Monday, April 30, 2018

News Clippings April 30, 2018

State

Wet weather delays Trace Lake repairs
Daily Journal

TUPELO – It could be next year before anglers get a chance to go fishing again at Trace Lake.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks was forced to close and drain the Old Natchez Trace Lake at Trace State Park in April 2017. Landslides on the inside face of the dam of the 565-acre lake were greater than expected and will require more extensive repairs.

Community can do its part to help save endangered or threatened species
Picayune Item

From fish, amphibians and reptiles, to birds and mammals, there are several state and federally endangered and threatened animal species that live in Pearl River County.

Recycling center now open in Waveland
Sea Coast Echo

The city of Waveland on Friday unveiled its new recycling center, located behind city hall on Coleman Avenue.

Volunteers amass for biggest clean up effort of the year
Daily Journal

TUPELO – Two organizations joined efforts on Saturday to organize a swarm of volunteers from across the region to participate in the largest citywide cleanup effort of the year
Keep Tupelo Beautiful merged its “Pick It Up Tupelo” event – which usually falls on Earth Day – with the Rotary Club of Tupelo’s “10 for Tupelo” annual clean up event this year with the hopes of increasing overall attendance.

Thousands of pounds of drugs collected during national drug 'Take Back Day'
WLOX

BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -Thousands of pounds of prescription drugs were taken off the streets thanks to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). It's a bi-annual event, where you help out!

Shrimping season to remain open until May 6
Sea Coast Echo

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is extending shrimping season until 6 a.m. Sunday, May 6.

Commercial speckled trout season to close in Mississippi
AP

BILOXI, Miss. (AP) ” The commercial speckled trout season in Mississippi is closing.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources says the season will close Friday in state territorial waters at 11:59 p.m. and reopen at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 1.


State Government

Governor discusses plan to fix bridges
NewsMS

Today Governor Phil Bryant discussed the issues of roads and bridges in the state at the Bond Commission meeting. Governor Bryant, State Treasurer Lynn Fitch, Attorney General Jim Hood, and others were there to discuss their part in helping repair and replace these bridges.

Today is Confederate Memorial Day. Yes, it's still a state holiday in Mississippi.
Sun Herald

Monday is Confederate Memorial Day in Mississippi, but not all of Mississippi will stop to observe the holiday.

Facebook isn't the only one sharing your data. Mississippi does too — for cold, hard cash.
Sun Herald

The state of Mississippi is making millions off your personal information.
Just how many millions is hard to figure. The Department of Revenue said fees charged to obtain public records are reported by the Legislative Budget Office and posted online. Which is true. Sort of.


Oil Spill

Triumph awards Escambia County $3M for workforce development
PNJ

Triumph Gulf Coast voted to approve funding to quadruple Escambia County's capacity to train students for high-paying jobs in high-tech and skilled trades.

Port of Panama City poised to receive Triumph grant
News Herald

NICEVILLE — The Port of Panama City is poised to be the first entity to receive money from the Triumph Gulf Coast oil spill fund.


Regional

Trump administration proposes easing offshore safety rules
Angelle said easing the regulatory burden would save oil and gas companies an estimated $946 million over the next 10 years.
WWL

NEW ORLEANS -- The Trump administration announced plans Friday to cut back regulations the Obama administration imposed to make offshore drilling safer after the BP oil disaster.

Recycled bottles at Jazz Fest will now go toward coastal restoration, contractor says
Times-Picayune

Good news: Beverage bottles you recycle at Jazz Fest will now go toward a coastal restoration project. That wasn't the case earlier this week, according to the contractor.

State health officer says chloroprene levels in St. John air should meet federal recommendation
The Advocate

As he stood before the St. John the Baptist Parish Council on Tuesday night, Dr. Jimmy Guidry, Louisiana's state health officer, made a statement some residents had been waiting years to hear.

Groups work to reduce nutrient loss, water pollution
Jacksonville Journal Courier

Farmers, environmentalists and scientists are working together to keep valuable nutrients from washing downstream.


National

EPA watchdog confirms Scott Pruitt probes
CBS

The Environmental Protection Agency's watchdog confirmed in a letter this week that it is looking into multiple allegations leveled against EPA chief Scott Pruitt.

