Tuesday, July 18, 2017

News Clippings July 18, 2017



State

Several agencies aiding with recovery efforts of Marine Corps plane crash
WJTV

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and other agencies are still using their resources to help with the recovery process of the Marine Corps plane that crashed last week.
http://wjtv.com/2017/07/17/several-agencies-aiding-with-recovery-efforts-of-marine-corps-plane-crash/

MISSISSIPPI AMONG MOST POLLUTED STATES
WXXV

A recent study ranks Mississippi as one of the most polluted states in the country.
A study focusing on the correlation between pollution and sleep revealed Mississippi as the ninth most polluted state. The data was compiled from the American Lung Association, the EPA, and the Environment America Research and Policy Center.
https://wxxv25.com/2017/07/17/mississippi-among-polluted-states/

Environmentalists warn that federal cuts could trickle to states
Mississippi Today

A former Mississippi mayor and top federal environmental official, along with other environmentalists, are sounding the alarm about proposed cuts to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
https://mississippitoday.org/2017/07/17/environmentalists-warn-that-federal-cuts-could-trickle-to-states/

M.B.N Sends Drugs Up In Smoke and Off The Streets
WJTV

Over the next 24-hours the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics will burn hundreds of pounds of drugs.
...The incinerator is regulated through the Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency.
http://wjtv.com/2017/07/17/m-b-n-sends-drugs-up-in-smoke-and-off-the-streets/

Countywide recycling a first
DeSoto Times-Tribune

Residents in rural, unincorporated DeSoto County will have the opportunity this fall to receive curbside recycling, effective Oct. 1, following approval Monday of a six-year contract by the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors to garbage/recycling provider Waste Pro.
http://www.desototimes.com/news/countywide-recycling-a-first/article_2e3b4e04-6b22-11e7-94ac-237274276235.html

Jackson Co. planning multi-million dollar drainage project
WLOX

Jackson County leaders now have a starting point to begin tackling drainage issues in the county. An engineering firm presented a multi-million dollar project to the board of supervisors which they say could have a major impact. 
http://www.wlox.com/story/35905688/jackson-co-planning-mulch-million-dollar-drainage-project

Large crowds tour USM research ship
WLOX

Hundreds of visitors took advantage of Monday’s "open ship" event aboard USM's research vessel. They toured the Point Sur, docked at the Port of Gulfport, and learned from the scientists who conduct experiments in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.wlox.com/story/35904301/large-crowds-tour-usm-research-ship

City Council to discuss ending State of Emergency in Hattiesburg
WDAM

Hattiesburg City Council 
will discuss ending the State of Emergency, active since January's EF-3 tornado, at Tuesday's meeting.
http://www.wdam.com/story/35906269/city-council-to-end-state-of-emergency-in-hattiesburg

Jackson announces efforts to eliminate blight
Clarion Ledger

The state is combining forces with a nonprofit to restore blighted properties in Jackson and return them to the tax rolls.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/07/17/jackson-announces-efforts-eliminate-blight-jackson/483949001/

State auditor: Greentech never met jobs, investment totals
AP

Electric vehicle firm GreenTech Automotive claims it raised $140 million for its Mississippi factory, but state Auditor Stacey Pickering said Monday that the company can't prove it invested even the $60 million required in its state incentive contract.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2017/07/18/state-auditor-greentech-never-met-jobs-investment-totals/486717001/

One phone call can save lives of owls, other animals living in South Mississippi trees
Sun Herald
JACKSON COUNTY 

Almost all the babies that Judy Roe has kept warm and fussed over, with round the clock feedings this spring and summer, are the casualties of tree cutting services.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/jackson-county/article161894353.html

Officials happy with emergency response to truck stuck on tracks
WLOX

It was a frightening, and sadly familiar sight in Biloxi Monday morning: an 18-wheeler stuck on the steep grade of a railroad crossing. This time it was on Iberville Drive, near the western edge of Keesler Air Force Base.      
http://www.wlox.com/story/35899858/officials-happy-with-emergency-response-to-truck-stuck-on-tracks

Auto parts supplier to Nissan to invest $16M, add 100 jobs
AP
GLUCKSTADT, MISS. 

A supplier to Nissan Motor Co. will add nearly 100 jobs in Mississippi, bringing its total employment in the area to about 600.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article161816533.html

Oil Spill

Escambia County deploys 34 new artificial reefs off Pensacola Beach
PNJ

Escambia County has deployed 34 new artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola Beach.
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/pensacola/beaches/2017/07/17/escambia-county-deploys-34-new-artificial-reefs-off-pensacola-beach/485968001/

Lynn Haven park expected to break ground toward end of 2017
WJHG

LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Last October, fifth graders from Deer Point Elementary School had the opportunity of scoping out land for a new park in Lynn Haven.
http://www.wjhg.com/content/news/Lynn-Haven-Bayou-Park-and-Preserve-435017953.html

