Monday, March 1, 2021

News Clippings March 1, 2021

State

Enviva almost ready to churn out wood pellets from Lucedale
WLOX

LUCEDALE, Miss. (WLOX) - These days all roads, dirt or otherwise, lead in and out of Enviva’s $140 million wood pellet plant construction site at George County’s Industrial Park.

Legislation could help cities manage bond debt, reduce borrowing costs amid COVID-19
WLBT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WLBT) - A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate could give cities like Jackson a boost in fixing its roads, water and sewer systems.

'It helps a whole lot of people': Special trash collection event helps residents clean up after storms
Clarion Ledger

The city of Jackson held a special trash collection event Saturday for people to stop by and get rid of any debris caused by the winter storms.

Community joins clean-up effort in Gulfport neighborhood
WLOX

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - Instead of sleeping or spending their Saturday morning watching cartoons, nearly three dozen Gulfport residents chose to gather at Emerald Pine Apartments for a clean-up event.

Mississippi lawmakers considering creation of a conservation trust fund
WLBT

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A pending bill at the State Capitol could help multiply the money available for Mississippi outdoor spaces. Conservation Trust Fund, HB 1231.

In remembrance: Maranatha founder, pastor led fight for Kerr-McGee compensation, redevelopment
Commercial Dispatch
 
Steve Jamison built his legacy at Maranatha Faith Center in Columbus, the church he founded and served as pastor for 41 years. The section of Waterworks Road in front of the church bears the name: "Reverend Steven M. Jamison Way."

Roger Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise celebrates milestone
WLOX

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - It was a simple ceremony for a big milestone. Friday was the topping-off ceremony for the Roger Wicker Center of Ocean Enterprise at the Port of Gulfport.

MS Forestry Commission names new Region 3 Regional Forester
Daily Leader

State Forester Russell Bozeman announced Friday that Mike Crowell has been named the new Region 3 Regional Forester for the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

‘Whoever did it, we’ll be praying for them’: Turkey Creek historical marker vandalized in Gulfport
WLOX

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - A historical marker celebrating the heritage of Gulfport’s Turkey Creek community was vandalized sometime in the overnight hours between Thursday and Friday.

Arborists: Care needed in keeping trees healthy after ice storm damage
Commercial Dispatch
 
When the ice began to melt after the Feb. 14-15 ice storm, George Hazard did what a lot of homeowners were doing.


Regional

'It was the most fun I've ever had': Revived 'Nutria Rodeo' bags 1,500 rodents
NOLA.com

It was a bad weekend to be a nutria in south Plaquemines Parish.

Feds aim for reduced red snapper season in 2021
Al.com

Alabama anglers and seafood lovers who have mistrusted the federal red snapper management program in the past won’t like it any better in the coming year after NOAA Fisheries announced plans to “calibrate” the state’s snapper reporting system to better manage the fishery.


National

Biden administration promises focus on environmental justice
AP

When President Joe Biden made environmental protection a key element of his campaign, he promised to overhaul the federal office that investigates complaints from people in minority communities who believe they have been unfairly harmed by industrial pollution or waste disposal.

Can pollution regulations help an industry’s bottom line?
Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — A new study shows that certain industries in the right circumstances can benefit from air pollution regulations to boost their profits, running counter to the notion that all regulations are burdensome and costly to industry.

Local hazards grow as Americans churn out more garbage
Bloomberg

As U.S. cities struggle to rein in garbage while propping up pricey recycling efforts, more companies are profiting from America’s growing waste problem and leaving local communities to face the environmental consequences.

Biden’s New Energy Secretary Eyes Big Investment to Boost Clean Technologies, Harden Electric Grid
WSJ

WASHINGTON—The new U.S. energy secretary said Friday she plans to revive a $40 billion loan program for energy projects and to push for improvements to the country’s electric grid in the aftermath of this month’s deadly, widespread blackout.

What’s Missing in the Electric-Vehicle Revolution: Enough Places to Plug In
WSJ

Bradley Wilkinson is the owner of a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, and the kind of electric-vehicle diehard who knows how to squeeze every last mile of range out of his vehicle.

West Virginia home to newest US national park
Fox News

America’s newest national park could be just what your family needs for a socially-distanced getaway this year.