News Clippings July 31, 2020

State Jackson cleanup efforts hampered by continuous illegal dumping WLBT JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - While the City of Jackson and residents are tackling mounting trash, illegal dumpers continue add to the blight. https://www.wlbt.com/2020/07/30/jackson-cleanup-efforts-hampered-by-continuous-illegal-dumping/ Giant salvinia makes a comeback in South Mississippi WLOX GAUTIER, Miss. (WLOX) - The giant salvinia has returned to South Mississippi. Also known as koi candy, the invasive weed is lurking in Jackson County bayous. https://www.wlox.com/2020/07/30/giant-salvinia-makes-comeback-south-mississippi/ Natural gas expansion to benefit Starkville, MSU, Oktibbeha County WTVA STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - Atmos Energy announced Thursday it’ll expand natural gas service to further benefit Starkville, Mississippi State University (MSU) and surrounding areas. https://www.wtva.com/content/news/Natural-gas-expansion-to-benefit-Starkville-MSU-Oktibbeha-County-571957451.html State Government Reeves extends Safe Return, county-specific executive orders WTOK JACKSON, Miss. (WTOK) -Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves is updating the media on the state’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. https://www.wtok.com/2020/07/30/watch-live-governor-tate-reeves-covid-19-press-conference/ Miss. faring better than some other states according to economist MPB Despite the sharp drop in the national GDP to 32.9 percent, Mississippi’s revenue decline isn’t as steep as some other states due to the coronavirus. https://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/miss-faring-better-than-some-other-states-according-to-economist/ Regional Georgia, Texas Landfills May Lack Air Permits: EPA Watchdog Bloomberg A dozen landfills in Georgia and Texas may be operating under state agencies without permits required under the Clean Air Act, the EPA’s internal watchdog said Thursday. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/georgia-texas-landfills-may-lack-air-permits-epa-watchdog-says National EPA Won’t Extend Relaxed Enforcement, Despite Surging Virus Data Bloomberg The EPA isn’t considering extending its temporary enforcement policy beyond its Aug. 31 expiration date, despite surging coronavirus case rates, an agency spokesman said. The policy, issued on March 26, is meant to give relief to regulated entities unable to comply with certain reporting obligations because of the Covid-19 pandemic. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/epa-wont-extend-relaxed-enforcement-despite-surging-virus-data EPA rule extends life of toxic coal ash ponds The Hill The Trump administration is extending the life of giant pits of toxic coal sludge, a move critics say further risks contamination of nearby water sources. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/509792-epa-rule-extends-life-of-toxic-coal-ash-ponds Flint class action suit against Mich. officials can proceed, court rules The Hill A class-action lawsuit by residents of Flint, Mich., against state and local officials can proceed, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday.  https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/509847-flint-class-action-suit-against-mich-officials-can-proceed-court NYS Adopts Drinking Water Standards For Three Emerging Contaminants WAMC New York state Thursday adopted maximum contaminant levels for three chemicals in drinking water. Environmental and community advocates wanted to see lower levels adopted, and more PFAS chemicals included, but say it’s a good start. One of the limits is a national first. https://www.wamc.org/post/nys-adopts-drinking-water-standards-three-emerging-contaminants Press Releases Governor Reeves Extends Safe Return and County-Specific Orders to Combat Rising Cases of COVID-19 JACKSON — Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced that he is extending the social distancing measures under the Safe Return and county-specific executive orders to continue combating the rising cases of COVID-19 across the state.  https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?e=4bdf441fad&u=08cb3e52aa1308600f84d49ea&id=0a73bb5c44 MSU’s Vahedifard discusses proactive dam removal decisions in Science MSU  STARKVILLE, Miss.—A recent letter in Science magazine from a Mississippi State faculty member discusses the danger of aging, “high hazard” dams across the country and what should be done to prepare for potential dam removals or repairs in the future. https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2020/07/msus-vahedifard-discusses-proactive-dam-removal-decisions-science EPA Approves 13 Products from List N as Effective Against SARS-CoV-2 EPA continues to provide consumers with disinfectant options, scientific research 07/30/2020 WASHINGTON (July 30, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 13 products on List N, EPA's list of products expected to kill SARS-CoV-2, have completed laboratory testing for use specifically against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-approves-13-products-list-n-effective-against-sars-cov-2 Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌

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News Clippings July 30, 2020

State RESIDENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT RUBBISH PIT FIRE Yazoo Herald Residents on Bell Road and other areas near the city’s rubbish pit are complaining about smoke from a fire that has burned at the pit for hours. https://www.yazooherald.net/front-page-slideshow-news/residents-complain-about-rubbish-pit-fire#sthash.fURnTybM.dpbs DREDGING IN PELAHATCHIE BAY Northside Sun Thanks to the Mississippi legislature’s recent bond bill, the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD) was granted funds to do much needed dredging in Pelahatchie Bay. https://www.northsidesun.com/news-breaking-news/dredging-pelahatchie-bay Wildflowers in bloom Madison County Journal Keep Ridgeland Beautiful members along with city officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday celebrating the city’s newly-finished wildflower field at the intersection of I-55 and West Jackson Street. http://onlinemadison.com/Content/Default/News/Article/Wildflowers-in-bloom/-3/592/43718 State Government Dr. Dobbs to answer questions during live broadcast on MPB Copiah Monitor Mississippi Public Broadcasting will air a special live “@ISSUE: The Coronavirus Crisis, A one-on-one with State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 on MPB Television, MPB Think Radio, and MPB Online. https://www.copiahmonitor.com/2020/07/29/dr-dobbs-to-answer-questions-during-live-broadcast-on-mpb/ MS Conservation Officer hailed as hero for saving life of attempted murder victim NewsMS On Monday, Conservation Officer Brian Tallent was on routine patrol in Yalobusha County when he received a call about possible trespassing on or near the Holly Springs National Forest. https://newsms.fm/ms-conservation-officer-hailed-as-hero-for-saving-life-of-attempted-murder-victim/ Regional Florida Blue-Green Algae Task Force: Alert public when any toxins detected in algal blooms TC Palm How much toxicity does it take to make a blue-green algae bloom hazardous? The World Health Organization says 10 parts per billion of the toxin microcystin is hazardous to touch. The federal Environmental Protection Agency sets the threshold at 8 parts per billion. https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/indian-river-lagoon/health/2020/07/29/blue-green-algae-task-force-alert-public-if-any-toxins-found-blooms/5530052002/ National Hundreds of hazardous waste sites could face flooding in next 20 years: report The Hill Hundreds of hazardous waste sites in the U.S. are at risk of future flooding, which could lead to the spread of contaminants, according to a new report.  https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/509587-hundreds-of-hazardous-waste-sites-could-face-floods-over-20-years EPA looks to other statutes to expand scope of coming 'secret science' rule The Hill The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will work to expand the scope of its coming regulation that will limit what types of scientific research the agency can consider by applying it to several more individual statutes. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/509663-epa-looks-to-other-statutes-to-expand-scope-of-coming-secret 'Silent Epidemic': Nearly 1 In 3 Kids Exposed To Damaging Levels Of Lead NPR How many children in the world have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead? That's a pressing question that has had no definitive answer until now. About 1 in 3 children have been exposed to lead at levels shown to damage their health and cognitive development, according to a groundbreaking report that is the first to document the problem globally. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/07/29/896888484/silent-epidemic-nearly-1-in-3-kids-exposed-to-damaging-levels-of-lead Oyster farmers reeling in coronavirus pandemic Fox News The oyster industry is in murky water. With restaurants serving a limited number of diners and relying primarily on take-out in the age of the coronavirus pandemic, oyster farmers are left with more supply than demand as sales remain sluggish ahead of prime oyster-eating season this fall. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/oyster-industry-tanking-during-coronavirus-pandemic Big-Money Investors Gear Up For A Trillion-Dollar Bet On Farm Land NPR  For a glimpse of what could happen to a trillion dollars worth of American farmland, meet Ray Williams. https://www.npr.org/2020/07/30/892366385/big-money-investors-gear-up-for-a-trillion-dollar-bet-on-farm-land Press Releases EPA Supports States in Addressing PFAS Across the Southeast Through technical assistance, grants and enforcement, EPA Region 4 assists states, tribes and local communities respond to PFAS challenges 07/29/2020 ATLANTA (July 29, 2020) — Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the progress it has made in aggressively addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the national level as it implements the PFAS Action Plan — the most comprehensive cross-agency plan ever to address an emerging chemical of concern. Just as important as this progress at the federal level, EPA Region 4 has formed partnerships with states, tribes and local communities to address local PFAS challenges across the Southeast. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-supports-states-addressing-pfas-across-southeast-0 EPA Finalizes Revisions to the Coal Ash Closure Regulations, Increases Public Access to Information 07/29/2020 WASHINGTON (July 29, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized several changes to the regulations for coal combustion residuals, known as CCR or coal ash, to implement the court’s vacatur of certain closure requirements as well as adding provisions that enhance the public’s access to information about the management of coal ash at electric utilities. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-finalizes-revisions-coal-ash-closure-regulations-increases-public-access EPA Announces Another Significant Step in Effort to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water 07/29/2020 WASHINGTON (July 29, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to reduce lead in plumbing materials used in public water systems, homes, schools and other facilities. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-another-significant-step-effort-reduce-lead-drinking-water Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌

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News Clippings July 29, 2020

State Firefighter injured while fighting flames at Jackson diesel refinery WLBT JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A large portion of Industrial Drive in Jackson was shut down Tuesday due to a reported fire at Jaxon Energy, a diesel refinery. https://www.wlbt.com/2020/07/28/firefighter-injured-during-fire-response-industrial-drive/ Federal government reimburses Lee County for October storm damage cleanup Daily Journal Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith on Tuesday announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved around $2.3 million in federal aid to help Lee County offset costs associated with removing debris following the damage from Tropical Storm Olga last October. https://www.djournal.com/news/local/federal-government-reimburses-lee-county-for-october-storm-damage-cleanup/article_b1d7ebeb-25c3-5073-b531-e24faa4dcba4.html ‘Mysterious packages of seeds’ sent to Coast and Mississippi homes. Don’t plant them. Sun Herald “Mysterious packages of seeds” that appear to be sent from China are landing on doorsteps across the Coast, the state and the country, Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson said Tuesday. https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/article244554392.html State Government State health officer: COVID-19 being spread in the home WTOK JACKSON, Miss. (WTOK) - Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves held a news conference Tuesday to address issues about COVID-19. The state reported more than 1,400 new cases, along with 42 new deaths Tuesday. https://www.wtok.com/2020/07/28/gov-reeves-covid-19-news-briefing/ Mississippi invests more than $150 million in rural broadband MPB Not every Mississippian has reliable internet to work or study from home during the Coronavirus pandemic. The state is working to bring internet into the homes and businesses of thousands of Mississippians. https://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/mississippi-invests-more-than-150-million-in-rural-broadband/ Oil Spill PRCC receives $6.67 million for Hancock County workforce training facility Picayune Item WAVELAND, Miss. — Governor Tate Reeves recently announced the U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved a RESTORE Act grant award of $6.67 million to Pearl River Community College to support workforce training in Hancock County. https://picayuneitem.com/2020/07/prcc-receives-6-67-million-for-hancock-county-workforce-training-facility/ Regional North Alabama creek added to state’s fish advisory list due to PFOS WAFF LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WAFF) - A third north Alabama waterway has been flagged by the Alabama Department of Public Health due to the presence of perfluoralkyl sulfonate (PFOS). https://www.waff.com/2020/07/28/north-alabama-creek-added-states-fish-advisory-list-due-pfos/ This new law makes it easier to hunt feral hogs and other 'outlaw' animals in Louisiana NOLA.com The time of day soon won’t factor into whether hunters can kill feral hogs, nutria and other critters the state calls “outlaw quadrupeds.” https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_6b0f62c0-d03c-11ea-9564-9bfffcc9dc4e.html National Dozens of facilities skipping out on EPA pollution monitoring have prior offenses The Hill More than 50 facilities across the country that have faced enforcement actions for alleged Clean Water Act violations are among those taking advantage of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy that lets companies forgo pollution monitoring during the pandemic, an analysis by The Hill found. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/509489-dozens-of-facilities-skipping-out-on-epa-pollution-monitoring-have Trump’s EPA is failing to protect N.J. air from out-of-state polluters, judge rules NJ.com A federal judge slammed the U.S. Environmental Protection agency Tuesday for not doing more to protect New Jersey air from out-of-state pollution, giving the Garden State another win in one of its many lawsuits against the Trump administration. https://www.nj.com/news/2020/07/trumps-epa-is-failing-to-protect-nj-air-from-out-of-state-polluters-judge-rules.html Press Releases Vicksburg District reopens dam road at Arkabutla Lake July 28, 2020 VICKSBURG, Miss. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District has reopened the road over Arkabutla Dam at Arkabutla Lake, located in Tate and DeSoto counties in north Mississippi. https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/2290682/vicksburg-district-reopens-dam-road-at-arkabutla-lake/ Trump EPA Continues to Aggressively Address PFAS on the Federal, State, and Local Level Building on the assistance provided to more than 30 states, Trump Administration continues its commitment to supporting state, tribal, and local communities in addressing PFAS 07/28/2020 WASHINGTON (July 28, 2020) — Aggressively addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to be an active and ongoing priority for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/trump-epa-continues-aggressively-address-pfas-federal-state-and-local-level Recent U.S. fishing years marked by economic gains, milestones in sustainability NOAA Fisheries releases updates on U.S. fisheries and industry NOAA  July 28, 2020Two announcements today from NOAA Fisheries offer a ‘snapshot in time’ of the population status of U.S. federal fisheries in 2019, and the economic performance of commercial fishing, recreational fishing, and related businesses in 2017. https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/recent-us-fishing-years-marked-by-economic-gains-milestones-in-sustainability Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌

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