State
City takes another step towards demolishing, clearing Kuhn Hospital site
Vicksburg Post
The city has cleared another hurdle to take down Kuhn Memorial Hospital.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen Friday approved an agreement with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality that allows DEQ oversight over the project to remove asbestos, raze the buildings on the property and clear it of debris.
Lincoln County gets $50K grant for tire recycling program
Daily Leader
Lincoln County has been awarded a $50,000 waste tire grant to continue a local tire collection program.
It’s not guaranteed from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, but it comes often enough that supervisors rely on it.
Accident sends chicken parts flying across part of Interstate 20
WLBT
A two-hour cleanup effort shut down part of Interstate 20 West Monday night after an accident sent chicken parts flying across the roadway.
...The accident shut down Interstate 20 West near mile marker 47 until nearly midnight, with crews from the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the state's Department of Environmental Quality ensuring the debris had been safely removed.
Lafayette County Utility Authority aims to improve infrastructure
Oxford Eagle
Legislation for the new Lafayette County Utility Authority is expected to pass in the next couple weeks, and with that comes the hope of improved infrastructure, according to supervisor Kevin Frye.
Aldermen seek proposals for new waste collection company
Natchez Democrat
NATCHEZ — Waste companies can now submit their proposals to become Natchez’s next waste and recycling hauler.
Wildlife Department receives more CWD test results
Clarion Ledger
Following last week's announcement by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks that the initial batch of chronic wasting disease test results came back negative, results from a second batch of tests were released this week.
Floodwaters taking a toll
Vicksburg Post
The boat had just pulled away from the shore and was entering a deeper channel of the flooded area off Haining Road when Reed Birdsong pointed out the location.
Lamar County solar panel plant to serve 55 counties
WDAM
Cooperative Energy's new solar energy plant in Lamar County is expected to produce power all over Mississippi.
State Government
STATE EMPLOYEES' UNION SEEKS PAY INCREASE
MPB
Members of a state employees union are calling on legislators to pass an across the board raise this legislative session.
Rankin County voters fill House District 60 seat
WLBT
Rankin County voters decide who will fill the House District 60 seat in a special run-off election.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE DEBT DEAL BILL
WCBI
JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Give us our tuition or give us your taxes. That’s the choice some Mississippi community college students can make.
National
EPA Clears the Air for Polluters With U.S. Factory Emissions Rules
Bloomberg
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has issued a new directive that clarifies a powerful but technical facet of the Clean Air Act, completing a trifecta of high-profile changes to the way EPA oversees conventional air pollution.
EPA Chief Signals Showdown With California on Fuel Emission Standards
Bloomberg
The Trump administration’s chief environmental regulator signaled a coming showdown with California, warning the state won’t dictate the future of ambitious automobile fuel economy regulations enacted by the Obama administration.
EPA settlement with bankrupt Philadelphia refinery roils biofuels market
Reuters
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant a bankrupt Philadelphia refiner relief from the nation’s biofuel laws drew critics on Tuesday who say it sets a bad precedent.
These 3 oil companies agree to pay $196 M for pollution in N.J.
NJ.com
Three large oil companies have agreed to pay New Jersey nearly $200 million in settlements over a pollution lawsuit that has stretched on for more than a decade.
Opinion
EPA director paid by 'poop train' conductor
John Archibald
Al.com
Don't worry Alabama. You're in good hands.
The guy who oversees the whole Southeastern arm of the Environmental Protection Agency - the man charged with making sure your water is clean enough to drink and your air doesn't smell like the caboose of a North Birmingham poop train - is on the job.
Press Releases
EPA Clarifies NSR Project Evaluations, Removes Obstacles to Reducing Pollution
EPA to base emission control requirements on real world impacts
03/13/2018
WASHINGTON (March 13, 2018) — Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt issued a guidance memorandum clarifying the process for evaluating projects under the major New Source Review (NSR) program.
