State
EPA releasing 100 million gallons of wastewater into Bayou Casotte
WLOX
JACKSON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is releasing more than 100 million gallons of partially treated wastewater from the former Mississippi Phosphates facility into Bayou Casotte.
NWS confirms EF 1 tornado hit Chevron refinery
WLOX
JACKSON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF 1 tornado hit the Chevron refinery in Pascagoula on Sunday, injuring one person and damaging a metal structure.
FBI is investigating the Jackson County Utility District, official says
Sun Herald
OCEAN SPRINGS
The FBI has interviewed at least one member and one former member of the Board of Directors of the Jackson County Utility Authority, contacted the entity’s attorney for background information and audits and talked with some employees.
Two water advisories still in effect following Hurricane Nate
WLOX
HANCOCK COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has reopened all water access along the beach in South Mississippi except for two areas.
ALL BUT TWO BEACHES REOPEN AFTER NATE
WXXV
Most beaches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast have reopened following Hurricane Nate.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality reports all but two areas of accessible waters are open along the beach in South Mississippi.
Monticello may get water bottling company
Daily Leader
A proposed water bottling company could be in store for Monticello.
Biofuel company announces plans for Mississippi refinery
AP
NATCHEZ, MISS.
A British company aims to build a $300 million refinery in southwest Mississippi to turn wood into the equivalent of diesel or jet fuel.
Solar companies considering Golden Triangle
Commercial Dispatch
Supervisors in Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties have recently approved resolutions of intent for tax benefits to help attract a pair of solar companies that are eyeing the Golden Triangle.
State Government
State personnel turnover in a ‘vicious circle’
Mississippi Today
Just four days into his new job as director of Child Protection Services, Jess Dickinson told a room full of legislative leaders about the “vicious circle” affecting his agency.
Mississippi education superintendent says her department is improving purchasing methods
AP
JACKSON
Mississippi’s state superintendent of education says her department is tightening accounting and purchasing procedures, weeks after it was accused of illegally issuing some contracts without taking bids.
Mississippi National Guard unit being deployed in 2018
AP
JACKSON, MISS.
About 4,200 Mississippi National Guard soldiers will be mobilized starting in 2018, including a nine-month deployment to Kuwait.
Regional
EPA still working to clean up Tower Chemical Superfund site
Orlando Sentinel
In a quiet area just north of State Road 50 near
Clermont, a chemical company 37 years ago dumped pesticide-laced water into ponds that overflowed into a drainage canal connected to Lake
Apopka.
National
Government report calls on Trump to act on climate change
CNN
Washington (CNN)A government report released Monday is sounding an alarm over the threat of climate change, and the government's response.
EPA plans to repeal emission standards for truck components
Washington Post
The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking to repeal tighter emissions standards for truck components, a rule adopted in the final months of the Obama administration aimed at controlling traditional air pollutants as well as greenhouse-gas emissions linked to climate change.
‘Let us do our job’: Anger erupts over EPA’s apparent muzzling of scientists
Washington Post
First on CNN: Security costs skyrocket at 'lightning rod' EPA
CNN
Washington (CNN)The Environmental Protection Agency is beefing up security measures surrounding Administrator Scott Pruitt to an unprecedented level, CNN has learned, as members of Congress are asking if the costs are a "potential waste or abuse of taxpayer dollars."
Rise in Earthquakes Near Texas Oilfields Prompts New Monitoring
Bloomberg
Texas, home to two of the nation’s busiest oilfields, now has a new way for the public to track in real time how many earthquakes are rattling the Lone Star State since the expanded use of new drilling techniques.
Price-Fixing Inquiry Moves From BMW to Daimler and Volkswagen
NY Times
BRUSSELS — European Union investigators searched the offices of the German automakers Daimler and Volkswagen on Monday — the second such action in recent days as part of an inquiry into allegations of illegal collusion by the country’s car giants.
Firefighting foam contaminated water near Fentress field, so the Navy is researching an alternative
The Navy is researching new types of firefighting foam free of contaminants that were found in well water near a landing field used by fighter jets and in water systems near several other military installations around the country, according to a congressional watchdog report.
EPA looks at cleanup alternatives for Indiana site
AP
EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a feasibility study to find alternatives for cleaning up a lead-contaminated northwest Indiana public housing complex once it's demolished.
