State
Board tries to rein in garbage costs
Enterprise-Journal
Pike County supervisors are trying to offset waste collection costs, saying contractor Waste Management is charging the county for more houses than it is collecting.
...• Authorized a modification to the Solid Waste Assistance Grant agreement from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality by extending the ending date from Dec. 31, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019.
CHRISTMAS CARDBOARD RECYCLING
WXXV
The Harrison County Beautification Commission held their annual Christmas Cardboard Recycling event over the weekend.
Where to recycle your Christmas trees on the Mississippi Coast
Sun Herald
Some say it’s bad luck to leave your Christmas tree up past midnight on Jan. 31.
Others say it’s better to take off the Christmas decorations and turn it into a Mardi Gras tree, and maybe even a Valentine tree.
Fishermen must have trash container at Reservoir
WJTV
A new year means new rules... Effective today-- January 1st, all boaters and fishermen on the bank or boat must have a trash can with them, along the Barnett Reservoir Banks.
Surface water switch delayed again for Saltillo
Daily Journal
Saltillo residents in search of clear drinking water will have to wait a little longer.
The city has withdrawn a proposed rate hike needed to fund the switch from well water to the most expensive surface water. The withdrawal will allow the Mississippi Public Service Commission to complete a management review of the city.
State Government
Bryant signs State of Emergency for eight counties
NewsMS
Governor Phil Bryant has signed a State of Emergency proclamation for eight counties in south and central Mississippi.
PENSION SYSTEM ASKS AG FOR CLARITY ON PENSIONS FOR LAWMAKER
AP
Mississippi's pension system is asking Attorney General Jim Hood to clarify a ruling that retired public employees can collect their pensions while serving in the Legislature.
Tourism outlook 2019: Leave a good impression
WLOX
There’s an old saying: you only get one chance to make a good first impression. When it comes to tourism, that impression is critical. In 2018, tourism numbers on the Coast were up. Will that trend continue in the new year? The best people to ask who would know is our visitors.
Mississippi adding ‘In God We Trust’ on new license plate
AP
Mississippi has a new standard license plate that includes the state seal with the phrase, "In God We Trust."
National
EPA reconsiders need for mercury pollution standards at power plants
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Friday it will reconsider the reasoning behind mercury pollution standards for power plants.
EPA shutdown keeps some workers on job
AP
The Environmental Protection Agency will keep disaster-response teams and other essential workers on the job as it becomes the latest agency to start furloughing employees in the government shutdown.
Garbage, feces take toll on national parks amid shutdown
AP
Human feces, overflowing garbage, illegal off-roading and other damaging behavior in fragile areas were beginning to overwhelm some of the West’s iconic national parks, as a partial government shutdown left the areas open to visitors but with little staff on duty.
When hospitals pour drugs down the drain
CNN
Patricia Deesy, a registered nurse, is worried about the drinking water in her home state of North Carolina.
Illinois rejects $8M from Michigan for Asian carp project
AP
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has rejected Michigan's offer of $8 million to support a project to keep invasive carp from establishing themselves in the Great Lakes, saying the money wouldn't be useful for at least 10 years.
New Interior FOIA rule could make it harder to get public documents
The Hill
A new Interior Department rule could make it harder for news organizations and nonprofits to get public information from the government.
Mills nominates attorney for environmental protection post
AP
Maine's next governor is continuing to build out her cabinet, nominating a fellow attorney to lead the Department of Environmental Protection.
Scott Pruitt: After the high life, a job hunt
Washington Post
The Capitol Hill bistro didn't boast the trappings of Scott Pruitt's former office. No 19th-century paintings on loan from the Smithsonian. No captain's desk or stately fireplaces. No biometric locks.
Press releases
Supplemental Cost Finding and “Risk and Technology Review”
12/28/2018
WASHINGTON — Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed revised Supplemental Cost Finding for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), as well as the Clean Air Act-required “risk and technology review.”
