Tuesday, February 28, 2017

News Clippings 2/28/17

State

 

Neighbors mark the maze of bayous in the lower Pascagoula River

Sun Herald

MOSS POINT 

Some of the names are a little funky — Haulover Bayou, Crooked and Chemise bayous, Lake Catch-em-all — but the local fishermen know them.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/jackson-county/article135236124.html

 

Wildlife Mississippi accepting seed orders

Clarion Ledger

If you want to add forage to your land for deer, turkeys and other wildlife, Wildlife Mississippi is offering low-cost seeds to improve wildlife habitat.

Fossil Road Show

The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science invites you to bring your fossil discoveries to the Fossil Road Show. Expert opinions from scientists will be given on the fossil's age and identification.

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/2017/02/27/wildlife-mississippi-accepting-seed-orders/98470352/

 

Here’s why a rubbish fire might be a bad idea, even on a pretty day

Sun Herald

HARRISON COUNTY 

A fast-moving woods fire on Sunday destroyed an unoccupied, single-story house off Cable Bridge Road in west Harrison County.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article135202604.html

 

National

 

Trump moves toward repealing Obama EPA water rule

The Hill

President Trump will order the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday to formally review former President Barack Obama’s Clean Water Rule, kicking off the process of eliminating or significantly changing the rule.

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/321490-trump-moves-toward-repealing-obama-epa-water-rule

 

Trump ordering review of Obama rule protecting small streams

AP

WASHINGTON 

President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Tuesday mandating a review of an Obama-era rule aimed at protecting small streams and wetlands from development and pollution.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article135392689.html

 

Trump to propose 24 percent cut in EPA spending: reports

The Hill

The Trump administration plans to propose a one-forth to cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget, a plan that would end up laying off 20 percent of the agency’s staffers, according to reports. 

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/321481-trump-to-propose-24-percent-cut-in-epa-spending-reports

 

Interior backs off claim about jobs saved by coal rule change

The Hill

The Interior Department has removed an employment estimate from a blog post about an old coal mining rule after questions about the figure’s validity. 

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/321412-interior-removes-jobs-claim-from-coal-mining-blog-post

 

Records show EPA's Pruitt used private email, despite denial at confirmation hearing

AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt occasionally used private email to communicate with staff while serving as Oklahoma's attorney general, despite telling Congress that he had always used a state email account for government business.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/ap/ap_nation/records-show-epa-s-pruitt-used-private-email-despite-denial/article_ab5e62e9-d377-5e14-bc3e-555014fcea99.html

 

Monsanto Cancer Suits Turn to EPA Deputy's 'Suspicious' Role

Bloomberg

A former Environmental Protection Agency official may not be able to escape testifying about his alleged role in helping Monsanto Co. suppress inquiries into whether its Roundup weed killer causes cancer.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-27/monsanto-cancer-suits-turn-to-alleged-whitewash-by-epa-official

 

New regs for Tuesday: Ozone, gas, nuclear

The Hill

Ozone: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving forward with new rules for ozone-depleting substances, despite President Trump’s regulatory moratorium.

http://thehill.com/regulation/321311-new-regs-for-tuesday-ozone-gas-nuclear

 

Monday, February 27, 2017

News Clippings 2/27/17

State

 

DEQ samples near Cherokee Forest are clean, but video shows otherwise

Sun Herald

BY WESLEY MULLER

PASCAGOULA 

The air in Pascagoula’s Cherokee Forest neighborhood appears to be clean and healthy, according to the latest results of air sampling by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. But one pollutant the agency didn’t test for was caught by a resident traveling through the air.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/jackson-county/article134735769.html

 

MDEQ air tests not enough for neighbors living near Bayou Cassotte

WLOX

PASCAGOULA, MS (WLOX) -Air quality has been a concern for citizens living near the Bayou Cassotte Industrial Park for some time.

http://www.wlox.com/story/34601267/mdeq-air-tests-not-enough-for-neighbors-living-near-bayou-cassotte

 

Hercules works toward settlement with residents

Hattiesburg American

Officials from Hercules/Ashland are in the process of negotiating a settlement with several Hattiesburg residents regarding a complaint filed with the United States District Court in 2014.

