Thursday, March 13, 2014

News Clippings 3.13.14

3.13.14



Oil Spill







Appeals court reverses decision in RESTORE Act suit

By Apalachicola Times


Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 09:52 AM.



On Feb. 26, Florida's First District Court of Appeals handed the city of

Apalachicola a victory in a suit against the county over the process by

which RESTORE Act funds will be administered.

http://www.apalachtimes.com/news/law-enforcement/appeals-court-reverses-decision-in-restore-act-suit-1.289951






Ex-BP engineer hopes for acquittal or new trial in hearing on his


obstruction conviction




AP


NEW ORLEANS – A former BP engineer is returning to federal court as he

seeks to undo his obstruction of justice conviction in the government's

investigation of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/03/13/ex-bp-engineer-hopes-for-acquittal-or-new-trial-in-hearing-on-his-obstruction/





State





Can Kemper become the first US power plant to use 'clean coal'?
A $5bn facility to capture carbon and pump it underground could provide a
lifeline for the dirtiest of fossil fuels, but many remain unconvinced
The Guardian


Suzanne Goldenberg


The massive block of steel towers and pipes rises out of the morning fog
like a sci-fi fantasy. But this coal-fired power plant could help save the
climate, or at least that's the hope of the Obama administration.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/12/kemper-us-power-plant-coal-carbon





Highway reopens as cleanup continues
Hattiesburg American


Interstate 59 was reopened Wednesday evening as crews continued cleanup

efforts at the site of an overturned tanker near U.S. 11, exit 60.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20140313/NEWS01/303130020/Highway-reopens-cleanup-continues




Officials working to clean up potentially dangerous chemical spill in
Hattiesburg

WDAM


HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -Emergency officials finished offloading dangerous
chemicals from an overturned tanker on I-59 in Hattiesburg at 1:30 p.m. on
Wednesday.
http://www.wdam.com/story/24954447/officals-working-to-clean-up-potentially-dangeous-chemical-spill-in-hattiesburg





I-59 Shutdown Affects Motorists, Businesses

WHLT




HATTIESBURG, Miss. - It's been a hectic day for drivers in Hattiesburg.




Parts of Interstate 59 were shutdown due to a truck that overturned last
night.
http://www.whlt.com/story/24959974/i-59-shutdown-affects-motorists-businesses





New project manager for Waggoner ready to expand services to South
Mississippi
The Journal of South Mississippi BusinessMarch 12, 2014



Billy Waits has recently become senior project manager for Waggoner

Engineering in South Mississippi.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/03/12/5410322/new-project-manager-for-waggoner.html




Keep Monroe County Beautiful hosts kickoff breakfast

Monroe Journal



by Ray Van Dusen | 6:30 am | March 13, 2014



ABERDEEN – With the looming first day of spring approaching, Keep Monroe

County Beautiful hosted its kickoff breakfast Thursday, March 6 that

particularly recognized law enforcement. Monroe County has consecutively

been chosen by the Mississippi Department of Transportation as cleanest

county in the state through the sheriff's department's inmate trash pickup

program.

http://monroecountyjournal.com/2014/03/13/keep-monroe-county-beautiful-hosts-kickoff-breakfast/




Supervisors ignite new interest in county beautification

Monroe Journal



by Ray Van Dusen | 6:00 am | March 13, 2014



ABERDEEN – Inspired by the previous day's Keep Monroe County Beautiful

kickoff breakfast, District 3 supervisor Carol Crawford launched a

discussion Friday regarding the county's litter issue during the board of

supervisors meeting.

http://monroecountyjournal.com/2014/03/13/supervisors-ignite-new-interest-county-beautification/




County Supervisor Urges Residents to Stop Littering


WCBI


NORTHEAST, Miss. (WCBI)- District 3 Supervisor Carol Crawford is disgusted
at the sight of food bags and beer cans tossed up and down Monroe County
roads.
http://www.wcbi.com/wordpress/video-county-supervisor-urges-residents-to-stop-littering





Apartment residents complain of raw sewage

WLBT


JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -Residents of a west Jackson apartment
complex complain that they are living around raw sewage.A viewer at Camelot
Apartments on Robinson Street would not appear on camera but said raw
sewage has been bubbling from a manhole since December.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/24960492/raw-sewage-complaint-at-apartment-complex





