State
Fire destroys warehouse at American Furniture, authorities questioning possible arson suspect
Pontotoc Progress
For the third time in less than 13 months, a massive fire has destroyed a large warehouse at American Furniture in Pontotoc County, but this time a possible arson suspect is being questioned by authorities.
UPDATE : Suspect arrested in American Furniture plant fire
WTVA
UPDATE 2/15/19 7:43 a.m. - A suspect is in custody in connection to this fire, according to Pontoc County Sheriff Leo Mask. They are investigating this fire as arson.
Employees followed the suspect down the road and encountered the suspect, leading to his arrest, Sheriff Mask said.
Progress along Capitol Street brings residents and commerce
WLBT
There is progress along a major downtown corridor on Capitol Street, where millions are being spent.
Regional
Tennessee Valley Authority Approves Closure of Two Coal-Fired Plants
Utility to shut Tennessee, Kentucky locations that employ about 270 people in total
WSJ
The Tennessee Valley Authority—a federally owned utility that oversees power generation for a large part of the mid-South—will move ahead with closing two older coal plants despite opposition from local groups and several elected officials, including President Trump.
14-year Taylor Energy oil leak could be two times larger than BP spill, new research says
Times-Picayune
A toppled oil platform that has been leaking into the Gulf of Mexico for more than 14 years may have released much more oil than recent estimates have indicated, possibly pushing the total volume well beyond BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.
Chemours receives violation letter from the Environmental Protection Agency
Delaware Business Now
The Environmental Protection Agency has filed a notice of violation to the Chemours Co.for its sites in Fayetteville, NC and the Washington Works in West Virginia
National
‘We’re moving as quickly as we can’: EPA announces plan to address PFAS water contamination
Philadelphia Inquirer
Responding to water contamination that has affected communities across the country, including in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pledged Thursday to create new drinking water limits for harmful chemicals for the first time in more than two decades.
Chemicals contaminating US water supplies focus of EPA plan
AP
The chemical compounds are all around you. They're on many fabrics, rugs and carpets, cooking pots and pans, outdoor gear, shampoo, shaving cream, makeup and even dental floss. Increasing numbers of states have found them seeping into water supplies.
Critics say EPA action plan on toxic ‘forever chemicals’ falls short
Washington Post
The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday announced what officials called a historic effort to rein in a class of long-lasting chemicals that pose serious health risks to millions of Americans. But environmental groups and residents of contaminated communities said that the agency’s “action plan” is short on action, saying ample evidence exists to regulate the chemicals in the nation’s drinking water.
Press Releases
EPA Acting Administrator Announces First-Ever Comprehensive Nationwide PFAS Action Plan
Historic plan outlines concrete steps the agency is taking to address PFAS and to protect public health
02/14/2019
PHILADELPHIA (February 14, 2019) — Today, at an event in Philadelphia, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced EPA’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan.
Ten Mississippi Counties Declared Federal Disaster Areas
JACKSON – Gov. Phil Bryant announced that President Donald Trump declared Clarke, Covington, Forrest, Greene, Jasper, Jones, Marion, Newton, Perry and Wayne counties as federal disaster areas on February 14. The declaration is in response to the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that impacted Mississippi on December 27-28, 2018.
Those ten counties are eligible for Public Assistance, which is reimbursement grants to local governments and some non-profit organizations for things like damage to infrastructure, debris removal, and overtime to responders.
Individual Assistance (assistance to individuals and households) is not included in the declaration.
“I am grateful to President Trump’s administration for its complete approval of our request,” Gov. Bryant said. “This declaration will help these 10 counties in rebuilding their infrastructure that was damaged at the end of 2018”.
Mississippi is also approved statewide for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which is for measures/actions taken that reduce or eliminate long term risk to people and property from natural hazards.
