News Clippings 11/4/16

State

 

CATFISH FARMERS FEELING THE EFFECTS OF THE DROUGHT

WCBI

MACON, Miss. (WCBI)-Catfish is a major source of income for many area farmers, and one of the most important factors to consider in the industry is water quality.

http://www.wcbi.com/video-catfish-farmers-feeling-effects-drought/

 

Oil Spill

 

Worrisome plan for BP money emerges far from Mississippi Coast

Sun Herald

The assault continues on the Coast's share of BP money meant to right the economic damage inflicted by the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/article112328332.html

 

Regional

 

EPA grant means East Baton Rouge schools will replace 30 diesel buses with propane-fueled ones

Advocate

The EPA is giving the East Baton Rouge Parish school system $773,000 to replace 30 of its diesel school buses over the next two years with more eco-friendly propane-powered buses.

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/education/article_7b7f6518-a1da-11e6-b30f-6b9e2352182f.html?sr_source=lift_amplify

 

 National

 

EPA proposes expanded use of new herbicide, Enlist Duo

AP

KANSAS CITY, MO. 

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed more than doubling the number of states allowed to use a new version of a popular weed killer on genetically modified crops despite its earlier concerns.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article112315887.html

 

Vote on nation's first carbon tax divides greens

The Hill

An initiative to pass the first carbon tax in the country is dividing greens and spurring opposition from environmental groups who have long backed such proposals.

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/304268-vote-on-nations-first-carbon-tax-divides-greens

 

Paris climate accord takes effect, delivering win to Obama

The Hill

The Paris climate agreement took force on Friday, starting an ambitious, though largely non-binding, worldwide effort to fight climate change. 

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/304256-paris-climate-accord-takes-effect-delivering-policy-win-to-obama

 

White House unveils plans for electric vehicle charging stations

The Hill

The White House unveiled plans on Thursday to install 48 electric vehicle charging corridors on U.S. highways as part of the administration's push to boost electric car use.

http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/304156-white-house-unveils-plans-for-electric-vehicle-charging-stations

 

Press Releases

 

Public hearing on Speckled Trout set for Nov. 17

 

BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources will hold a public hearing on proposed Speckled Trout regulations Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016.

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. and will be in the auditorium on the first floor of the Bolton Building, 1141 Bayview Ave. in Biloxi.

The state Commission on Marine Resources in October passed a notice of intent for a change in the recreational size limit for Speckled Trout from 13 inches to 15 inches.

The proposed regulation will be up for final adoption at the Dec. 20 meeting of the CMR.

Also at the October meeting, commissioners passed a 2017 recreational season closure for Speckled Trout in January, February and March.

 

EPA Enforcement Actions Help Protect Vulnerable Communities from Lead-Based Paint Health Hazards 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced over 100 federal enforcement actions completed over the last year that require entities like renovation contractors, landlords and property managers to protect communities and public health from exposure to lead. Lead paint is the main way people are exposed to lead in the United States, and lead exposure can cause a range of health problems, from behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to seizures and death, putting young children and their developing nervous systems at the greatest risk.

"Renovation companies and their contractors must protect children and other vulnerable people from lead-based paint exposure, especially in minority and low-income communities where housing with lead-based paint is more common," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "These enforcement actions show that EPA will hold companies accountable when they put public health at risk, and they promote a level playing field for businesses that follow the rules."

From October 2015 through September 2016, EPA entered into 123 settlements for alleged violations of one or more of the three lead-based paint rules--the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule; the Lead Disclosure Rule; and the Lead-based Paint Activities Rule for abatements--and filed six complaints for ongoing actions. Each settlement requires that the alleged violator return to compliance and, in most cases, pay civil penalties. Collectively, the settlements require violators to pay $1,046,655 in penalties.

The three rules are part of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act and the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act and apply to housing built before 1978 and child-occupied facilities. Ensuring compliance with all three rules enables EPA to identify and address a variety of lead exposure risks that occur in communities across the nation. These risks can occur when lead paint deteriorates or is disrupted during home renovation and remodeling activities. A blood lead test is the only way to determine if a child has a high lead level. Parents who think their child has been in contact with lead dust should contact their child's health care provider.

In September 2016, EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement with Sears Home Improvement Products Inc. that resolves alleged violations of the Lead RRP Rule for work performed by Sears' contractors during home renovation projects across the country. Under the settlement, Sears will implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide program to ensure that the contractors it hires to perform work minimize lead dust from home renovation activities and pay a $400,000 civil penalty.

In three of the settlements, entities agreed to fund voluntary environmental projects collectively valued at up to $409,429 to address lead risks and poisoning. Every project requires lead-based paint abatement, including post-construction clearance testing to ensure that no hazards remain. The complaints propose penalties of up to $197,743 for alleged violations of the RRP Rule and/or Lead Disclosure Rule.

Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule Enforcement Action

Of the total settlements reported during fiscal year 2016, 116 cited alleged RRP Rule violations involving repair, renovation or painting projects where lead-based paint is disturbed. Approximately 63 percent of this year's cases alleged failure to obtain EPA certification and almost half cited non-compliance with requirements to ensure lead-safe work practices.

The following are highlights from settlements involving significant penalties and/or supplemental environmental projects:

• Hammer and Hand, Inc., located in Oregon, paid a $69,398 penalty for alleged RRP Rule work practice and recordkeeping violations.
• Clearview Home Improvements, located in California, paid a $58,450 fine for alleged noncompliance with RRP Rule requirements for certification, pre-renovation education, firm responsibility, and recordkeeping.
• Zidan Management Group, Inc., located in Indiana, agreed to perform an abatement project valued at up to $41,500 and paid a $3,675 fine to settle alleged violation of RRP Rule work practice and certification requirements.

The RRP Rule requires that individuals performing renovations are properly trained and certified, give owners and occupants EPA's Renovate Right lead hazard information pamphlet before beginning work and follow specific lead-safe work practices during renovations.

Lead Disclosure Rule Enforcement Actions

Five of the settlements reported in fiscal year 2016 alleged Lead Disclosure Rule violations. This rule continues to be an important tool for reducing lead exposures and increasing awareness of lead risks. The rule generally requires lessors and sellers to disclose to prospective tenants and purchasers specific information about lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards.

In one case, a landlord in Illinois, committed to perform a $308,000 lead abatement project and pay a $5,000 cash penalty to settle alleged Lead Disclosure Rule infractions. This case was a joint enforcement action by EPA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

In another case, Carrington Real Estate Services, LLC and Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, both in California, agreed to spend at least $59,929 to donate blood-lead test equipment to non-profit community health clinics, and pay a $19,976 penalty to settle alleged Lead Disclosure Rule infractions.

Lead-based Paint Activities Rule - Abatement Enforcement Actions

The Lead-based Paint Activities Rule requires that abatement contractors be trained and certified, and follow abatement-specific lead-safe work practices. EPA-authorized states typically implement and enforce the abatement requirements of this rule. However, during fiscal year 2016, EPA took action in two cases. In one case, Lead Me Out Environmental Services, Inc. of New York paid a civil penalty of $20,000 for alleged abatement violations.

More information about all of EPA's actions to enforce lead-based paint regulations during fiscal year 2016 is available at https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/fy2016-enforcement-actions-lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-rule-rrp.

More information about the lead-based paint regulations and hiring a certified renovation company is available at www.epa.gov/lead or by calling the National Lead Information Center at 1 (800) 424-LEAD.

---

From: Robbie Wilbur
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2016 8:16 AM
Subject: News Clippings 10/4/16

 

State

 

Council makes changes to lagoon management

Hattiesburg American
Although the future of Hattiesburg's wastewater treatment isn't set in stone, Hattiesburg City Council members on Monday announced some recent changes to the city's lagoons that may allow that system to be used extensively.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/hattiesburg/2016/10/03/council-makes-changes-lagoon-management/91382782/

 

Hattiesburg plans to improve wastewater lagoon function

WDAM

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -The Hattiesburg City Council announced several new contracts Monday to improve functions of its wastewater lagoons.

http://www.wdam.com/story/33308555/hattiesburg-plans-to-improve-wastewater-lagoon-function

 

State awards $15K waste tire grant to Clarke County

Meridian Star

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality awarded a $15,000 two-year waste tire grant to Clarke County to continue the local waste tire collection program for small quantity generators of waste tires.

http://www.meridianstar.com/news/local_news/state-awards-k-waste-tire-grant-to-clarke-county/article_6b49b93b-0f8d-5248-bb23-8488b6ccea90.html

 

Oyster prediction: 'We're in for a short season'

Sun Herald

PASS CHRISTIAN 

Oyster boats were hauling in oysters on the opening day of the season Monday, but reports were not good.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/article105729236.html

 

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY LAKE AND WATER PARK STILL UP FOR GRABS

WCBI

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- The Oktibbeha County Lake and Wet-N-Wild Water Park has been a long talked about issue.

http://www.wcbi.com/video-oktibbeha-county-lake-water-park-still-grabs/

 

County bans all burning

Daily Corinthian

With the potential for wildfires increasing, Alcorn County is enacting a burn ban.

http://www.dailycorinthian.com/view/full_story/27283220/article-County-bans-all-burning?

 

Kemper County plant delayed again

Mississippi Today

Another month's delay, another $33 million in cost overruns for the Kemper County power plant.

http://mississippitoday.org/2016/10/03/kemper-county-plant-start-delayed-again/

 

5th Circuit removes Entergy case from Judge Wingate

Clarion Ledger

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered the long-running federal lawsuit by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood against Entergy Corp. removed from U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate, citing the judge's failure to rule on pending motions.