AP FACT CHECK: Pruitt takes credit for Obama-era cleanups
AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Scott Pruitt has something to boast about when it comes to the Environmental Protection Agency’s record on cleaning up toxic sites since he took over the agency. But it’s a boast only made possible by achievements of the Obama administration.


Projects That Threaten Species to Get EPA Help With Permitting
Bloomberg

A new EPA office will try to keep federal environmental reviews from needlessly slowing down permitting for energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects that threaten endangered species, an agency official said April 26.

Exclusive: U.S. EPA grants biofuels waiver to billionaire Icahn's oil refinery - sources
Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted a financial hardship waiver to an oil refinery owned by billionaire Carl Icahn, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, exempting the Oklahoma facility from requirements under a federal biofuels law, according to two industry sources briefed on the matter.

VW has to pay Florida $166M after emissions scandal. How should we spend the money?
Tampa Bay Times

TALLAHASSEE — Volkswagen’s diesel deception could be on its way to super-charging the future of electric vehicles in Florida, if state regulators agree.

Rauner, lawmakers in showdown over how — and how fast — to spend VW settlement
Chicago Sun Times

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s top environmental official is pressing to spend an anti-pollution windfall in the coming months, but critics say the rushed timetable is dictated not by sound policy but by the fall election.

Trump to Propose Freezing Auto Standards at 2020 Levels, Source Says
Bloomberg

U.S. regulators are poised to propose a freeze on fuel-efficiency standards at 2020 levels, according to two people familiar with the plan, which would erode an ambitious Obama-era initiative to curb planet-warming greenhouse gases.

Chemical raises concerns in wake of Superior refinery explosion, fire
Wisconsin Public Radio

Environmental monitoring is ongoing after an explosion and series of fires at Husky Energy's oil refinery in Superior, Wis., prompted an evacuation order last Thursday.

Cyanide 'bombs' used to kill coyotes, foxes under review by federal officials
USA Today

DENVER – A year after an Idaho boy was sickened and his dog killed by a cyanide "bomb," federal officials are investigating whether to ban the explosive poison devices used to kill thousands of coyotes and foxes annually.


Opinion

Our View: Programs show hope for inspiration
Commercial Dispatch
 
In recent years, it has been argued that too much emphasis has been placed on standardized tests and college-track education, to the detriment of arts and vocational programs. We've heard complaints from teachers in some districts that they feel they are expected to simply teach students to recite facts. 
 
...Each Monday after school, the students explore area waterways, spending two hours taking water samples where they measure pH samples and collect data which they share with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.


Press Releases

Mississippi’s 2018–19 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Announced

JACKSON ­– The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks considered dates for the 2018–2019 waterfowl hunting seasons during their April meeting.

Friday, April 27, 2018

News Clippings April 27, 2018

State

CEO SAYS COSTCO STILL COMING TO R’LAND
Northside Sun

Costco is still coming to Highland Colony Parkway, despite a recent ruling from the Mississippi Supreme Court.

CITY OWES MILLIONS ON BONDS TO FIX WATER SYSTEM
Northside Sun

Bonds issued to completely overhaul the city of Jackson’s water system will carry nearly $113 million in interest.

DEA to hold prescription drug “Take-Back Day” on Saturday
NewsMS

On Saturday, the DEA will partner with local law enforcement in 46 locations across Mississippi for another “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Initiative.”

Policy for Donations
Northside Sun

Monetary donations for new amenities are now permissible at the reservoir.
The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRV) board recently approved guidelines for monetary donations for the installation of benches, water fountains, dog watering stations and exercise equipment.

Toyota Mississippi adding 400 jobs
Automaker investing $170 million as it readies to build next-generation Corolla
Daily Journal

BLUE SPRINGS – Sean Suggs, the affable president of Toyota Mississippi, looked above and around the podium at some of the plant employees – team members, as the automaker calls them – and lauded their achievements.


State Government

BRYANT: LOTTERY A POSSIBILITY IN SPECIAL SESSION
WTVA

UNION COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) - Governor Phil Bryant says creating a lottery is a possibility if a legislative special session is called.

Former Viking Range Corp. pays over $2.5 million to MS after failure to comply with MDA
WLOX

Thursday, the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor (OSA) reported the Viking Range Corporation has repaid over $2.5 million to the state of Mississippi after failing to produce and maintain 250 jobs for five years at the Greenwood facility.