200 scientists send letter defending fisheries management
AP
More than 200 scientists say Congress should protect federal sustainable fishing laws in advance of a key hearing about the future of the way the government manages fisheries.
Opinion
How the Farm Belt Pressured Trump and Beat the Oil Industry
Bloomberg
Farm-state interests just conquered Big Oil in a fight over biofuels, proving that in Donald Trump’s Washington, King Corn still reigns.
Press Releases
MDEQ to Host Mississippi Restoration Summit on November 14
Public Welcome to Attend
(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will host the second annual Mississippi Restoration Summit on November 14 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi. The public is invited to learn about current restoration projects in Mississippi and the announcement of new projects for 2017. Registration to attend the Restoration Summit is not required.
“The summit will present an overview of all of the restoration efforts in Mississippi—a comprehensive explanation of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are headed. In addition, we will explain how new and existing projects, from all the various funding streams, will work together to improve our natural resources and our quality of life for decades to come,” said Gary Rikard, MDEQ Executive Director.
The Restoration Summit is open to the public from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will include the 2017 annual public meeting of the Mississippi Trustee Implementation Group (MS TIG).
The schedule for the day includes:
•Open House – 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Learn about current and planned restoration activities. Information on new and current projects will be available as well as representatives from various local, state, and federal organizations.
•Summit Kick-Off – 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. -- Hear from MDEQ leadership about current restoration projects in Mississippi and the announcement of new projects for 2017.
•Stakeholder Conversations – 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. -- Participate in discussions to inform future project planning.
In addition, MDEQ is also offering two educational breakout sessions: Restoration Finance and Restoration through Resource Management. Participation in both educational breakout sessions is open to the public. These sessions also offer an opportunity to earn professional continuing education credits. Registration is required for the educational breakout sessions at
www.restore.ms.
•Restoration Finance (Breakout Session 1) -- This session will provide information for financial professionals, contractors, and the general public about regulations and standards that govern the funding of restoration projects.
▪2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. – Procurement Standards (2 CFR 200) and Contracting Workshop.
▪3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. – Waste, Fraud, Abuse*
*CPE credit hours available pending approval of presentation materials by Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. MDEQ has applied to the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education for approval of this course or a portion thereof for a maximum of three hours of credit.
•Restoration Through Resource Management (Breakout Session 2) -- Information about how Mississippi is achieving restoration within a variety of resources.
▪3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. – Topics include Water Quality, Land Conservation, Beneficial Use/Marsh Restoration, and Oysters.
*PDH credit hours available. MDEQ has applied to the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education for approval of this course or a portion thereof for a maximum of two hours of credit.
EPA Honors 2017 Green Power Leaders
10/23/2017
Contact Information:
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces its 17th annual Green Power Leadership Awards, recognizing 19 Green Power Partners across the country – including Amphitheater Public Schools (Tuscon, AZ), Apple, Bainbridge Island (Washington), Capital One, the City of Houston (Texas), Google, Intel, L’Oreal, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, and University of Missouri – for achievements in advancing the nation’s voluntary green power market.
The award winners are being recognized for their efforts in expanding the domestic voluntary green power market. From using enough green power to meet 100 percent of electricity needs to signing long-term contracts to enable new green power projects, these organizations are demonstrating leadership by furthering the case for accessible, affordable green power use.
The winners for each of four award categories are:
Green Power Partner of the Year
• City of Houston, Texas purchased wind renewable energy certificates equal to 80 percent of the city’s annual power use in 2016, and also entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) that will supply the city with the output from 50 megawatts (MW) of solar power generated at a facility in Alpine, Texas, with anticipated savings to consumers of more than $1.9 million per year over the 20-year term.
• L'Oréal USA’s manufacturing operation has since 2016 increased its use of green power from 33 percent up to 100 percent, and installed on-site solar panel arrays at its factories in Florence, Kentucky and North Little Rock, Arkansas, bring L’Oréal's total number of solar energy installations to 16 across the United States.
Green Power Community of the Year
• Bainbridge Island, Washington holds one of the highest community participation rates in the Puget Sound Energy’s green power program, and all city facilities use 100 percent green power.
Direct Project Engagement
• Amphitheater Public Schools entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement for installed solar across 24 school sites and support facilities in 2016, supplying more than 65 percent of the school district’s electricity demand.