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/10/03/5th-circuit-removes-entergy-case-wingate/91468712/

 

National

 

A Milestone for Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere

NY Times

Climate science reached an unhappy milestone last week. And then things went a little crazy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/science/atmospheric-carbon-dioxide-400-ppm.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fearth&action=click&contentCollection=earth&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

 

EPA proposes poplar, willow trees for ethanol in U.S. biofuel rule tweak

Retuers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday proposed tweaks to its Renewable Fuel Standard that would allow biofuels to be processed at more than one location and would allow cellulosic ethanol to be made from poplar and willow trees.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biofuels-epa-idUKKCN1232GG

 

New regs for Tuesday: Cyber, hunting, insects

The Hill

Hunting: The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is moving forward with new hunting regulations.

http://thehill.com/regulation/298947-new-regs-for-tuesday-cyber-hunting-insects

 

Press releases

 

Environmental Quality Incentive Program Accepting Applications

 

 

Jackson, Miss. – The United States Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS) will have financial and technical assistance available

for fiscal year 2017 to assist Mississippi producers with the implementation of

conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

 

NRCS accepts applications for EQIP opportunities on a continuous basis, however

there are certain deadline dates set forth to rank applications in designated ranking periods.

The deadline to sign-up to be considered in the first ranking period is November 18, 2016.

 

NRCS helps producers improve water and air quality, build healthier soils, improve

grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations and achieve many

environmental benefits. All NRCS programs are completely voluntary and offer

science-based solutions that benefit both the landowner and the environment.

 

"The Environmental Quality Incentives Program offers producers a variety of

options to conserve natural resources on their properties," stated Kurt Readus,

State Conservationist for Mississippi.

"This conservation investment helps improve environmental health

and the economy of Mississippi's communities."

 

Applicants can sign up at their local NRCS office. Interested producers,

farmers and ranchers can apply for EQIP and obtain more information

at their local USDA/NRCS office.  For more information about EQIP,

visit the NRCS website:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ms/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcs142p2_017159

To locate your nearest NRCS office,  local USDA service center/ .

 

USDA Report Shows Growing Biobased Products Industry Contributes $393 Billion and 4.2 Million Jobs to American Economy

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2016 - A new report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that in 2014, the biobased products industry contributed $393 billion and 4.2 million jobs to America's recovering economy. The report also indicates that the sector grew from 2013 to 2014, creating or supporting an additional 220,000 jobs and $24 billion over that period. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, who has identified the biobased economy as one of the four pillars that support our country's rural economy, released the report at a luncheon today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. "When USDA released the first-ever Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry last year, we were thrilled to see what a positive impact this sector was having on our economy, and this updated analysis shows that the sector is not just holding strong, but growing," Vilsack said. "America has an appetite for everyday products-including plastic bottles, textiles, cleanings supplies and more-made from renewable sources, and that demand is fueling millions of jobs, bringing manufacturing back to our rural communities, and reducing our nation's carbon footprint. As this sector is strengthening, so is the economy in rural America, where this year the unemployment rate dropped below six percent for the first time since 2007. USDA is proud to see such strong returns on our investment into the biobased products industry." This report is the second Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry released by USDA, and it analyzes revenue and jobs created by the biobased products industry at the national and state level in 2014. USDA released the first report of this kind last year, which analyzed the same information based on 2013 data. The new report shows that the industry directly supported 1.53 million jobs in 2014, with each job in the industry responsible for generating 1.76 jobs in other sectors. In 2013, the industry was found to contribute $369 billion and four million jobs to the U.S. economy. In addition to their contribution to the rural economy, innovative biobased materials also have key environmental benefits including the reduction of the use of fossil fuels and reduced associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The production and use of biobased products replacing petroleum-based products had the potential to reduce GHG emissions up to 10 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents in 2014. These materials are increasingly being used as substitutes for petroleum-based materials, which have been used extensively for many years. An example of this petroleum displacement by a biobased material is the use of natural fibers in packing and insulating materials as an alternative to synthetic foams, such as Styrofoam. The increased use of biobased products currently displaces about 300 million gallons of petroleum per year - the equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road. Today, USDA's BioPreferred Program, which was created by the 2002 Farm Bill and reauthorized and expanded as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, has an online catalog of more than 15,000 products, of which 2,700 have been certified to carry the USDA Biobased Product label. The USDA BioPreferred Program's purpose is to spur economic development, create new jobs and provide new markets for farm commodities. Vilsack has also helped lead an effort to promote the domestic production and use of advanced biofuels to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in rural communities. USDA support has helped 21 states build nearly 5,000 pumps at over 1,400 fueling stations to strengthen the rural economy and increase the demand for agricultural commodities used in the production of biofuels, giving American consumers more options at the pump, while at the same time creating jobs and driving down fueling costs. The BioPreferred Program commissioned the Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry, which is primarily authored by Golden, J.S., Handfield, R.B., Daystar, J., Morrison, B., and McConnell, T.E., and is a joint publication of the Duke Center for Sustainability and Commerce and the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative at North Carolina State University. #