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/02/26/hercules-works-toward-settlement-residents/98447538/

 

Evacuations canceled after 'dead' hydrogen sulfide line hit in Rankin County

Utility crew hits gas line on Johns-Maton Road

WAPT

RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. —Evacuations were canceled Friday after it was determined that a hydrogen sulfide line hit by a utility company was a "dead line," Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said.

https://wapt.relaymedia.com/amp/article/hazardous-gas-leak-leads-to-evacuations-in-area-of-rankin-county/8976217

 

Recycling in City of Natchez continues

Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Although Adams County is ending its curbside recycling program, the City of Natchez is continuing its program and plans to host a meeting in April to discuss the future of recycling in the Miss-Lou. http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2017/02/27/recycling-in-city-of-natchez-continues/

 

58th Annual Gem and Mineral Show takes place at the Mississippi Trademart

WLBT

JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -This weekend was the 58th annual Gem and Mineral Show.

http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/34609606/58th-annual-gem-and-mineral-show-takes-place-at-the-mississippi-trademart

 

MISSISSIPPI REGION VI SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR

WXXV

One hypothesis that proved correct for anyone who took a visit to the regional science fair in Biloxi this morning was that the students in South Mississippi are pretty sharp.
http://wxxv25.com/2017/02/24/mississippi-region-vi-science-engineering-fair/

 

'A NEW DAY' IN KEMPER COUNTY

Despite delays, power plant yields economic benefits for area, officials say

Meridian Star

Kemper County officials say taxes derived from Mississippi Power's Kemper Energy Facility has allowed the county to embark on projects never before imagined.

http://www.meridianstar.com/news/local_news/a-new-day-in-kemper-county/article_39f1e5dd-29c5-5072-84eb-4db5315374c8.html

 

Scenic Rivers releases outdoor events schedule

Enterprise-Journal

Here’s a schedule of upcoming events from Scenic Rivers Development Alliance, is a regional alliance to promote natural resources, recreational activities and events.  

http://www.enterprise-journal.com/sports/outdoors/article_e1aa4b38-fbd9-11e6-ab96-4b98d35ba5ab.html

 

Hart plans county cleanup day

Picayune Item

Pearl River County District I Supervisor Donald Hart is planning a county-wide cleanup day for March 25.
http://www.picayuneitem.com/2017/02/hart-plans-county-cleanup-day/

 

Cooper Tire ‘Dream Team’ visits Ole Miss

Oxford Eagle

Expanding upon an already solid relationship with the University of Mississippi, the Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. “Dream Team” visited the university’s Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

http://www.oxfordeagle.com/2017/02/26/cooper-tire-dream-team-visits-ole-miss/

 

Key committee keeps governor’s power bills alive

By Bobby Harrison

Daily Journal Jackson Bureau

JACKSON – Legislation that would give the governor control of more than 60 boards that regulate multiple professions passed a key hurdle Friday morning.

http://djournal.com/news/key-committee-keeps-governors-power-bills-alive/

 

Oil Spill

 

Chism cries foul on Senate BP money bill

Commercial Dispatch

 

A local state representative is raising concerns about a bill that would channel payments from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement to a fund for projects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 

 

http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=56534

 

Regional

 

To rebuild the coast, Louisiana must show its river diversions won’t kill native dolphins

The Advocate

When asked to list the major hurdles facing Louisiana’s 50-year plan to rebuild its coast, state officials have pointed to a menu of truly massive challenges, from rapidly rising seas to finding the money for the $92 billion effort.

http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/environment/article_574a752e-fac8-11e6-979f-371b084310f9.html

 

Alabama's historic Gee's Bend Ferry going all-electric

AP

MONTGOMERY, ALA. 

One of Alabama's best-known boats is going green.

Officials say the Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a more than $1 million grant to convert the diesel-powered Gee's Bend Ferry into a battery-powered electric vessel.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article134953849.html

 

National

 

EPA chief calls for 'aggressive' rollback of regulations at CPAC

The Hill

Newly minted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt on Saturday spoke of an "aggressive" agenda of regulatory rollbacks, criticizing the previous Obama administration for being “so focused on climate change."

