State
VT Halter is going to need more time for overspray shed
Sun Herald
PASCAGOULA
The state-of-the-art sandblast and paint building VT Halter Marine has agreed to build will be integrated to allow within its walls complete surface preparation and final painting of unassembled ship sections.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/jackson-county/article136024048.html
More Kemper fallout: Mississippi Power rating outlook falls to ‘negative’
Mississippi Today
One of the nation’s largest bond credit ratings agencies, Moody’s Investor Service, downgraded Mississippi Power Co.’s ratings on Thursday, bringing its rating outlook to negative.
Senate approves PERS raise
Clarion Ledger
After lengthy debate, the Senate passed a measure that would remove the salary cap for the director and chief investment officer positions at the Mississippi Public Employees Retirement System.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/02/senate-argues-pers-raise/98635992/
National
EPA Withdraws Obama-Era Request for Data On Oil, Natural Gas
AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it is withdrawing an Obama-era request that oil and natural gas companies provide information on methane emissions at oil and gas operations.
Trump's EPA budget proposal targets climate, lead cleanup programs
Reuters
The White House is proposing to slash a quarter of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's budget, targeting climate-change programs and those designed to prevent air and water pollution like lead contamination, a source with direct knowledge of the proposal said on Thursday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-epa-budget-idUSKBN1692XA
Here’s one part of the EPA that the agency’s new leader wants to protect
Washington Post
In case there was any question whether President Trump’s administration has put a bull’s eye on the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House’s proposed budget cuts at the agency leave little doubt. Plans reviewed by The Washington Post this week outline a wish list for cutting the agency’s staff by one-fifth and eliminating dozens of programs entirely.
EPA chief defends grant programs WH is eyeing for cuts
The Hill
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt says he is urging the White House not to cut funding for several grant programs the Trump administration has targeted.
Top Trump Advisers Are Split on Paris Agreement on Climate Change
NY Times
WASHINGTON — The White House is fiercely divided over President Trump’s campaign promise to “cancel” the Paris agreement, the 2015 accord that binds nearly every country to curb global warming, with more moderate voices maintaining that he should stick with the agreement despite his campaign pledge.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/us/politics/climate-change-trump.html?_r=0
New EPA head used personal email for government business, contrary to testimony to Congress
Washington Post
WASHINGTON - Attorney General Jeff Sessions isn't the only Trump Cabinet official being pressed to explain omissions in congressional testimony at his confirmation hearing.
Interior secretary repeals ban on lead bullets
The Hill
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signed an order Thursday overturning a ban on using lead ammunition on wildlife refuges.
New Interior secretary rides horse to first day at work
The Hill
Newly minted Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke rode a horse to his first day of work at the department’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, Thursday morning.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/321962-new-interior-chief-rides-horse-to-work
Senate Confirms Rick Perry as Energy Secretary
Vote of 62-37 includes support from Democrats
WSJ
WASHINGTON—The Senate on Thursday confirmed Rick Perry to be President Donald Trump’s energy secretary, putting the former Texas governor in charge of government research into new energy technologies and protecting the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-confirms-rick-perry-as-energy-secretary-1488482802
‘Tsunami of sewage spills’ at Mexican border ‘deliberate,’ says California mayor
Fox News
The massive sewage spill in Tijuana, Mexico that polluted Southern California beaches last month appeared to be a deliberate move, a local official said.
An End to California’s Drought Isn’t Cut and Dried
Rain has replenished the state’s reservoirs, but groundwater remains depleted
WSJ
After four ruinously dry years, California is now swimming in water. But by some measures, the state also remains immersed in its worst drought in 20 years.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/an-end-to-californias-drought-isnt-cut-and-dried-1488537007
Is Yucca Mountain once again to be America’s nuclear waste dump?
McClatchy
WASHINGTON
Thirty years after Nevada’s Yucca Mountain was designated as America’s only dumping ground for nuclear waste, not a single isotope has been sent there.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/politics-government/article136024748.html
As vapor intrusion concerns emerge, EPA tests Lansing homes
Lansing State Journal
Federal environmental officials tested the air quality in six Lansing homes Wednesday to determine whether harmful contaminants from an old industrial complex are seeping out of the ground at those locations.
Oil, biofuels groups urge U.S. EPA deny refiner requests to tweak RFS program
Reuters
A coalition of trade groups representing oil, biofuels and other interests pressed the U.S. government on Thursday to deny requests to tweak the country's biofuels program, the latest in a series of political maneuvers that have roiled markets.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biofuels-idUSKBN1692UX
High levels of toxins detected at fire training facility
AP
BRENTWOOD, N.H.
Monitoring wells at a Brentwood fire training facility detected elevated levels of two toxins.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article136166528.html
Opinion
Steven Palazzo: EPA, once needed, now a runaway bureaucracy
Sun Herald
Last month I co-sponsored a bill to terminate the Environmental Protection Agency. Since then, I have heard from many people in South Mississippi who both support and oppose this bill. Mainly people want to know: can we really get rid of the EPA?
http://www.sunherald.com/opinion/editorials/article136047408.html
Neighbors get the job done on the Pascagoula
Sun Herald
There are people who look at a problem and say, somebody should do something.
Then there are those who do something.
http://www.sunherald.com/opinion/editorials/article136105753.html
KEMPER AND FAIRNESS
Northside Sun
Southern Company chief executive officer Tom Fanning now says it may be less expensive to run the Kemper power plant on natural gas than gasified lignite (low grade coal). That means the $6.2 billion dollar cost of the gasifier is down the drain. This is what happens when you bet billions on experimental technology. The magnitude of the waste boggles imagination.
http://northsidesun.com/editorials/kemper-and-fairness#sthash.nKllkErf.dpbs
Press releases
Day One: Secretary Zinke Signs Orders to Expand Access to Public Lands
Orders Strengthen America’s Outdoor Heritage & Restore Opportunities for Sportsmen and Anglers
WASHINGTON - Today, on his first day on duty, Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (pronounced ZINK-ee) issued two secretarial orders which expand access to public lands and increase hunting, fishing, and recreation opportunities nationwide. These orders deliver on promises made by both President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Zinke to expand access to America’s public lands. The action was hailed by representatives from sportsmen, conservation, and recreation organizations.
"Outdoor recreation is about both our heritage and our economy. Between hunting, fishing, motorized recreation, camping and more, the industry generates thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity,” said Zinke. “Over the past eight years however, hunting, and recreation enthusiasts have seen trails closed and dramatic decreases in access to public lands across the board. It worries me to think about hunting and fishing becoming activities for the land-owning elite. This package of secretarial orders will expand access for outdoor enthusiasts and also make sure the community's voice is heard."
The two secretarial orders include:
Secretarial Order No. 3346 overturns the recent ban of lead ammunition and fish tackle used on Fish and Wildlife Service lands, waters, and facilities. The order highlights the need for additional review and consultation with local stakeholders.
Secretarial Order No. 3347 advances conservation stewardship, improves game and habitat management, and increases outdoor recreation opportunities by directing bureaus and agencies to immediately identify areas where recreation and fishing can be expanded. The order also requests input from the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council and Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council to provide recommendations on enhancing and expanding access on public lands and improving habitat for fish and wildlife.
Secretary Zinke was joined by representatives from the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Boone and Crockett Club, Wild Sheep Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Rifle Association, Safari Club International, National Wild Turkey Federation, Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, American Recreation Council, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Mule Deer Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, Wildlife Management Institute, American Sportfishing Association, and National Marine Manufacturers Association.
