State
DMR seeking public input on oyster management/recovery plan
WLOX (video)
The Mississippi Dept. of Marine Resources is trying to get the state's oyster industry back on its feet. They have an Oyster Management and Recovery Strategic Plan, and they're looking for public input. Here with details on how you can participate is DMR Shellfish Bureau Director Erik Broussard.
EPA WILL ADDRESS JACKSON CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 11 CONCERNING ITS WATER SYSTEM ORDER
Northside Sun
Federal officials will address the Jackson City Council at its meeting on May 11 concerning an order issued concerning significant deficiencies in Jackson’s water system.
Starkville becomes first municipality to join Green Invest Solar Project
WTVA
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - A city in the Golden Triangle is becoming a little greener after signing a deal with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
State Government
Hunter named Mississippi Homeland Security director
Daily Journal
JACKSON - Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell has appointed Lora Hunter to serve as Director of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security.
Census shows Mississippi lost population and diversified
AP
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi became more diverse during the past decade, but it is also one of only three states that lost population, according to 2020 Census numbers released Monday.
National
EPA director promises action on forever chemicals
WUSA
WASHINGTON — The EPA is promising swift action on chemicals linked to cancer that have recently been found in the D.C. region at levels that alarm environmentalists. The federal government does not currently regulate the so-called "forever chemicals," or PFAS, but that could change soon.
Senate to Reinstate Obama-Era Controls on Climate-Warming Methane
NY Times
WASHINGTON — The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday to effectively reinstate an Obama-era regulation that sought to clamp down on the release of methane, a powerful, climate-warming pollutant that will have to be controlled to meet President Biden’s ambitious climate change promises.
Biden Administration to Finance $8 Billion in Power-Grid Improvements
WSJ
Senate confirms Janet McCabe as deputy EPA chief
The Hill
The Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Janet McCabe as the No. 2 official at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Colorado launching independent investigation into claims state pollution officials unlawfully issued permits, falsified data
Denver Post
Colorado is launching an independent investigation of whistleblower allegations that officials in the state health department responsible for controlling air pollution ordered employees to stop measuring surges of harmful sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulates at industrial sites.
Press Releases
MDMR seeking public comment for Oyster Management and Recovery Strategic Plan
April 27, 2021
BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) is seeking public comments from stakeholders on the draft document, “Oyster Management and Recovery Strategic Plan.”
EPA Administrator Regan Establishes New Council on PFAS
04/27/2021
WASHINGTON – (April 27, 2021) To help deliver on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mission to protect human health and the environment, today Administrator Michael S. Regan issued a memorandum to EPA’s senior leadership calling for the creation of a new “EPA Council on PFAS” that is charged with building on the agency’s ongoing work to better understand and ultimately reduce the potential risks caused by these chemicals.
EPA Announces $6.5 Billion in New Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects
WIFIA funds to revitalize water infrastructure, create jobs while prioritizing progress on equity, climate, lead
04/27/2021
WASHINGTON — Today, at an address to water associations, utilities, and their workers to mark Water Week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the 2021 notice of funding availability under the agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and state infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA) program.
EPA to accept applications for grants that enhance recycling markets or reduce food waste until June 1
04/27/2021
CHICAGO (April 28, 2021) -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 is now accepting applications for Sustainable Materials Management Grants to fund recycling markets or food waste reduction projects in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