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/321188-scott-pruitt-calls-for-aggressive-rollbacks-of-environmental

 

Aggressive cuts to Obama-era green rules to start soon: EPA head

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration will begin rolling back Obama-era environmental regulations in an "aggressive way" as soon as next week, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency said on Saturday - adding he understood why some Americans want to see his agency eliminated completely.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-epa-idUSKBN1640S9

 

Trump to ask for major cuts to EPA, increased spending for military

NY Times

WASHINGTON — President Trump will instruct federal agencies on Monday to assemble a budget for the coming fiscal year that includes sharp increases in Defense Department spending and drastic enough cuts to domestic agencies that he can keep his promise to leave Social Security and Medicare alone, according to four senior administration officials.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2017/02/26/trump-ask-for-major-cuts-epa-increased-spending-for-military/bRLCI3ye7Ym0F4SNUNXo4H/story.html

 

New EPA chief delays mining rule after industry objects

AP

BILLINGS, Mont. — The Trump administration has delayed consideration of a proposal to require companies to prove they have the financial wherewithal to clean up polluted mining sites after a pushback from industry groups and Western-state Republicans.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/new-epa-chief-delays-mining-rule-after-industry-objects/article_c1543555-38f3-52f1-8e13-e5abf3f71c77.html

 

Permits, Flint, Burnt Scalp Among E-Mail Complaints EPA Neglected

Bloomberg

Complaints requesting EPA help on issues from drinking water safety to alleged illegal oil dumps waited more than a year for the agency to read them.

https://www.bna.com/permits-flint-burnt-n57982084397/

 

EPA chief picking conservative lawyer for top policy job

Axios

New EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is picking an ally from his fights against EPA rules to head the agency's Office of Policy, a person familiar with the decision tells Axios.

https://www.axios.com/epa-chief-taps-conservative-movement-lawyer-for-top-policy-job-2283075088.html

 

Week ahead: Confirmation votes lined up for Energy, Interior picks

The Hill

The Senate is set to resume work on confirming President Trump's Cabinet nominees in the coming week, including two in the energy and environment sphere.

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/321070-week-ahead-confirmation-votes-lined-up-for-energy-interior-picks

 

Poison vapor evacuations increase as old chemical threats resurface

Mlive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- It was a Thursday night, May 19, 2016, when Seeds of Promise got a very unsettling call from the Kent County Health Department. The building where the Grand Rapids nonprofit operates was being infiltrated with poisonous gas seeping in through cracks in the foundation.

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/02/michigan_vapor_intrusion_deq.html

 

New regs for Monday: Food, water, education

The Hill

Water: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declined to issue new safe drinking water rules.

The EPA was considering a petition to “prohibit the purposeful addition of fluoridation chemicals to U.S. water supplies,” which it received in November, but said Friday it is declining the request.

http://thehill.com/regulation/320990-new-regs-for-monday-food-water-education

 

Opinion

 

The Carbon Tax Chimera

The Shultz-Baker proposal sounds better than it would work.

WSJ

The climate may change but one thing that never does is the use of climate change as a political wedge against Republicans. Also never changing is the call from some Republicans to neutralize the issue by handing more economic power to the federal government through a tax on carbon. The risk is that Donald Trump takes up the idea, which would hurt the economy with little benefit to the environment.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-carbon-tax-chimera-1487979109

 

Press Releases

Calculating Chemical Exposures During the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response and Clean-up

By Charlie PlainFebruary 24, 2017

When the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, more than 50,000 clean-up workers responded to the disaster. Many were exposed to chemicals released into the air from crude oil, burning of the oil, and dispersants used to break up the oil. Until recently, estimating their exposure has been difficult, mainly because the air samplers worn by many workers lacked the sensitivity to detect some chemicals and because measurements for particular chemicals were not available for all groups of workers. To address this knowledge gap, researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health have developed a new statistical method for calculating the workers’ chemical exposures.

A study of the new method was published in the Annals of Work Exposures and Health. The work is a component of the GuLF STUDY being conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences investigating potential adverse health effects among the oil spill response and clean-up workers.

“It’s really important for us to know what the exposures were for workers who carried out specific jobs or tasks during the response and clean-up effort,” says lead author and biostatistics doctoral student Carrie Groth. “Our method allows us to estimate exposures in scenarios where our measurements indicated that the exposures were below the lowest level the laboratory could determine (known as a limit of detection (LOD)) but where we have measurements on related chemicals that can be used to inform the exposure of the chemical of interest. Furthermore, we can also predict exposures when measurements for particular chemicals are unavailable for some workers.”