Sand beach crews busy preparing for tourist season

WLOX


BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -Harrison County workers are busy preparing 26 miles of
sand beach for the summer tourist season. Sand beach Director Chuck Loftis
says the popular tourist attraction is in good shape following a tough
winter.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24959471/sand-beach-crews-busy-preparing-for-tourist-season





Ocean Springs High School to become first in state with aquaculture
greenhouse
Mississippi Press


Warren Kulo


March 12, 2014 at 1:24 PM


OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Come next fall, students at Ocean Springs

High School will be able to study marine life up close, thanks to the

construction of an aquaculture greenhouse on the school grounds

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/03/ocean_springs_high_school_to_b.html#incart_river





Numbers are in for Hattiesburg's Shred Day
Hattiesburg American


The State Attorney General's Office has released the numbers for

Hattiesburg's Community Shred Day which was held earlier this month.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20140312/NEWS01/140312001/Numbers-Hattiesburg-s-Shred-Day







National





House committee launches investigation into EPA climate regulations


Fox News


The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday launched an
investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed
greenhouse gas standards that would limit the amount of carbon new power
plants can emit.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/13/house-committee-launches-investigation-into-epa-climate-regs/?intcmp=latestnews





House GOP launches probe into EPA rule
The Hill
By Laura Barron-Lopez


House Republicans launched a probe into a key pillar of the Obama
administration's climate change regulations on Wednesday.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/200633-house-gop-launches-probe-into-epa-climate-rule





Senate GOP pushes bill curbing natural gas flaring
The Hill
By Laura Barron-Lopez


Three Republican senators are pushing legislation that fast-tracks permits
for natural gas pipelines in an effort to curb gas flaring.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/200576-senate-republicans-push-bill-curbing-natural-gas-flaring





E.P.A.'s Proposed Rules on Water Worry Farmers


By RON NIXON

MARCH 12, 2014
NY Times


Water rarely flows in one of the streambeds — it really
seems to be little more than a small ditch — that Dean
Lemke points out to a visitor on his 800-acre farm in
Dows, Iowa.


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/13/us/politics/environmental-protection-agency-water-rules.html?hpw&rref=us&_r=0





Press Releases





EPA Awards More than $500,000 to Schools to Help Reduce Children's Exposure
to Pesticides

Integrated pest management practices are shown to reduce pesticide use

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced three grants to facilitate integrated pest management practices
in schools. This funding will help reduce student's exposure to pests and
pesticides in the nation's schools, while saving money, energy and
pesticide treatment costs.

"Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society, and it's
EPA's job to protect them from harmful chemicals," said James Jones,
Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention. "We aim to help schools implement sustainable pest management
practices to create a healthier environment for our children and teachers."

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) reduces pesticide use, helps to eliminate
pests and saves schools money. For example, 18 schools in Monroe County,
Indiana have reduced both pesticide use and pest control costs by 90
percent using IPM practices. This approach has the potential to reach all
15,000 school districts and improve the health and well-being of the 49
million children attending public and tribal schools in the United States.

IPM measures help prevent pests from becoming a threat by taking action to
address the underlying causes that enable pests to thrive in schools. These
actions, such as repairing water leaks, adding weather stripping to
windows, and installing door sweeps, reduce pesticide use and treatment
costs while reducing water and energy costs. The IPM common-sense approach
is a stark contrast to conventional pest management in which an
exterminator uses pesticides school-wide on a regular schedule, potentially
exposing school children, teachers and staff to pesticides, with little
emphasis on removing the underlying conditions that make it inviting to
pests.

The three grants will be awarded to:

TheTexas A&M Agrilife Extension to develop a central, internet-based hub
for materials and phone apps that will give school districts the
information and tools they need to adopt an IPM program. While the project
aims to reach 1 percent of schools (552,350 students) within three years,
it has the potential to reach all of the 15,000 school districts
nation-wide and the 49 million children attending US public schools.

The University of Arizona to develop and carry out a pilot training and
certification program for school staff (custodians, kitchen staff, and
school administrators) in eight states and four tribes, working with five
other universities and stakeholders. Once finalized, the materials will be
made available to schools nation-wide through partners.

The Michigan State University to help 5 percent of Michigan and Indiana
schools adopt IPM through hands-on education, training and
coalition-building, including web-based trainings and a website. About
135,000 children may be protected.

