Tuesday, June 2, 2020

News Clippings June 2, 2020

State

Injured dolphin is first one found alive on Mississippi Coast in 2020, IMMS says
Sun Herald

Typically when Moby Solangi is called to retrieve a dolphin from a Coast beach, the dolphins are dead. But Friday’s call from Long Beach was different, this dolphin was still alive.

DMR OPENS SALTWATER FISHING TO ALL THIS WEEKEND
WXXV

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is offering a free saltwater fishing weekend this weekend.

Focused on Mississippi: Tishomingo State Park
WJTV

TISHOMINGO COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – We have almost every type geography in Mississippi, except the desert. Grassy parries, swamps, hills, flat Delta, seashore and piney woods. But how about we go to a place with Appalachian-type rock outcroppings and rustic cabins? We have that, too.


State Government

‘The threat is great as ever.’ Reeves, Dobbs concerned over growing COVID-19 cases.
Sun Herald

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and the state’s top health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, showed an increased concern over the worsening COVID-19 statistics during the governor’s daily media conference on Monday.

STATE SENATOR ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION, CITES HEALTH REASONS
WCBI

An area lawmaker is stepping down due to health reasons. State Senator Gary Jackson announced Monday on the Senate floor that he would be resigning June 30.


National

EPA finalizes rule to regulate cancer-linked chemical
The Hill

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday finalized a rule to control leaks of a type of pollution from industrial equipment, though critics argued the agency did not go far enough.

EPA Mulls Chemical Fee Options For Covid-Impacted Businesses
Bloomberg

The EPA is exploring whether—due to the coronavirus pandemic—it can offer financial relief to manufacturers of 20 chemicals who must pay chemical risk evaluation fees this year.

Wheeler: EPA Positioned to Reopen Three More Regional Offices 
Bloomberg

The EPA is nudging its regional offices in Boston, Dallas, and Denver closer to reopening, agency chief Andrew Wheeler said in an internal email on Monday.

N.J. gets strict on cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
NJ.com

The Garden State is taking a big step in its fight against “forever chemicals.”
On Monday, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection officially adopted strict new drinking water standards for two chemicals known to pose serious health risks and are prevalent in groundwater throughout the state.

U.S. Ruling Could Mean a Flood of New Claims Against Volkswagen
NYT

Volkswagen, the German automaker that admitted to a decade-long scheme to cheat on diesel emissions tests in the United States and elsewhere, could face a “staggering” volume of claims from local governments after a federal appeals court ruled on Monday that counties in Florida and in Utah could impose local pollution laws on the manufacturer.

Brecksville Dam removal begins, thanks to forward-thinking, healthy partnerships
Cleveland.com

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- Phase one of the long-anticipated removal of the Brecksville Dam began May 21.


Press Releases

EPA Issues Final Rule that Helps Ensure U.S. Energy Security and Limits Misuse of the Clean Water Act
06/01/2020
 
WASHINGTON (June 1, 2020) — Today, after speaking with U.S. stakeholders via conference call, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a final rule that will help accelerate and promote the construction of important energy infrastructure across the United States, while ensuring the nation’s waterways are protected. 

EPA Finalizes Amendments to the Miscellaneous Organic Chemical Manufacturing National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
Action Includes First Regulation Addressing Ethylene Oxide
06/01/2020

WASHINGTON (June 1, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continued its progress on a suite of actions to address ethylene oxide by announcing final amendments to the Miscellaneous Organic Chemical Manufacturing National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), known as MON, to reduce hazardous air pollutants, including ethylene oxide.

Vicksburg District closes Steele Bayou Control Structure, provides update on forecasts, conditions across region
June 1, 2020

VICKSBURG, Miss. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District closed the gates of the Steele Bayou Control Structure, located approximately 10 miles north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and provided an update on forecasts and conditions across the district’s jurisdiction June 1.

Free Fishing Weekend June 6 and 7, Free Saltwater Sport Fishing Day July 4
MDMR

BILOXI, Miss. – The first weekend of National Fishing and Boating Week in June of each year is designated as Free Fishing Weekend.