• Apple Inc. generates more than 228 million kWh at its facilities and has built or contracted for 580 megawatts (MW) of solar PV and 200 MW of wind power to support its data centers and corporate offices in California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and North Carolina.
• Intel Corporation uses more than 3.8 billion KWh or green power annually in the U.S., through on-site projects, utility programs, and renewable energy certificates, and in 2016 added a 6.5 megawatt (MW) solar carport at its Folsom campus to its green portfolio.
• Iron Mountain Information Management, LLC’s green power use accounts for 40 percent of its power requirements and is encouraging the development of new green power generation in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation procured green power for 20 percent of its total U.S. operations’ electricity needs, and has 11 operational on-site green power installations.
• Stanford University’s cutting-edge energy supply facility has district-level heat-recover and 72 megawatts of solar capacity, meeting more than 50 percent of the university’s electricity needs.
• University of Missouri currently combines on-site generation and an innovative wind power purchase agreement (PPA) to purchase more than 90 million kilowatt-hours of green power, representing 36 percent of the university’s campus electricity.
• Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority produced nearly 7.5 million kilowatt hours on-site, representing 74 percent of its own electricity, through an innovative Biogas-to-Energy Program.
Excellence in Green Power Use
• Capital One achieved its corporate energy goals three years early, including powering the company 100 percent with green power.
• Clif Bar & Company has sourced 100 percent green power for all its owned and operated facilities since 2003, and has developed innovative programs to support green power for its supply chain and employees.
• Equinix, Inc. was the first interconnection and data center to announce a goal of using 100 percent green power across its global footprint and has signed financial power purchase agreements for wind power that will, as of 2016, cover 80 percent of its U.S. load.
• Google Inc. procures more than 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours of green power for its operation, and is on track to achieve its commitment to power all of its operations with green power in 2017.
• Microsoft Corporation procured more than 3.3 billion kilowatt hours of green power last year for its domestic operations to expand its ongoing investment in building a cleaner, more responsible cloud.
• TOTO USA / Morrow, Georgia Facility uses green power for 100 percent of its facility electricity use, and was the first large-volume participant in Georgia Power’s Simple Solar Program to meet 100 percent of its use through the purchase of RECs from certified solar power.
• University of California has made numerous large-scale investments in green power, including long-term power purchase agreements for 80 megawatts of with solar energy projects in California’s Central Valley that began to come online in 2016 and represent the largest solar purchase ever made by a university in the United States.
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville became the largest college or university green power user in the partnership as of 2016, purchasing more than 250 million kilowatt hours of green power annually.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Green Power Partnership (GPP) in 2001 to protect human health and the environment by increasing organizations’ voluntary green power use to advance the American market for green power and development of those resources. The program provides a framework that includes credible usage benchmarks, market information, technical assistance, and public recognition to companies and other organizations that use green power.
Citation Issued for Violating Deer Carcass Transportation Regulations
10/20/2017 2:59:59 PM
From MDWFP
DESOTO COUNTY – On October 17, 2017, conservation officers of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) issued a citation to a DeSoto County man for violating 40 Miss. Admin. Code, Part 2, Rule 2.7, Prohibition on Cervid Carcass Importation.
The DeSoto County resident had recently traveled to Wyoming to hunt mule deer. After his return to Mississippi, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department contacted the hunter to inform him that the mule deer he harvested in Wyoming had tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The positive result was confirmed by the Wyoming State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Laramie, Wyoming. Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal neurological disease that affects cervids (white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, caribou, red deer, sika deer, and fallow deer).
After being notified by Wyoming that his deer had tested positive for CWD, the DeSoto County resident contacted the MDWFP. Conservation officers were dispatched to collect the remains of the deer. The mule deer had not been processed as required by the regulation; therefore, the officers issued the citation.
The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks passed the carcass importation regulation in May of 2016, in an effort to prevent the introduction of CWD into Mississippi. Similar restrictions are in place in other states.
“It is our duty to protect the state’s natural resources, and the public health, safety, and welfare,” stated Colonel Steve Adcock, Chief of Law Enforcement for the MDWFP. Adcock went on to say, “this regulation will hopefully help us to prevent something catastrophic from occurring here in Mississippi.”
Hunters are encouraged to review Mississippi’s rules on lawful transportation of trophies or meat from animals harvested out of state, before bringing these items into Mississippi.
To date, no cases of CWD have been confirmed in Mississippi.
