Wednesday, June 28, 2017

News Clippings June 28, 2017



State

FV Recycling gives an update on Hattiesburg situation
WDAM

The contracted recycling company for the city of Hattiesburg spoke to WDAM Tuesday about the recent incident involving the public works department.
http://www.wdam.com/story/35762022/fv-recycling-gives-an-update-on-hattiesburg-situation

Lamar County to test automated trash pickup
WDAM

People may soon stop collecting garbage in Lamar County.
Lamar County Supervisors voted 4-1 Thursday to purchase 4,860 curbside containers from Cascade Car Solutions to test automated trash pickup.
http://www.wdam.com/story/35764519/lamar-county-to-test-automated-trash-pickup

State's largest solar facility now operational
WDAM

A 52 megawatt solar generating facility near Sumrall has begun operating and providing energy to the Mississippi Power grid.
http://www.wdam.com/story/35762761/states-largest-solar-facility-now-operational

Teenager contracts flesh eating bacteria after swimming in Reservoir
WLBT

A teenager who claims she contracted a bacterial infection in Reservoir is warning people about what is lurking in the water that could make you sick.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/35764097/teenager-contracts-flesh-eating-bacteria-after-swimming-in-reservoir

New Oxonian and restaurant manager Will Jordan cleans up Sardis Lake
Oxford Eagle

One of the first things Will Jordan fell in love with when he moved to Oxford about a year ago was Sardis Lake.
http://www.oxfordeagle.com/2017/06/27/new-oxonian-and-restaurant-manager-cleaning-up-sardis-lake/

SOMETHING FISHY ON HIGHWAY 45
WCBI

HIGHWAY 45 ALT, Miss. (WCBI News) – A truck spill creates a smelly situation for drivers on Highway 45 Alternate towards West Point.
https://www.wcbi.com/video-something-fishy-highway-45/

MDWFP warns about black bear sightings
WJTV

Black bear sightings across the state are growing more common as we approach warmer temperatures and right now we are at the peak of their breeding season.
http://wjtv.com/2017/06/27/mdwfp-warns-about-black-bear-sightings/

Mississippi museums preparing for December opening
Clarion Ledger

Two Mississippi museums in Jackson opened their doors Tuesday for a preview of the soon-to-be completed, engaging and emotional chronicle of the state's history.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/06/28/mississippi-museums-preparing-december-opening/431861001/

Oil Spill

In disaster's wake, BP doubles down on deepwater despite surging shale
Reuters

About 300 BP workers commute 150 miles here by helicopter, from the Louisiana coast to a deep-sea drilling platform that can produce more oil in a day than a West Texas rig can pump in a year.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-bp-gulfmexico-insight-idUSKBN19I0G4


Regional

EPA inspection flames up concerns over plant's 'likely carcinogen' emission
WVUE

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, LA (WVUE) -A manufacturing plant pumping an EPA classified 'likely carcinogen' into the air violated the Clean Air Act at least 50 times during a recent inspection. 
http://www.fox8live.com/story/35754474/epa-inspection-flames-up-concerns-over-plants-likely-carcinogen-emission

National

Trump, EPA Move to Rescind Obama Administration’s Clean Water Rule
New rule would reverse Obama administration’s Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule
WSJ

President Donald Trump’s administration is moving ahead with plans to dismantle another piece of the Obama administration’s environmental legacy, the rule that sought to protect clean drinking water by expanding Washington’s power to regulate major rivers and lakes as well as smaller streams and wetlands.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-epa-move-to-rescind-obama-administrations-clean-water-rule-1498586400

Trump administration to propose repealing rule giving EPA broad authority over water pollution
Washington Post

President Trump’s administration will revoke a rule that gives the Environmental Protection Agency broad authority over regulating the pollution of wetlands and tributaries that run into the nation’s largest rivers, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said Tuesday.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/06/27/trump-administration-to-propose-repealing-rule-giving-epa-broad-authority-over-water-pollution/?utm_term=.e05b96eea461