Regional

Memphis' largest polluter, the TVA Allen plant, retires
Commercial Appeal

A.C. Cox used to dread coming to work when it rained, especially during downpours so heavy that wet coal would clog the pipes feeding the roaring cyclone furnace at the Allen Fossil Plant. 

Hog farm's neighbors awarded $50M after suing over smells, spraying
Fox News

Families who live near a hog farm in Bladen County, N.C., have been complaining for decades about bad smells, flies and excessive chemical spraying.
But on Thursday, they finally scored a huge victory in court. A federal jury awarded the neighbors more than $50 million in damages, agreeing that the impact of the farm’s operation was so intrusive that people couldn't enjoy their rural homes.


National

Pruitt Says Attacks Are Driven by Opposition to Trump
EPA chief testifies before Congress on his disputed travel, housing and personnel practices
WSJ

WASHINGTON— Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, fought back Thursday against Democratic criticism of his spending and policies, asserting that the attacks were driven by opposition to President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Scott Pruitt admits little culpability in EPA controversies, mostly blames aides and staff
Washington Post

Scott Pruitt gave little ground Thursday as he testified before two House panels about controversial spending and management decisions he has made while at the helm of the Environmental Protection Agency, blaming aides for exorbitant spending and saying career officials signed off on other controversial decisions.

Mayor: Evacuation order lifted following refinery blast
AP

An evacuation order was lifted early Friday in northwest Wisconsin where a refinery plant explosion injured at least 11 people and sent billowing plumes of black smoke into the air.

California city wants to charge for every disposable takeout container
Fox News

While many cities across the world are banning plastic grocery bags in an effort to cut back on waste, one city in California is taking it one step further by targeting disposable containers and cups.

Press Releases

Interior Issues $188 Million in Energy Revenues to Fund Conservation and Storm Prep
GOMESA Phase-II disbursements will fund important coastal conservation, restoration and hurricane protection projects

