02/turning-dirt-may-cost-more-for-developers/
Community college to offer bass fishing scholarship
Clarion Ledger
Collegiate bass fishing has reached a new level in Mississippi with the recent announcement of the Gene M. Tilghman Gone Fishing Scholarship at Itawamba Community College.
What's Working: Helping the Bees
WJTV
RAYMOND, Miss. (WJTV) – If you enjoy fruits, nuts and flowers you should be thankful for bees.
http://wjtv.com/2016/11/02/whats-working-helping-the-bees/
MS Poultry Association donates to local charities
WJTV
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) — The season for giving is right around the corner, and the Mississippi Poultry Association along with Gov. Phil Bryant is starting a little early.
http://wjtv.com/2016/11/02/ms-poultry-association-donates-chicken-eggs-to-charity/
Oil Spill
Wildlife & Fisheries spent less BP money than it had access to, former secretary's attorney says
Times-Picayune
An attorney for former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham sent a vigorous defense to the state's Legislative auditor Tuesday arguing that no significant money was wasted by the agency in the months following 2010's Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
http://www.nola.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2016/11/wildlife_fisheries_spent_less.html
Other views: On audits and BP oil money
AP
The draft of an audit report to be released this month questions the state's spending on a fish-testing program after the BP oil spill in 2010.
http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/opinion/2016/11/02/other-views-audits-and-bp-oil-money/93165328/
Regional
New rules set by Georgia EPD for coal ash disposal and storage
New rules adopted by Georgia EPD for disposal of plant's waste
Albany Herald
ALBANY — On Oct. 26, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division released amendments to the rules for solid waste management adopted by the state as it pertains to the final storage and disposal of coal ash, an industrial waste produced by coal-burning power plants.
State: Little Pigeon water safer
Knoxville News Sentinel
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has lifted a 23-year-old water contact advisory for the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River in Sevier County.
Cutting holes in levees has created more land than expected south of Venice
Times-Picayune
There aren't many state projects that come in under budget and over-deliver, but the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is touting one that should have every resident excited about large-scale sediment diversions that will be installed in Plaquemines Parish in the next decade.
National
Big Question on Climate Crisis: How to Inspire Innovation
NY Times
HAMBURG, Germany — On the edge of this northern German port city, the industrial giant Siemens is testing a way to offset the erratic nature of renewable power, by storing energy in hot rocks.
Oil majors join forces in climate push with renewable energy fund
Reuters
Top oil companies including Saudi Aramco and Shell are joining forces to create an investment fund to develop technologies to promote renewable energy, as they seek an active role in the fight against global warming, sources said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-climatechange-idUSKBN12X0WA
U.S. vehicle fuel efficiency hits record high -EPA
Reuters
The fuel efficiency of new U.S. vehicles hit a record high in 2015 even as more Americans bought larger trucks and SUVs instead of cars, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Wednesday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/autos-efficiency-idUSL1N1D30KS
New regs for Thursday: Nuclear, petroleum, airlines
The Hill
Petroleum: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is delaying new petroleum rules.
The EPA last month proposed to reconsider portions of the national emission standard for petroleum companies, but is now extending the comment period to give the public more time to discuss the changes.
The public now has until Dec. 19 to comment.
Nuclear: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is drafting new safety guidelines for nuclear power plants.
The guidelines suggest methods to "demonstrate that a nuclear power plant is safe for restarting after a shutdown caused by a seismic event," the agency said.
The public has 60 days to comment.
http://thehill.com/regulation/303945-new-regs-for-thursday-nuclear-petroleum-airlines
Press releases
Automakers Outperform Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for 4th Consecutive Year
Average fuel economy reaches record 24.8 miles per gallon
WASHINGTON – Passenger vehicles achieved record-high fuel economy while outperforming greenhouse gas emission standards in model year 2015, according to two reports released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The GHG Manufacturer Performance Report for 2015 Model Year finds automakers went beyond the model year (MY) 2015 standards by an average 7 grams of CO2 per mile, equivalent to 0.9 miles per gallon (mpg), even as the fleet-wide standard became more stringent by 13 grams of CO2 per mile. All large manufacturers have met the standards through MY 2015.
According to the 2016 CO2 and Fuel Economy Trends Report, MY 2015 vehicles' fuel economy increased by 0.5 mpg to a record 24.8 mpg, with improvements across all vehicle types – including passenger cars, SUVs, vans and minivans, and light duty pickup trucks. Since 2011, the year before the national Greenhouse Gas and Fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles took effect, fuel economy has increased by 2.4 mpg, and CO2 emissions per mile traveled have decreased by 10 percent.
"Car buyers can go to the showroom knowing that no matter what kind of vehicle they buy, it will be better for the climate – and their wallets – than ever before," said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. "This report highlights that the industry is providing vehicles that customers want, while reaching new levels of environmental performance."
The automotive industry has seen six consecutive years of sales increases and a new all-time sales record in 2015, reflecting positive consumer response to vehicles complying with the standards. Automakers have been rapidly adopting fuel-efficient technologies like turbo charging, engine downsizing, more sophisticated transmissions, vehicle weight reduction, aerodynamics and idle stop-start, along with improved accessories and air conditioning systems. More than 100 MY 2016 vehicles on the market today already meet the 2020 standards.
EPA estimates that, through today, the GHG emissions standards have slashed almost 130 million metric tons of CO2 – roughly the amount of GHGs emitted from the electricity use in about 20 million homes for one year. The National Program – which set coordinated regulations on fuel economy and GHG emissions between the EPA, the Department of Transportation and the California Air Resources Board – establishes separate footprint-based standards for passenger cars and light trucks. A manufacturer's compliance obligations depend on the mix of vehicles that it produces for sale in each model year. This approach ensures that consumers can continue to choose from the full range of fuel-efficient vehicles on the market, while these vehicles are improving efficiency and reducing emissions.
Read the GHG Manufacturer Performance Report for 2015 Model Year: https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/greenhouse-gas-ghg-emission-standards-light-duty-0
Read the 2016 Fuel Economy Trends Report: www.epa.gov/fuel-economy/trends-report
More information on Light Duty Vehicle Standards:
https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/regulations-greenhouse-gas-emissions-passenger-cars
Nov 02 2016
COCHRAN: BALDWYN TO RECEIVE $8.8 MILLION FOR WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced that the City of Baldwyn will receive $8.8 million in federal funding to restore and upgrade its wastewater system.
The $3.19 million grant and a $5.6 million loan to the Lee and Prentiss County community is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Water & Environmental Programs (WEP).
"This infrastructure investment can help improve quality of life and economic development opportunities for people in the Baldwyn area. I'm pleased that the USDA recognizes the value of this funding in northeast Mississippi and throughout the state," said Cochran.
WEP grant and loan awards are designed to assist communities of 10,000 or fewer residents address infrastructure needs by a providing technical assistance and financing to develop or improve drinking water and waste disposal systems.
Earlier this year, the USDA announced $4.17 million in additional Rural Development grants and loans to Mississippi communities, including a $2 million loan to benefit rebuilding of the Winston County Medical Center in Louisville.
Cochran is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and serves on the subcommittee with funding jurisdiction over the USDA and Rural Development. He is also the senior Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, which is tasked with setting USDA policy.
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