State
Jackson County will aid cities with Nate debris removal
WLOX
JACKSON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -Streets in all four Jackson County cities are still littered with debris from Hurricane Nate more than three weeks after the storm. But, help is now on the way. County supervisors voted Monday to lead the charge when it comes to getting rid of the ugly piles of junk. That news is being met with relief by residents.
Led by first lady Bynum, recycling effort revs up for greener campus, cleaner communities
JSU
Although “blue and white” traditionally blankets the university, first lady Deborah Bynum and other leaders are urging everyone to also embrace “green” and join a recycling effort that, ultimately, will expand to all JSU campuses.
OYSTER SEASON BEGINS NOVEMBER 6TH
WXXV
Oyster season in the western portion of the Mississippi Sound will begin Monday, November 6th at legal sunrise.
Oil Spill
Leave your gun at home if you’re going to the Coast Coliseum — even if you have a permit
Sun Herald
BILOXI
Those who attend concerts or events at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center will need to leave their weapons at home.
BP earnings rise amid cost cuts, output increase
AP
BP's third quarter net earnings rose 9.2 percent as the energy company cut costs and increased production to adjust to lower oil prices.
Regional
DEQ orders Chemours to capture more wastewater containing GenX
WECT
RALEIGH, NC (WECT) -Citing findings in an Environmental Protection Agency report, the NC Department of Environmental Quality has ordered the Chemours Company to capture additional industrial wastewater at its Fayetteville Works site instead of releasing it into the Cape Fear River.
National
Carbon dioxide levels grow at record pace: meteorologists
The Hill
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere surged last year at the highest pace in hundreds of thousands of years, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said Monday.
In unprecedented move, EPA to block scientists who get agency funding from serving as advisers
Washington Post
Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, is poised to make wholesale changes to the agency’s key advisory group by jettisoning scientists who have received grants from the EPA and replacing them with industry experts and state government officials.
EPA cleanup of Pillsbury site nearly complete; lawsuits pending
State Journal-Register (IL)
The nine-month, $1.8 million cleanup at the former Pillsbury plant in Springfield -- including tons of asbestos-contaminated debris -- should be completed this week with removal of barrels containing waste oil and other chemicals.
Advocacy groups: EPA not doing enough to protect Lake Erie
AP
Environmental advocates who sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency because they believe not enough is being done to address the toxic algae problem in Lake Erie said they think the agency's response to the suit only bolsters their argument.
71 Michigan water systems now have higher lead levels than Flint
MLive
FLINT, MI -- Seventy-one water systems in Michigan now have higher lead levels than the city of Flint, results of the most recent federally-required testing shows.
Labor Department to appeal ruling against overtime expansion
The Hill
The Department of Labor is appealing a Texas judge’s decision to toss out an Obama-era rule that would have extended overtime pay to some 4 millions Americans.
Press Releases
EPA Announces Selections for 2017 Environmental Justice Small Grants
10/30/2017
Contact Information:
WASHINGTON (October 30, 2017) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $1.2 million in competitive grants selected for award to 36 local-based community and tribal organizations working to address environmental justice (EJ) issues in their communities. The grants enable these organizations to conduct research, provide education, and develop community-driven solutions to local health and environmental issues in minority, low-income, and tribal communities.
EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) provide critical support to organizations that otherwise lack the funding and resources to address environmental challenges in their community. The 2017 grants will help organizations in 30 states and Puerto Rico to carry out projects that will: educate residents about environmental issues that may impact their health; collect data about local environmental conditions; and work collaboratively to address environmental justice challenges in their communities.
The grants not only support activities that address a range of community concerns, but also activities that educate and empower youth and the next generation of leaders in STEM-related job sectors and environmental stewardship. Specific grant projects will focus on: reducing exposure to lead and other water pollutants; developing green infrastructure and sustainable agriculture projects; implementing basic energy efficiency measures in low-income households; and increasing overall community resiliency.
In an effort to increase outreach to affected communities in U.S.states and territories, the 2017 EJSG program placed special emphasis on proposals from under-represented states that have been awarded three or fewer EJSGs over the last five years. Of the 36 total projects selected, 23 are from underrepresented states (64%). The agency will make final awards upon successful completion of the award application process.
Mississippi oyster season to begin Nov. 6
BILOXI, Miss. – Oyster season in the western portion of the Mississippi Sound will begin Monday, Nov. 6, at legal sunrise, officials with the state Department of Marine Resources announced Monday. The Commission on Marine Resources originally set the start date on Monday, Nov. 13. However, oyster seasons in Louisiana and Texas are scheduled to begin that day, and MDMR officials believe that by opening earlier, local fishermen will make more money per sack.
At the September meeting, commissioners approved a 30 percent quota limit for these reefs in order to help rebuild them, which remains in effect. The daily limit for tonging is 15 sacks, and the limit for dredging is 20 sacks.
For more information, call the MDMR Oyster Hotline at 228-374-5167 or 1-800-385-5902
