State
Gulfport's new contract with Waste Pro to begin Oct. 1
WLOX
Gulfport's new solid waste Garbage collection contract with Waste Pro begins on Sunday, Oct. 1.
You asked: Disposing of glass safely, properly
Daily Leader
Q: Is there a way I can throw away broken glass safely?
A:Broken glass and other sharp items are physical hazards. Broken glass has the potential to be a health hazard as well.
Oyster season opens Monday in Biloxi Bay
WLOX
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -Oyster season in Biloxi Bay opens next week on Monday, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced Thursday.
State Government
Education agency denies auditor's claim of breaking bid laws
AP
JACKSON, MISS.
Mississippi State Auditor Stacey Pickering on Thursday accused the Mississippi Department of Education of breaking state laws governing contracts and said he's continuing to investigate problems.
Regional
Two Balch & Bingham lawyers and one Drummond executive indicted in bribery of state legislator
Al.com
Two attorneys at Balch & Bingham and one Drummond Company vice president were indicted Thursday on charges related to the bribery of former Alabama state Rep. Oliver Robinson.
Dolphin populations boom after hurricanes strike: report
Times-Picayune
Hurricanes aren't just bad for people. They blast bird nests, kill fish and strand marine mammals. But research shows at least one animal appears to do quite well in a hurricane's wake.
National
EPA picks state lawmaker to lead New York office
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tapping a New York State lawmaker to lead its regional office based in New York City.
EPA finds Harvey damage at Houston Superfund site
AP
The Environmental Protection Agency is ordering companies responsible for cleaning up a Houston Superfund site flooded during Hurricane Harvey to immediately address damage to a protective cap and subsequent high levels of waste material detected in a sediment sample from the site.
Volkswagen to Take New $2.9 Billion Charge From Diesel Scandal
Costs stem from buyback and retrofitting programs of its 2.01 TDI vehicles in North America
WSJ
Volkswagen warned Friday its third-quarter operating result would take a hit of around €2.5 billion ($2.94 billion), as the company continues to grapple with the fallout of the diesel emissions scandal that erupted two years ago.
Camp Pendleton under consent decree after rats, frogs found in water supply
LA Times
Camp Pendleton officials swear that the water consumed by 55,000 Marines and their families is safe, despite a pair of scathing state and federal investigations indicating chronic problems in the treatment systems at the sprawling military base.
Chevron Names Michael Wirth Chairman, CEO
John Watson to retire in February after 37 years with second-largest U.S. oil company
WSJ
Chevron Corp. on Thursday named Michael Wirth as its next chief executive, choosing an engineer experienced at finding efficiencies and cutting costs as the energy company copes with a prolonged period of lower oil prices.
Press Releases
EPA Announces Appointment of Pete Lopez to Region 2 Administrator
09/28/2017
Contact Information:
WASHINGTON (September 28, 2017) –Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the appointment of Pete Lopez of New York to become Regional Administrator for Region 2. Mr. Lopez will oversee environmental protection efforts in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pete Lopez has served as a member of the New York State Assembly since 2007 representing a seven county region including Mid-Hudson, Northern Catskills, Southern Tier, and Capital District. Mr. Lopez is currently a member on the New York Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation and a member of the Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy where he has worked to provide proper oversight of New York’s health and environment. While serving as a state legislator, Mr. Lopez has worked tirelessly to collaborate in developing and passing the state budget and promoting growth and opportunity for New Yorkers.
“Pete Lopez has spent nearly a decade in one of the country’s largest state legislatures working to improve the quality of life of his constituents,” said Administrator Pruitt. “His familiarity with the region and his experience working to solve environmental problems in New York will be invaluable in helping EPA serve Americans in the Northeast and the Caribbean.”
His nomination is receiving high accolades from across the region:
Ladan Alomar, Executive Director of Centro Civico: “Pete Lopez, for more than two decades, has made substantial contributions to improving lives of families in our region; we applaud him for his unconditional commitment to communities that he serves and congratulate him for his appointment to become EPA Regional Administrator.”
John Bartow, Executive Director of the Empire State Forest Products Association: “Pete Lopez has been a strong supporter of New York's forests and the forest products industry for several decades. He brings a broad understanding of the importance of sustainably managing natural resources while also meeting the needs of communities and local economies based on those resources. Pete will be a great asset to EPA and its responsibilities in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.”
Peter A. Baynes, Executive Director of the New York State Conference of Mayors: "In his time as a local official and then as a State Assemblyman, Pete Lopez has been widely recognized as a true public servant: hard-working, responsive, and a problem solver. NYCOM is pleased to know that Pete will now have the opportunity to demonstrate that same dedication in his new capacity with the EPA, working collaboratively with city and village officials to protect the environment and enhance the quality-of-life in our communities."
Heather C. Briccetti, Esq., president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. “The Business Council of New York State congratulates Peter D. "Pete" Lopez for his appointment as the Region 2 Administrator for the EPA. The members of the business community have long respected Pete for his willingness to fight for what he believes is in the best interest of all New Yorkers. We know he will continue to do what is right for the people and the environment in his new role. As the Region 2 Administrator, Pete will oversee environmental protection efforts with a measured and rational approach and we look forward to working together."
Mike Elmendorf, President & CEO of the Associated General Contractors of New York State: “We congratulate Administrator Pruitt on his appointment of Assemblyman Pete Lopez as EPA Regional Administrator for Region 2. Pete Lopez is a proven leader and public servant, and we are confident that he will effectively balance responsible stewardship of our environmental resources with economic development, timely decision making and the need for streamlining our regulatory and permitting processes. We look forward to working with Assemblyman Lopez in his new role.”