During the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the incident area spanned several states — including 1,100 miles of coastline — so it wasn’t possible to monitor all workers or environments and every kind of chemical that the workers may have encountered.

In many instances, however, pieces of the exposure puzzle are known, such as measurements for some chemicals and the presence of similar chemicals. This model uses linear relationships between two chemicals among some workers to better inform exposure to the chemical of interest while accounting for measurements below the LOD. This relationship can then be used to predict exposure for cases where chemical measurements were not taken for other workers.

The method is particularly valuable for estimating “censored chemicals,” which are the chemicals that were likely present, but at levels too low to be detected by the laboratory method (below the LOD). Quantifying censored chemicals is important because low levels could still have as yet unknown or synergistic health effects.

“Environmental health scientists and industrial hygienists can use this new approach because it allows them to work with multiple-chemical scenarios in a new way to more accurately account for levels that are too low for detection with current technology,” says Groth.

As part of the GuLF STUDY, Groth and her co-researchers now plan to use the method to provide exposure estimates for workers enrolled in the cohort study whose exposures varied based on the time period that they were involved in the response and clean-up effort, the geographical location of their work, their tasks, and other work characteristics.

http://www.sph.umn.edu/news/calculating-chemical-exposures-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-response-clean/

 

 

 

Friday, February 24, 2017

News Clippings 2/24/17

State

 

City says consent decree deadline will be met

Northside Sun

Jackson city leaders say they expect to meet a February deadline associated with the city’s $400 million sewer consent decree.

http://northsidesun.com/news/city-says-consent-decree-deadline-will-be-met#sthash.ZVtOrh4U.dpbs

 

 

Sewer system repairs to be more than $1M

Vicksburg Post

The cost to begin repairs on Vicksburg’s sewer system is expected to run over $1 million, city officials learned Tuesday.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2017/02/23/sewer-system-repairs-to-be-more-than-1m/

 

Tornado debris removal nearing final phase in Petal

WDAM

PETAL, MS (WDAM) -The cleanup in Petal from the deadly Jan. 21 tornado is entering its final phase for the city.

http://www.wdam.com/story/34589734/tornado-debris-removal-nearing-final-phase-in-petal

 

Jackson water stakeholders meet

WLBT

PEARL, MS (Mississippi News Now) -Major water outages are expected in the city of Jackson next month. A 48-inch water line will have to be turned off to make repairs.

http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/34587911/jackson-water-stakeholders-meet

 

Don Christy to lead YMD Water Management District

Delta Farm Press

Don Christy, a Jackson, Miss., native who has spent much of his career working on water-related issues across the Southeast, has been named the new executive director of the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Water Management District.

http://www.deltafarmpress.com/water/don-christy-lead-ymd-water-management-district

 

Cat Island set to grow, but prospects dim for Biloxi amusement park

Sun Herald

 

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann on Thursday took members of the Gulfport Rotary Club on a aerial tour of Cat and Deer islands, showing where a sand renourishment project will expand Cat Island this summer.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article134623199.html

 

County garbage pickup stinks

Daily Leader

The Lincoln County Board of Supervisors has heard complaints from residents about Waste Pro, and on Tuesday Waste Pro heard from the board.

http://www.dailyleader.com/2017/02/23/county-garbage-pickup-stinks/

 

Oil Spill

 

Changes weighed for Deepwater Horizon plan

News4Jax

Money from the Deepwater Horizon disaster settlement may be used to market Northwest Florida and for broad economic development projects, under changes to a pair of bills before the House Select Committee on Triumph Gulf Coast.

http://www.news4jax.com/money/changes-weighed-for-deepwater-horizon-plan

 

National

 

Kushner, Ivanka Trump Pushed to Remove Words Critical of Climate Deal From Executive Order

President plans to issue orders aimed at rolling back Obama climate agenda soon

WSJ

WASHINGTON—At the request of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his wife, Ivanka Trump, language critical of a global climate deal was struck from an executive order that Mr. Trump is planning to sign soon, according to multiple people familiar with the move.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/ivanka-trump-jared-kushner-pushed-to-remove-language-critical-of-climate-deal-from-executive-order-1487889272