On Capitol Hill, EPA chief gets an earful about Trump’s ‘downright offensive’ budget plan
Washington Post

Another trip to Capitol Hill for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, another reminder that lawmakers from both parties have no intention of approving the deep cuts President Trump is seeking at the agency.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/06/27/on-capitol-hill-epa-chief-gets-an-earful-about-trumps-downright-offensive-budget-plan/?utm_term=.2557389fec43

EPA chief met with Dow CEO before deciding on pesticide ban
AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s top environmental official met privately with the chief executive of Dow Chemical shortly before reversing his agency’s push to ban a widely used pesticide after health studies showed it can harm children’s brains, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.
https://apnews.com/2350d7be5e24469ab445089bf663cdcb/EPA-chief-met-with-Dow-CEO-before-deciding-on-pesticide-ban?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP

Trump hails 'energy revolution' as exports surge
AP
WASHINGTON 

President Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed an energy revolution marked by surging U.S. exports of oil and natural gas.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article158372879.html

Oklahoma regulators, researchers release update on fracking-related earthquakes
Oklahoman

Oklahoma regulators and researchers said Tuesday new protocols to manage and prevent earthquakes linked to hydraulic fracturing operations are showing positive results in the first six months.
http://newsok.com/article/5554353

Schools, Colleges Contend With Costly Mold
Aging structures are ripe for fungal problems; Indiana U. spends $568,220 for fixes at two dorms
WSJ

Jennifer Matos rushed her 4-year-old daughter, Sapphira Holmes, to the emergency room last September after noticing the girl’s chest heaving as she breathed.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/schools-colleges-contend-with-costly-mold-1498555805

Press Releases

EPA, U.S. Army Move to Rescind 2015 "Waters of the U.S."
06/27/2017
Contact Information: 
(press@epa.gov)

WASHINGTON – (June 27, 2017) The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Army, and Army Corps of Engineers (the agencies) are proposing a rule to rescind the Clean Water Rule and re-codify the regulatory text that existed prior to 2015 defining "waters of the United States" or WOTUS. This action would, when finalized, provide certainty in the interim, pending a second rulemaking in which the agencies will engage in a substantive re-evaluation of the definition of "waters of the United States." The proposed rule would be implemented in accordance with Supreme Court decisions, agency guidance, and longstanding practice.

"We are taking significant action to return power to the states and provide regulatory certainty to our nation's farmers and businesses," said Administrator Scott Pruitt. "This is the first step in the two-step process to redefine 'waters of the U.S.' and we are committed to moving through this re-evaluation to quickly provide regulatory certainty, in a way that is thoughtful, transparent and collaborative with other agencies and the public."

This proposed rule follows the February 28, 2017, Presidential Executive Order on "Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the 'Waters of the United States' Rule." The February Order states that it is in the national interest to ensure that the Nation's navigable waters are kept free from pollution, while at the same time promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and showing due regard for the roles of Congress and the States under the Constitution. To meet these objectives, the agencies intend to follow an expeditious, two-step process that will provide certainty across the country.

The proposed rule would recodify the identical regulatory text that was in place prior to the 2015 Clean Water Rule and that is currently in place as a result of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit's stay of the 2015 rule. Therefore, this action, when final, will not change current practice with respect to how the definition applies.

The agencies have also begun deliberations and outreach on the second step rulemaking involving a re-evaluation and revision of the definition of "waters of the United States" in accordance with the Executive Order.

"The Army, together with the Corps of Engineers, is committed to working closely with and supporting the EPA on these rulemakings.  As we go through the rulemaking process, we will continue to make the implementation of the Clean Water Act Section 404 regulatory program as transparent as possible for the regulated public, " said Mr. Douglas Lamont, senior official performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.

For the pre-publication Federal Register Notice and additional information: http://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule