State
CHEVRON PROJECTS CONCERN PASCAGOULA RESIDENTS
WXXV
Future plans for the Chevron Refinery in Pascagoula put residents in the area on high alert.
http://wxxv25.com/2017/02/09/chevron-projects-concern-pascagoula-residents/
Legislature advances bills to enhance governor’s power
By Bobby Harrison
Daily Journal Jackson Bureau
JACKSON – By razor-thin margins, three bills were passed Thursday that would greatly increase the power of Gov. Phil Bryant.
http://djournal.com/news/legislature-advances-bills-enhance-governors-power/
Oil Spill
House draws roadmap for Deepwater Horizon money
WJXT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Northwest Florida projects eyed to receive settlement money from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill would require gubernatorial and legislative approval, under a measure proposed by a House committee.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/house-draws-roadmap-for-deepwater-horizon-money
Regional
New TVA plant to add 'biogas' to fuel mix
Commercial Appeal
After climbing to a platform some 40 feet above the busy, sprawling construction site he oversees, Dan Tibbs motions toward the east, to a point far beyond the boundaries of Tennessee Valley Authority's Allen Combined Cycle Plant in Southwest Memphis.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/environment/2017/02/04/new-tva-plant-add-biogas-fuel-mix/96968250/
If oysters are polluted, what about the fish?
Times-Picayune
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has sent out a number of releases over the past year about oyster harvesters getting busted pulling up the mollusks from polluted waters. That's a disturbing trend for consumers who like to like to get a fix on Friday nights from their favorite oyster bars.
http://www.nola.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2017/02/if_oysters_are_polluted_what_a.html#incart_river_index
National
Donald Trump Considers Veteran Fossil-Fuel Lobbyist or State Regulator for No. 2 EPA Post
Decision reflects president’s sometimes-conflicting desire to tap industry-backed officials and those outside Washington
WSJ
WASHINGTON—The No. 2 slot at the Environmental Protection Agency will likely be filled by either a veteran fossil-fuel lobbyist in Washington or a state regulator, reflecting President Donald Trump’s sometimes-conflicting desire to tap industry-backed officials and those outside Washington.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-considers-veteran-fossil-fuel-lobbyist-or-state-regulator-for-epa-post-1486673838
Trump brings big change to climate policies
The Hill
President Trump and the GOP Congress are working to undo President Obama’s actions on climate change, underlining what could be a major shift on a policy that affects the world.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/318824-trump-brings-big-change-to-climate-policies
House panel to consider ‘modernizing’ Clean Air Act, environmental laws
The Hill
A House committee next week will consider how to “modernize” environmental laws like the Clean Air Act, the panel announced Thursday.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/318815-house-panel-to-consider-modernizing-clean-air-act-environment-laws
Justice says he’s going to make DEP stop saying ‘no’ to industry
Charleston Gazette-Mail
Gov. Jim Justice promised Wednesday night that on his watch West Virginia business and industry would stop hearing “no” from the state Department of Environmental Protection, an 800-person agency whose rank-and-file inspectors the governor singled out for harsh criticism for — the governor alleged — wearing “T-shirts and old jeans” and “not having shaved in forever.”
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-politics/20170208/justice-says-hes-going-to-make-dep-stop-saying-no-to-industry
Wind tops nation in renewable energy capacity for first time
The Hill
Wind power expanded so much in 2016 that it is now the largest source of renewable electricity capacity in the United States, an industry group reported Thursday.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/318746-wind-tops-nation-in-renewable-energy-capacity-for-first-time
New regs for Friday: Bumblebees, farmers, fishermen
The Hill
President Trump’s regulatory moratorium captures protections for bumblebees in Friday’s edition of the Federal Register.
http://thehill.com/regulation/318679-new-regs-for-friday-bumble-bees-farmers-fishermen
