State
TALKS STARTED TO RENEGOTIATE TERMS FOR CONSENT DECREE
Northside Sun
Efforts to soften terms of Jackson’s sewer consent decree are officially under way.
Recently, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba’s administration met with federal officials to discuss challenges the city faces in meeting decree terms.
“We discussed which elements of the consent decree we’d like to see changed,” Public Works Director Robert Miller said. “They’re taking (our request) under advisement.”
The meeting included city officials and representatives with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).
Governor Bryant issues State of Emergency in response to flooding
WLBT
Massive flooding and other recent weather related events prompt Governor Phil Bryant to declare a State of Emergency. Backwater flooding began in the Mississippi Delta over a month ago, and the water isn’t expected to recede anytime soon. Until it does there is some relief for those impacted.
Sewer repairs to spread city wide in West Point
WTVA
More sewer repairs are planned to begin around the city of West Point, according to Mayor Robbie Robinson and West Point Water and Light general manager Randy Jones.
Residents Appeal Ruling
Northside Sun
Opponents of the Ridgeland Costco are again going to the state’s highest court in hopes of stopping the store from coming to Highland Colony Parkway.
PREP AND JA STUDENTS START DUCKS UNLIMITED CHAPTER TO RAISE FUNDS
Northside Sun
Two area high schools have started what will be an annual competition to raise money for waterfowl conservation. Jackson Prep and Jackson Academy now both host Ducks Unlimited Varsity (DUV) programs geared at high schoolers.
State Government
State Auditor: MDOT infrastructure projects to be analyzed from top to bottom
WLOX
The Mississippi Department of Transportation is going to have a large increase in their budget next year and the legislature wants to make sure the money is being well spent.
Regional
Liquid livestock waste permit transfer causing a stink at the Arkansas Capitol
KATV
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — An effort to move regulatory authority on liquid livestock waste permits over to another state entity is causing a stink at the Arkansas State Capitol.
SB550, filed by Rep. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, would transfer permitting authority from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.
Gulf lease bids hit $244M, 37 percent more than August sale
AP
Oil and gas companies made $244.3 million in high bids for federal leases in the Gulf of Mexico, about 37 percent above what the last gulf-wide sale generated in August and nearly twice as much as a sale a year ago.
Tennessee Valley Authority plans to increase solar power
AP
The nation's largest public utility plans to rely more on solar power in the future, according to proposals in a draft long-range power plan.
National
Unprecedented spring flooding possible, US forecasters say
AP
The stage is set for unprecedented major flooding this spring for most of the nation, U.S. weather officials said Thursday.
EPA: Mushroom compost removes pollutants from Tar Creek site
AP
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Mushroom compost has been extracting contaminants from the heavily polluted Tar Creek Superfund Site in northeastern Oklahoma for a decade, according to an Environmental Protection Agency report.
EPA Says Missouri’s Plan To Regulate Coal Ash Ponds And Landfills Is Too Weak
KWMU
The Environmental Protection Agency notified Missouri environmental regulators this month that the state’s plan for overseeing the disposal of toxic waste from coal-fired power plants is not strong enough to protect human health and the environment.
Acting Interior chief moves to protect access to public lands
The Hill
Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt ordered Thursday that federal land managers consider public access when selling or trading public land.
Opinion
NEW POWER PLANTS SHOULD BE OPEN TO COMPETITIVE BIDS
Northside Sun
The business model of Mississippi Power Company (“MPC”) and Entergy Mississippi (“Entergy”) requires that the Mississippi Public Service Commission (“MPSC”) balance the interests of ratepayers and shareholders.
MISSISSIPPI GOVERNMENT IS SHRINKING
Northside Sun
THE legislature is in session and big money is on the line – $21 billion. This represents 18.3 percent of Mississippi’s total GDP of $115 billion.
Mississippi citizens need a clear understanding of the budget. In the end, our votes make the difference.
Press Releases
Corps to Host Public Meeting on Eagle Lake Flooding
USACE
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District is scheduled to host a public meeting regarding flooding at Eagle Lake, Mississippi, March 22 at 6 p.m. Central at the district’s headquarters building, located at 4155 East Clay Street, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 39183.
