State
Officials can’t say why 3 Coast kids died from DIPG. That’s not enough for their parents.
Sun Herald
State regulators have found no evidence — so far — to suggest pollutants are to blame for an elevated number of cases of a rare and deadly brain tumor in Ocean Springs children.
MDEQ investigated contaminants at 11 Ocean Springs facilities during probe into DIPG
Sun Herald
The state Department of Environmental Quality’s review of known contamination sites in Ocean Springs revealed no evidence of environmental factors “negatively” impacting residents there, according to MDEQ spokesman, Robbie Wilbur.
Sewer improvement project underway in Hattiesburg
WDAM
Three Hattiesburg neighborhoods will see improvements with their sewer systems in the next year.
Hattiesburg officials announce $1 million sewer project
Hattiesburg American
It's going to take time — and patience — but some Hattiesburg residents will have new sewer lines in the coming months.
Oil Spill
LSU gets millions in BP oil settlement money to study how to make drilling in Gulf safer
The Advocate
Louisiana researchers are getting the lion's share of $10.8 million of BP oil settlement money to figure out ways to make offshore drilling safer and prevent disasters like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill.
National
Pruitt: EPA to replace Obama climate rule
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committing to pursue a replacement climate change rule for power plants after repealing the Obama administration’s regulation on the matter, agency head Scott Pruitttold a House Energy and Commerce Committee panel on Thursday.
EPA head: Anti-greenhouse gas declaration involved 'breach of process'
The Hill
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt said Thursday the Obama administration erred when it formally declared greenhouse gases a dangerous pollutant worthy of regulations in 2009.
California, 13 other states sue EPA over smog levels
SF Chronicle
California and 13 other states sued the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday for ignoring an Oct. 1 deadline to update the nation’s map of areas with unhealthy smog levels, saying the delay is endangering children and people who suffer from lung disease.
EPA chief says public climate debate may be launched in January
Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could launch a public debate about climate change as soon as January, Administrator Scott Pruitt said on Thursday, as the agency unwinds Obama-era initiatives to fight global warming.
EPA chief defends spending on travel and soundproof booth
AP
Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt on Thursday defended his frequent taxpayer-funded travel and his purchase of a custom soundproof communications booth for his office, saying both were justified.
Senate confirms two Interior, EPA nominees
The Hill
The Senate on Thursday confirmed two of President Trump’s environmental nominees. Joe Balash was confirmed as assistant secretary for land and minerals management at the Interior Department, and Susan Bodine was confirmed to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, which oversees enforcement of pollution laws.
Most accurate climate change models predict the most alarming consequences, study finds
Washington Post
The climate change simulations that best capture current planetary conditions are also the ones that predict the most dire levels of human-driven warming, according to a statistical study released in the journal Nature on Wednesday.
Missouri Air Conservation Commission approves plan to show EPA that Jefferson County air is cleaner
KWMU
Jefferson County is one step closer to attaining the federal clean air standard for sulfur dioxide, a noxious gas that can cause asthma and respiratory illness.
Outdoor-Recreation Companies Fight Trump on National Monuments
In battle over Utah sites, Patagonia and REI join usual coalition of conservation groups and Indian tribes
WSJ
In the West’s storied land battles, conservation groups and Indian tribes often team up to fight industries over policies they deem harmful to the environment. After President Donald Trump downsized two Utah national monuments this week, they were joined by one industry that’s on their side: the outdoor-recreation business.
Opinion
Think the BP money should be spent on the Coast? Here’s what you should do
Sun Herald
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and the Coast legislative delegation need your help.
Ethanol Hostages on Capitol Hill
Energy policy favoritism imperils Trump’s nominees—again.
WSJ
Trump Administration’s nominees should enjoy an easy path to Senate confirmation, given GOP control of Congress and the White House. But the federal government’s warped ethanol policy is pitting corn-state Republicans against refinery-state Republicans, and the conflict has devolved into a hostage crisis involving several Trump nominees.
Press Releases
Administrator Pruitt Meets with National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
12/07/2017
(photo includes MDEQ’s Melissa Collier)
WASHINGTON — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt met with the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) to discuss Fiscal Year 2018 priorities including guidelines for meaningful public participation and EPA’s Superfund Task Force recommendations.
U.S. Senate Confirms Susan Bodine to Lead EPA Enforcement Office
12/07/2017
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt praised the U.S. Senate’s action to confirm, by voice vote, Susan Bodine, to serve as the assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA).
National Academies’ Gulf Research Program Awards $10.8 Million to Address Systemic Risk in Offshore Oil and Gas Operations
WASHINGTON – The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced awards for six new projects totaling $10.8 million. All six projects involve research to develop new technologies, processes, or procedures that could result in improved understanding and management of systemic risk in offshore oil and gas operations.