 

With electricity out, new EPA chief reached out to lobbyist

AP

When a summer thunderstorm knocked out power to Scott Pruitt's home three years ago, the then-attorney general of Oklahoma reached out to a lobbyist for American Electric Power.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/electricity-epa-chief-reached-lobbyist-45680285

 

VW exec pleads innocent in diesel case

USA Today

DETROIT -- Oliver Schmidt, a key figure in the government's investigation into Volkswagen's diesel emissions scandal, pleaded not guilty in federal court here.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2017/02/24/vw-exec-pleads-innocent-diesel-case/98343292/

 

Pruitt, EPA Working on Ways to Speed Up New Chemical Review Process

Bloomberg

A backlog of chemicals needing EPA approval has doubled in the past eight months—a jam chemical manufacturers say is significant to an industry that depends on creating new products.

https://www.bna.com/pruitt-epa-working-n57982084332/

 

More Households Will Struggle to Pay Water, Sewer Bills: EPA

Bloomberg

The number of households that are unable to pay their sewer and water bills could more than double in the next 10 years, an Environmental Protection Agency official said Feb. 22.

https://www.bna.com/households-struggle-pay-n57982084256/

Landowners say EPA botched cleanup, now they want a shot

AP

OPPORTUNITY, Mont. (AP) - George Niland wonders whether he should wear a respirator when he mows his lawn. Serge Myers laments not being able to garden in his backyard. Rob Phillips puzzles over why his 22 acres have been marked as an unblemished island surrounded by a sea of contamination.

http://www.wlox.com/story/34591880/landowners-say-epa-botched-cleanup-now-they-want-a-shot

 

Groups Sue EPA to Protect Wild Salmon From Climate Change

Reuters

 U.S. fishing and conservation groups sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday, seeking to protect wild salmon threatened by rising water temperatures attributed in part to climate change in two major rivers of the Pacific Northwest.

https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2017-02-23/groups-sue-epa-to-protect-wild-salmon-from-climate-change

 

Researchers ask: Can people look to maps to avoid storms?

Al.com

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. 

"We didn't know it was coming."

April Taylor heard that again and again, and she didn't understand it.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/technology/article134446559.html

 

Opinion

 

Red State rural America is acting on climate change

AP

President Donald Trump has the environmental community understandably concernedHe and members of his Cabinet have questioned the established science of climate change, and his choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency, former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, has sued the EPA many times and regularly sided with the fossil fuel industry.

http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2017/02/red_state_rural_america_is_act.html#incart_river_index

 

Thursday, February 23, 2017

News Clippings 2.23.17

State

 

Workers Warned Of Air Quality Problems At Borg

North Mississippi Herald

WATER VALLEY – A year has passed since the decades old contamination in Water Valley from the former Colt Industries/Holley Carburetor facility in Water Valley attracted renewed scrutiny from the Mississippi Department of Environ-mental Quality and now a new wrinkle has surfaced. 

       

http://yalnews.com/v2/content.aspx?module=contentitem&ID=421021&MemberID=1175&Title=workers-warned-of-air-quality-problems-at-borg&Postback=1

 

Jackson's wastewater wait and see

Anna Wolfe

Clarion Ledger

On Tuesday, Jackson City Councilman Melvin Priester took to Facebook, posting a helpful guide to Jackson's water and wastewater issues — a conversation in which open communication is often stifled by legal issues.

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/politicalledger/2017/02/22/jacksons-wastewater-wait-and-see/98261118/

 

Interim Wildlife director tenders resignation

Clarion Ledger

After less than two months on the job as Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Wildlife Bureau director, Ed Penny has resigned.

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/outdoors/2017/02/23/interim-wildlife-director-resignation/98198868/

 

Floodplain open house debuts preliminary federal flood zones

Monroe Journal

AMORY – An open house honed in on countywide, citywide and individualized views of properties in and out of federally deemed flood zones Feb. 16 at the Monroe County Government Complex. It was the first step in a series of measures that could potentially mean flood insurance being required or recommended for some Monroe County property owners if local governments adopt them.
http://djournal.com/monroe/2017/02/22/floodplain-open-house-debuts-preliminary-federal-flood-zones/

 

Cleanup, debris removal ongoing in Petal after tornado

Hattiesburg American

PETAL - Cleanup and debris removal in Petal following the Jan. 21 tornado is progressing, Mayor Hal Marx said Tuesday night at the regular Board of Aldermen meeting.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/petal/2017/02/22/cleanup-debris-removal-ongoing-petal-after-tornado/98241354/

 

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day set for April 29

Daily Times Leader

WEST POINT, MS

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for Clay, Oktibbeha and Lowndes counties will be from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 29 at the GTR Landfill in Starkville.
http://www.dailytimesleader.com/content/household-hazardous-waste-collection-day-set-april-29

 

Kemper plant now expected in mid-March

Sun Herald

Mississippi Power now expects the Kemper energy plant to be operational using lignite coal by mid-March and then will focus on going to the state Public Service Commission to approve a rate hike.

http://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article134214664.html

 

Natural gas could cost less than coal for Kemper plant

AP

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Power Co. says the power plant it's building in Kemper County will be cheaper to run on natural gas than on its planned fuel of lignite coal unless gas prices are high.

https://www.apnews.com/amp/a93b3de125bc4162befb7ef395d07f7c

 

Southern Co.’s New ‘Clean Coal’ Plant May Not Be Cost-Efficient

Company reports sharp drop in profit

WSJ

Southern Co. said it has nearly completed a first-of-its-kind “clean coal” power plant, though a new analysis suggests it might not make sense to burn coal in it.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/southern-co-profit-falls-1487768832

 

Girls encouraged to consider engineering at MS Power event

WLOX

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -Sparking new interest in engineering with a twist is the goal of an effort led by Mississippi Power Wednesday in Gulfport.

http://www.wlox.com/story/34576514/girls-encouraged-to-consider-engineering-career-at-ms-power-event

 

Regional

 

Nashville judge ruling on hold in trial alleging Cumberland River pollution by TVA

WZTV

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--A Nashville judge is not expected to rule for at least another month in the state's first Clean Water Act lawsuit over coal ash storage to reach trial.

http://fox17.com/news/local/nashville-judge-ruling-on-hold-in-trial-alleging-cumberland-river-pollution-by-tva

 

National

 

Thousands of emails detail EPA head’s close ties to fossil fuel industry

Washington Post

In his previous role as Oklahoma’s attorney general, the Environmental Protection Agency’s new administrator regularly huddled with fossil fuel firms and electric utilities about how to combat federal environmental regulations and spoke to conservative political groups about what they called government “overreach,” according to thousands of pages of emails made public Wednesday.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/02/22/oklahoma-attorney-generals-office-releases-7500-pages-of-emails-between-scott-pruitt-and-fossil-fuel-industry/?utm_term=.e82f5293a977

 

New EPA chief’s emails reveal coordination with oil interests

The Hill

Emails from new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s tenure as Oklahoma attorney general reveal several instances of coordination between his office and oil interests in his state.

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/320590-epa-chiefs-emails-reveal-coordination-with-oil-interests

 

America’s Aging Dams Are in Need of Repair

NY Times

After two weeks that saw evacuations near Oroville, Calif., and flooding in Elko County, Nev., America’s dams are showing their age.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/23/us/americas-aging-dams-are-in-need-of-repair.html?_r=0

 

New law would reduce reporting requirements for conservation programs

Delta Farm Press

Two congressmen from opposite sides of the aisle and very different regions of the country have filed a bill aimed at making it easier for farmers to apply for conservation programs administered by USDA.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2m3vSmZ.

http://www.deltafarmpress.com/conservation/new-law-would-reduce-reporting-requirements-conservation-programs

 

Press Releases

 

Forest Management to Occur on the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge

 

 

As part of habitat management for the red-cockaded woodpecker on the Sam D.

Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in Brooksville, Mississippi, the refuge has completed the 2016 Forest Management Prescription. The prescription will address the silvicultural actions to occur and locations

of the treatments.   The prescriptions can be viewed at the refuge office or

contact the refuge’s Forester, Eddie Harsh, at (662)323-5548 for information related to this and other forest management actions.

 

 

For more information about the refuge please visit our website ( www.fws.gov/noxubee), our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/NoxubeeNWR), or call us at (662) 323-5548.

 

 

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