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the Department will disburse almost $188 million to the four Gulf oil and gas producing states – Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, and their coastal political subdivisions (CPS). This represents the first disbursement under Phase II of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA). The funds are derived from qualified oil and gas leasing revenues on the Outer Continental Shelf, and disbursed in accordance with the revenue-sharing provisions of the GOMESA legislation.
“Under President Trump’s America-First energy strategy, we’ve increased energy revenue by a billion dollars nationally in the first year alone, which creates more funding for important conservation projects in the Gulf” said Secretary Zinke. “Offshore energy production means less oil needed from foreign countries and more jobs for the American people. This $188 million will be dedicated to coastal restoration and other projects important to many communities in the Gulf.”
“I am pleased to receive the GOMESA distribution that is derived from the oil and gas exploration in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. “As one of the four Gulf producing states, Alabama will use these funds wisely to protect, restore and provide public access to natural resources in our beautiful state. I appreciate the work of Congress, through GOMESA, to share these revenues with the areas most affected by Outer Continental Shelf activities.”
“Mississippi is working hard to maximize our energy resources to help lower costs for the consumer and make America energy independent,” said Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant. “This funding will help initiate projects to improve our water quality and enhance the blue economy of our Gulf Coast. I am grateful to Secretary Zinke and everyone else who made this disbursement a reality.”
“The people of Louisiana have waited for over ten years for Phase II of GOMESA to begin and for our state to start receiving a larger portion of the revenues derived off of our coast,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. “This revenue stream is one we have planned our coastal program around, and we are happy to finally be able to put it to use to help address our land loss crisis. A healthy coast is absolutely essential to a healthy oil and gas industry in Louisiana, as well as our economy overall. The dedication of these funds to address our coastal issues is the smartest investment we can make.”
“As the State of Texas continues to recover from the damage and devastating flooding that impacted 240 miles of Texas coastline, we are grateful for the GOMESA funds that will help strengthen and restore the state’s vibrant coastal region,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “We look forward to using these funds for projects that reinforce our conservation and restoration efforts, and will allow generations of Texans to enjoy.”
“More of Louisiana’s coast disappears every day,” said Senator John Neely Kennedy (R-LA). “I am glad to finally see these GOMESA dollars coming in. This money will help us restore our beautiful coast so that we can continue to provide oil, natural gas and seafood to the rest of the nation. We need every penny that we can get to fight coastal erosion and protect our coastal communities. As the oil industry becomes more robust, I expect this revenue to increase even more.”
“This funding will help restore and protect Louisiana’s coasts, and thanks to the tax reform law we passed, our state stands to receive tens of millions of dollars more for these important projects," said Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA). "I thank Secretary Zinke for his leadership and support of GOMESA, which will make a difference in Louisiana for generations to come.”
“This distribution of GOMESA funds demonstrates the importance of American energy independence,” said Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX), Vice Chair of the Energy Subcommittee. “The benefits it brings to our nation and the Gulfcoast community both economically and by powering our nation through energy are a win-win all around. I appreciate the collaboration of the federal, state and local governments in reaching this revenue sharing agreement and thank President Trump and Secretary Zinke for their leadership on this critical issue.”
“Revenue generated from offshore oil and gas leases is critically important to Alabama’s Gulf Coast, and I appreciate Secretary Zinke and the Trump Administration for their commitment to our coastal communities,” said Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL). “I have consistently fought to protect this revenue source, which is put to use on important conservation and infrastructure projects along the Gulf Coast.”
“This is great news for the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Congressman Steven Palazzo (R-MS). “The Phase II funding of GOMESA will be directly used for much needed coastal conservation, restoration, and hurricane protection. In 2020, we can look forward to an even larger increase in funding that we were able to secure as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act bill due, in no small part, to the hard work and support of Secretary Zinke, President Trump’s administration, and our Leadership in the House.”
"We have been waiting for this day for a long time. The effort to get a fair share of offshore energy revenues dates back many decades and every penny of these funds announced today will be invested in urgent coastal restoration and hurricane protection efforts to protect our communities and economy," said Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA). "Having helped draft and negotiate this law as a staffer years ago, it is especially satisfying to start to see many years of work finally pay off." 
The $188 million to be disbursed in FY 2018 is over five times more than the total amount disbursed to states and CPS during the entirety of Phase I of GOMESA, extending from FY 2009 through FY 2017. The increase in disbursements is attributable to the significant increase in the number of leases included under Phase II and the revenues these generated. Approximately $37 million was shared by states and coastal political subdivisions from the Phase I.
During FY 2017, Interior’s Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) disbursed approximately $67 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and almost $268 million to the U.S. Treasury from bonuses, rentals, and royalties paid for GOMESA leases. As required by the legislation, disbursements to the LWCF and Treasury are made in the same year of receipt; disbursements to the states and CPS are made the year following the year of receipt.
Revenue-sharing allocations and disbursement detail for the FY 2017 receipts will be published April 26, 2018, on the ONRR website at: https://www.onrr.gov.
GOMESA payments are subject to sequestration requirements under the Budget Control Act of 2011.
Interior’s Office of Natural Resources Revenue manages and ensures full payment of revenues owed for the development of the nation’s energy and natural resources on the Outer Continental Shelf and onshore Federal and Indian lands. In performing this important fiduciary role, ONRR collects an average of over $10 billion dollars in annual revenue -- one of the Federal government's largest sources of non-tax revenue.


Thursday, April 26, 2018

News Clippings April 26, 2018

State

MDEQ investigating work at Pinnacle Point site
Daily Journal

TUPELO – Site work being done on a potential $50 million project in Tupelo has drawn the attention of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

Costco coming despite ruling
Madison County Journal

RIDGELAND — Costco is still coming to town, Mayor Gene F. McGee declared on Wednesday, although re-zoning which would have allowed a detached vehicle fuel center at the proposed site off the Highland Colony Parkway was struck down by the state Supreme Court last week.

Mississippi delta city's 2-year-old sewer line fails
AP
GREENWOOD, MISS. 

A Mississippi delta city is being asked to declare a state of emergency after a sewer line has separated.

City of Hattiesburg hires three new Public Works Deputy Directors
WJTV

HATTIESBURG, Miss (WJTV) - Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker introduced the City's newest Deputy Public Works Directors at City Hall Wednesday.

City of Jackson works to resolve water bill issues, reporting $20 million in missing funds
WLBT

The City of Jackson is working to get a handle on its water billing issues, reporting up to $20 million in missing revenue after finding a third of city's residents do not get water bills.

