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.