Regional

Environmentalists sue over extended red snapper season
AP
NEW ORLEANS 

Two environmental groups are suing the Trump administration for stretching the red snapper season for recreational anglers in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article161724883.html

Congressman wants answers on toxins at TVA coal-fired plant
AP

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen is pressing the Tennessee Valley Authority and state regulators for more information about the discovery of excessive levels of arsenic and lead in groundwater under a coal-fired power plant.
http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/US-Rep-Cohen-seeks-answers-about-toxins-found-at-11294641.php

Gov. Cooper urges EPA to set limits for GenX
WECT

RALEIGH, NC (WECT) -Federal officials must set limits for GenX and other contaminants so that North Carolina can permanently control its discharge and protect its drinking water, Gov. Roy Cooper told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday.
http://www.wect.com/story/35902507/gov-cooper-urges-epa-to-set-limits-for-genx


National

EPA to retain standards for nitrogen dioxide pollution
The Hill

The Trump administration says the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard for nitrogen dioxide pollution concentrations should stay in place.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/342332-epa-wants-to-maintain-current-nitrogen-dioxide-pollution-rule

Maryland still waiting to hear from EPA on ozone concerns
Federick News-Post

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency missed its deadline Saturday to respond to Maryland’s petition against five states that are contributing a significant amount of ozone to its air.
https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/environment/climate/maryland-still-waiting-to-hear-from-epa-on-ozone-concerns/article_25d8c104-ab5b-5f9e-9d4c-465b7bbaac6d.html

California Legislature Approves Climate-Change Measure
Pushed hard by Gov. Brown, extension of cap-and-trade program wins critical Republican votes to reach needed two-thirds majority
WSJ

SAN FRANCISCO—California Gov. Jerry Brown scored a major win for his climate-change agenda Monday night when the legislature approved an extension of the state’s cap-and-trade program.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-legislature-approves-climate-change-measure-1500355679

Fishing Ban Angers Minnesota Tourism Industry
Owners of tourism-related businesses protested Minnesota’s ban on fishing for walleye, a popular sport for visitors, by circling the governor’s boat.
WSJ

Gov. Mark Dayton just wanted to catch some bass on a popular Minnesota lake. But lakefront residents aboard a flotilla of some 40 vessels decided to catch the governor.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/fishing-ban-angers-minnesota-tourism-industry-1500249567


Opinion

The D.C. Circuit v. Deregulation
Two judges say the EPA can’t stay its own rule pending review.
WSJ

Harry Reid may have left Washington, but the former Senate Majority Leader’s legacy abides in a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals stacked with progressives ready to defend the Obama Administration’s agenda. One of those judges joined a Bill Clinton appointee this month to salvage President Obama’s methane rule with an extraordinary display of raw judicial power.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-d-c-circuit-v-deregulation-1500235480

Press Releases

State Agencies Assisting U.S. Marine Corps in Plane Crash Recovery

PEARL – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency continues coordinating state resources for Leflore County Emergency Management and the United States Marines Corps (USMC) in the recovery process of the KC-130 aircraft that crashed on July 10. Through the United States Department of Defense, the USMC is charge of the crash investigation, recovery of the plane and its contents. Gov. Phil Bryant declared a state of emergency for Leflore County on July 13 to authorize the use of state support.
 
Below is an updated list of the state agencies, departments, and organizations providing resources:
 
MEMA:
  • Multi-Agency Coordination Team (MAC-T) deployed to Leflore County.
  • Mobile Command Trailer deployed for on-site command center.
  • Five industrial field tents & generators deployed as cooling stations for recovery operations.
 
MS Dept. of Public Safety:
  • Bureau of Investigations - Assisting with collection and storage of plane debris.
  • Highway Patrol - Providing perimeter security of the crash sites.
  • Bureau of Narcotics - Documenting and classifying recovered debris.
  • U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) - Documenting and classifying recovered debris.
 
MS Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries:
  • Assisting the Marines in drone and personnel searches of aircraft debris. Once located, the department has been geo-tagging the items for collection and classification.
 
MS Dept. of Environmental Quality:
  • Working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the USMC to ensure safe and effective cleanup of the crash sites.
 
Salvation Army:
  • Partnering with the Southern Baptists Association in Greenwood to provide three meals per day to those assisting with recovery operations.
  • Other local churches in the area are providing snacks, drinks and volunteers to help serve food. 
 
MS Dept. of Animal Health:
  • MS State University has deployed its mobile veterinary clinic to support the search for debris; The U.S. ATF requested K-9's to assist in the debris search.
 
The State Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor the situation and requests for resources for this incident.
 
Leflore County Emergency is also requesting that all non-cash donations be delivered to the following location:
 
  • North Greenwood Baptist Church
615 Grand Boulevard
Greenwood, MS 38930
 
For any questions regarding non-cash donations, please call Pastor Jim Phillips  at 662-392-3474 or Leflore County Emergency Management at 662-299-2600.
 
MEMA will provide updates as information becomes available. The best way to get up-to-date information is to “Like” MEMA on Facebook, or “Follow” us on twitter @msema.