R’land hosting May hazardous waste day
Madison County Journal

The City of Ridgeland and Keep Ridgeland Beautiful have scheduled a Household Hazardous Waste Day event for Saturday, May 12 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. 
...This event is made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

Natchez Democrat files ethics complaints regarding city trash proposals
Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Democrat has filed two ethics complaints against the City of Natchez regarding city aldermen holding closed-door reviews of proposals for the city’s new waste and recycling collection contract.

Firefighters battle vehicle junkyard fire
Daily Corinthian

Black billows of smoke reaching high into a blue sky above Corinth could be seen for miles during the noon Wednesday lunch rush hour.

Deer Island burns, but that's a good thing
WLOX

Tonight, the fire is mostly out. But earlier Wednesday, Deer Island was taken over by a raging inferno, though this fire was set on purpose by the Department of Marine Resources (DMR). The prescribed burn was conducted to bring the island back to good environmental health.

Ex-KKK member with ties to Coast changed when he saw black lives through their own eyes
Sun Herald

The story started with a tip called into the newsroom, as so many do.
The tip found its way from an editor to me: The man running Mississippi's cleanup from the BP oil spill had been an active member of the Ku Klux Klan, the caller said. Check it out, my editor said.
...His love of the outdoors and his determination to transform himself led to a career with the Mississippi Department of Environment Quality and, eventually, USES.


Oil Spill

Sunlight weakens chemical dispersants used to cleanup oil spills, research shows
Times-Picayune

The more sunny the day, the less effective the controversial chemicals used to cleanup large oil spills. That's according to new research showing that sunlight greatly diminishes the potency of oil dispersants, including the ones sprayed across vast areas of the Gulf of Mexico during the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010.

BP Names Oil Industry Veteran Helge Lund as Chairman
Norwegian previously ran Statoil and BG Group
WSJ

BP PLC has appointed energy industry veteran Helge Lund as its next chairman as the oil giant seeks to move past the Deepwater Horizon disaster and get to grips with a fast-changing industry.


Regional

Alabama passed state coal ash rules: What's in them?
Al.com

Coal ash in Alabama will likely soon be regulated in the state just like many other pollutants. 
Alabama became the third state to approve a state-level program to manage coal ash last week, after Oklahoma and Georgia. 

Volkswagen settlement money to help buy cleaner emission Louisiana school buses
The Advocate

Volkswagen will be picking up as much as half the tab when Louisiana school districts purchase new buses following the company's agreement to spend billions of dollars in settlements for trying to dupe environmental regulators.

Poisonous Cuban treefrog invades Audubon Park, Zoo
Times-Picayune

The invasive Cuban treefrog, whose secretions can burn skin and eyes, and which can outcompete native Louisiana treefrogs, has established a breeding colony in Audubon Zoo and The Fly that is not likely to be eradicated and could spread to the state's coastal wetlands with potentially devastating impact, according to researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey and the zoo.


National

EPA chief Scott Pruitt faces congressional hearings Thursday for alleged ethical missteps
AP

WASHINGTON -- Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt faces potentially make-or-break hearings Thursday on Capitol Hill, where he is expected to be peppered with questions about spending and ethics scandals that have triggered bipartisan calls for his ouster.

EPA Plan to Limit Science Use May Undercut Air, Climate Programs
Bloomberg

New EPA plans to limit “secret science” in policy making could unravel the agency’s decades-old approach to crafting environmental protections, both supporters and critics of the proposal said.

New Volkswagen CEO Gets Off to a Strong Start
German auto giant reports rising sales as Herbert Diess reports first set of earnings as CEO
WSJ

New Volkswagen AG VLKAY -1.38% Chief Executive Herbert Diess’s tenure got off to a strong start as the auto giant reported a rise in sales and said its broad revamp was on track.



Press releases

Secretary Zinke Announces Grants to Boost to Wetland, Waterfowl Conservation, Access to Public Lands

WASHINGTON – The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, chaired by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, today approved $24.6 million in grants for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and its partners to conserve or restore more than 176,000 acres of wetland and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds and other birds in 18 states throughout the United States.

Invasive Cuban Treefrogs Leap Out of Florida, Establish First Known Population in Louisiana

Release Date: APRIL 25, 2018A population of exotic invasive Cuban treefrogs has been discovered in New Orleans, more than 430 miles (700 kilometers) from the nearest known population in Florida, making this the first known breeding population in the mainland United States outside that state, reports a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.