Gavin Donohue, President and CEO of the Independent Power Producers of New York: “In Pete’s time with the Assembly, he took a balanced approach to energy and environmental policy. In the days after Hurricane Sandy, he had a pulse for what his local community needed and made sure those needs were met responsibly from an environmental standpoint. He will be a credit to the EPA, and independent power producers look forward to working with him.”
David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President: “New York Farm Bureau has had a long, positive working relationship with Pete Lopez. He understands the needs of the agricultural community and the important role farmers play in environmental stewardship. We look forward to working with him in his new position as Regional EPA Director. Together, we can successfully safeguard our natural resources while balancing the economic and regulatory challenges that farmers face.”
Gerry Geist, Executive Director of Association of Towns of the State of New York: “As a former town supervisor and dedicated public servant, Assemblyman Pete Lopez has consistently found a way to help people by tackling difficult issues and looking for innovative solutions. We look forward to working with Mr. Lopez in his new role as EPA Region II Administrator to help town officials fund and maintain local water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure.”
Bob Martin, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner: “Congratulations to New York Assemblyman Pete Lopez on being named EPA Region 2 Regional Administrator. Assemblyman Lopez has an impressive background in public service and I congratulate Administrator Pruitt on naming someone with the Assemblyman’s record of accomplishment and leadership to this important post. I have had the chance to talk with Assemblyman Lopez and found that he has a strong commitment to protecting the environment, and especially, to working closely with the states and territories within his region. I am looking forward to working with him and the staff of dedicated professionals in EPA Region 2 as we continue to pursue our shared mission of protecting New Jersey’s environment.”
Anne Reynolds, Executive Director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York: “We congratulate Assemblyman Pete Lopez on this important U.S. EPA appointment. New York has a long-standing and bipartisan tradition of environmental and clean energy leadership, and as a New Yorker, Assemblyman Lopez has experienced first-hand the impacts of severe storms and climate change. We look forward to working with Mr. Lopez as he continues this tradition, uses his well-respected skills at facilitation and problem-solving, and works to protects the air, water, and land of EPA Region 2.”
Council Announces Intention to Vote on Final 2017 Funded Priorities List
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) announces the intention to vote no sooner than October 5, 2017, on the approval of the Final 2017 Funded Priorities List: Comprehensive Commitment and Planning Support (2017 CPS FPL) in accordance with the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). In approving the 2017 CPS FPL, the Council would provide funding to its members to enhance collaboration, coordination, public engagement and use of best available science needed to make efficient use of Gulf restoration funds resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These funding awards would support the Council’s commitment to a coordinated approach to ecosystem restoration, as called for in the Comprehensive Plan Update 2016: Restoring the Gulf Coast’s Ecosystem and Economy. The draft 2017 CPS FPL was available for public review and comment from July 13 - August 14, 2017. During this time, the Council accepted public comments on the draft 2017 CPS FPL online, via email and US mail. As part of finalizing the 2017 CPS FPL, the Council considered all public comments, and developed the Draft 2017 Funded Priorities List: Comprehensive Plan Commitment and Planning Support Response to Public to Public Comments document (2017 CPS FPL Response to Public Comments). The Council invites the public to review the Final 2017 CPS FPL and 2017 CPS FPL Response to Public Comments.
FSU researchers receive $2.8M to study fate of BP Oil spill
A team of research institutions led by Florida State University has been awarded a $2.8 million grant to expand our understanding of how the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill affected the ecology of the Gulf of Mexico.
Eric Chassignet, director of FSU’s Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Studies (COAPS), will lead the team of scientists who will use the grant from the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative to study the role that microbes play in determining the fate of oil and its impact on marine ecosystems.
“The Consortium for Simulation of Oil-Microbial Interactions in the Ocean is an interdisciplinary group consisting of experts in physical oceanography, ecology, biology, chemistry and marine sediments,” Chassignet said. “Our work will investigate how microbes influence the biodegradation and accumulation of petroleum in the water column and marine sediments of the deep ocean and shelf.”
When the 2010 spill occurred, an estimated 200 million gallons of oil flowed into the Gulf of Mexico from a damaged well below the Deepwater Horizon platform. Scientists and first responders scrambled to predict where the released oil would go and how it would affect the circulation, ecology and biogeochemistry of the Gulf.
Florida State University has been at the forefront of this work, diligently studying the area to understand the Gulf of Mexico circulation, ecology, and biogeochemistry, and how the spill affected marine life.
The team of research institutions includes HR Wallingford, Texas A&M University, the University of Delaware, the University of Maryland and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Scientists from the six institutions will use recent model developments and results from field- and laboratory-based microbial and sediment studies to develop simulations to investigate the impacts of potential future oil spills under different scenarios and conditions (temperatures, oxygen levels, particulate matters and transport).
“It is critical to have the ability to predict the eventual fate of oil and its impact on ecosystems because toxic oil constituents pose unknown threats to organisms, many of which are harvested in the Gulf for human consumption. There’s also a greater likelihood of large spills in the future due to oil and gas extraction activities taking place over the shelf and increasingly in deep water,” Chassignet said.
In addition to Chassignet, several other FSU researchers will participate in the study including Steve Morey, COAPS senior scientist, who will serve as the scientific director of the project; Assistant Professors of Oceanography Olivia Mason and Mike Stukel; Associate Research Scientist Dmitry Dukhovskoy; and Tracy Ippolito, the consortium’s program and outreach coordinator.
