State
Jackson saves more than $5M on controversial sludge hauling contract
Clarion Ledger
Jackson city officials have renegotiated a once-controversial contract for sludge removal that appears to have been widely miscalculated, resulting in more than $5 million in savings.
Ole Miss researchers using acoustics to spot undersea oil leaks
Clarion Ledger
An oil pipe fractured in the Gulf of Mexico in October about 40 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, releasing between 7,950 and 9,350 barrels of oil before being halted.
O CHRISTMAS TREE
Recycling program gives second life to Christmas trees
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Just because the presents are opened and Christmas Day has passed, that doesn’t mean the tree is no longer useful.
Trash collectors: No rest for the weary after Christmas
Daily Times Leader
WEST POINT, MS
For most people, Christmas is a time of days off and slowing down at work.
That's not true for at least one group -- trash collectors.
Future of Mississippi's waterparks, campgrounds the focus of PEER report
WLOX
JACKSON, MS (WLOX) -A new report says Flint Creek and the other parks run by the Pat Harrison Waterway District have enough money in the bank to remain open for another 18.5 years. Their futures beyond 2036 are the focus of a new Mississippi Legislative PEER committee analysis.
Fulton officials still seeking BlueFire deed, county officials claim it doesn’t exist
Itawamba County Times
Fulton leaders are still asking Itawamba County officials to provide them with a deed for their portion of the property that was to house the defunct BlueFire Renewables plant … a document that county officials say doesn’t exist.
State Government
THE FUTURE OF THE EMA BUDGET ON A STATE AND COUNTY LEVEL
WCBI
NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Many state agencies in Mississippi are facing possible budget cuts in the new fiscal year, including the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
Nothing will be set in stone or known until the MEMA budget is finalized in April.
Secretary of State's business survey reveals need for better educated workforce
WLBT
Mississippi businesses are revealing what most helps and hurts and their progress. Nearly 2,000 businesses answered a set of questions from the Secretary of State's office. Their answers provide a better picture of the problems for starting, maintaining, and growing their businesses.
Oil Spill
Triumph Gulf Coast hires new program administrator
WJHG
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - As a result of the damage inflicted on the Florida Gulf Coast by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, Triumph Gulf Coast was organized to oversee the expenditure of 75 percent of all funds recovered by the Florida Attorney General from that event. The counties affected by the oil spill included Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla.
Regional
EPA finds Baton Rouge area is out of compliance with ozone standards to industry's chagrin
The Advocate
The Environmental Protection Agency has informed state officials that it intends to label the Baton Rouge area as out of compliance with national air quality standards, a move that affects permitting standards for new or expanded industrial facilities.
National
EPA must tighten rules on lead inside homes to protect children from poisoning, court rules
LA Times
After years of delay, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must propose tighter limits on the amount of lead allowed inside homes within 90 days to protect children from the hazards of lead paint, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.
Air Pollution Contributes to More Than 20,000 Deaths a Year
NY Times
Day-to-day increases in air pollution, even at levels generally considered acceptable, are associated with increased deaths among the elderly.
Even brief exposure to low-level air pollution tied to deaths
Reuters
Older adults are more likely to die on days when air pollution rises, even when contaminant levels are below the limit considered safe by U.S. regulators, a new study suggests.
EPA nixes bid to herd livestock under Clean Air Act
The EPA has denied a plea by environmental groups to regulate concentrated animal feeding operations under the Clean Air Act
Capital Press
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday it has denied a petition by environmental groups to regulate concentrated animal feeding operations like factories under the Clean Air Act.
Court won’t reconsider dismissing case against Obama fracking rule
The Hill
An appeals court declined Wednesday to reconsider its September decision that undid a previous court ruling overturning the Obama administration’s fracking rule for federal land.
Power Plants Bloom Even as Electricity Prices Wilt
Despite fierce competition and stagnant demand, companies are investing in new power plants—so long as they’re near shale fields
WSJ
A glut of gas flowing out of U.S. shale fields is fueling a power plant construction boom in several northeastern states, despite fierce competition that has caused wholesale electricity prices to plummet.
Press Releases
Shrimp season to close north of ICW on Jan. 1, 2018;
Several fishing seasons set to open
BILOXI, Miss. – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced Wednesday that all waters north of the Intracoastal Waterway will close at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. This closure applies to Mississippi territorial waters. All other Mississippi territorial waters will remain open to shrimping.
For more information about this closure, call the Shrimp Information Hotline at 1-866-938-7295.
MDMR officials also announced openings and closings for some recreational and commercial fishing seasons.
The recreational fishing season for Greater Amberjack will open in Mississippi territorial waters at 12:01 a.m. local time on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.
The commercial fishing seasons for Gray Triggerfish and Greater Amberjack will open in Mississippi territorial waters at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.
The commercial fishing season for Flounder will close in Mississippi territorial waters at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. The season will reopen at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.
The Total Allowable Catch for commercial landings of Flounder will be set at 74,000 pounds. The season will be open through Dec. 31, 2018, or until the quota is met.
The commercial fishing season for Red Drum will close in Mississippi territorial waters at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. The season will reopen at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.
The annual TAC for commercial landings of Red Drum is 60,000 pounds. The season will be divided into three four-month periods: Jan. 1-April 30; May 1-Aug. 31 and Sept. 1-Dec. 31. The quota is 20,000 pounds for each period. If the quota is not met or is exceeded in any of the four-month periods, the pounds shall be added or subtracted to the following period. If the total quota of 60,000 pounds is met in the third period, the season will be closed.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov.
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