For additional information on the three funded grants and IPM in schools,
visit: www.epa.gov/pestwise/ipminschools/grants.

More information on IPM in schools can be found at
www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm.





Mississippi's Unemployment Rate Falls to Lowest Level Since November 2008





JACKSON— Bureau of Labor Statistics figures released today by the
Mississippi Department of Employment Security show that Mississippi's
seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January 2014 was 7.5 percent—the
lowest the state has seen since November 2008, when the rate was also 7.5
percent. The unemployment rate in Mississippi has fallen by 2.2 percentage
points under Governor Phil Bryant's term.





The BLS figures also show that in January 2014, there were 10,000 more jobs
in Mississippi than there had been in January 2013.





"Our relentless commitment to economic development and our dedication to
building a strong business climate in Mississippi are yielding results,"
Gov. Phil Bryant said. "I set a goal of seeing the unemployment rate in
Mississippi fall to at least 7.5 percent, and preliminary figures show we
have reached that benchmark. This success motivates us to continue working
hard to connect even more Mississippians with jobs.





"We know that the task will not always be easy. The administration in
Washington continues to push job-killing policies and to burden businesses
with onerous mandates, so jobs figures could fluctuate during this time of
uncertainty. However, I said when I became governor that my first job was
to make sure that every Mississippian who wants a job can find one, and
that remains my chief priority."





For Job Seekers


In his 2014 State of the State Address, Gov. Bryant announced a
cutting-edge website and mobile application to connect job seekers and
employers in Mississippi. More than 27,000 job openings are currently
posted on the site at www.mississippiworks.org.





The Mississippi Department of Employment Security and the Governor's Job
Fair Network will host the Mississippi Employment Expo on Wednesday, March
19 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Mississippi Trademart in Jackson. A list
of upcoming job fairs is posted at www.mississippiworks.org and at
www.jobfairs.ms.gov.





###

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

News Clippings 3.12.14

3.12.14



Oil Spill





FLDEP Monitors Gulf Coast for Oil

WMBB


4 years after the 2010 BP oil spill, remnants can still be found on the
Panhandle's sandy shores.
Last year, the United States Coast Guard stopped actively checking for oil.
http://www.wmbb.com/story/24947730/fldep-monitors-gulf-coast-for-oil





BP Bid to Shut Down Gulf Spill Payments Rejected by Judge
Bloomberg
By Laurel Brubaker Calkins March 11, 2014

BP's bid to temporarily halt payments under its $9.2 billion oil-spill

settlement so that heightened accounting and fraud safeguards can be

established was rejected by a federal judge in New Orleans.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-03-11/bp-bid-to-shut-down-gulf-spill-payments-rejected-by-judge-1






BP pays Walton more than $7.63 million

By TOM McLAUGHLIN / Daily News
Published: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 17:48 PM.

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Two very large checks bearing the autographs of British

Petroleum financial officers have found their way into Walton County

coffers.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/local/bp-pays-walton-more-than-7-63-million-documents-1.289781





Jindal plans to use coastal fund accounting tactics

Houma Courier
Kelly Connelly
Published: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 8:22 p.m.

BATON ROUGE — Officials from Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration are

planning to use accounting maneuvers that opponents say could risk the

state's shot at BP oil spill damages in next year's budget plans.



http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20140311/ARTICLES/140319899





Florida still in grip of 2010 BP oil spill
BRADENTON HERALD EDITORIAL

March 11, 2014



A confluence of developments over the past week show once again that

Florida remains in the grip of the massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf after

the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. Including Manatee

County.





http://www.bradenton.com/2014/03/11/5039425/florida-still-in-grip-of-2010.html







State





Hattiesburg council seeks options for interest payments on waste water
construction

WDAM


HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -The Hattiesburg City Council is faced with the
decision to change the Groundworx payment plan after an unsuccessful
attempt to override the mayor's veto on raising sewer rates.
http://www.wdam.com/story/24948226/hattiesburg-council-seeks-options-for-interest-payments-on-waste-water-construction





Dangerous fuel spill on interstate 59 after tanker overturns

WDAM


HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -A tanker hauling the volatile liquid acrylonitrile
overturned at exit 60 on I-59 in Hattiesburg Tuesday night.
http://www.wdam.com/story/24948342/dangerous-fuel-spill-on-interstate-59-after-tanker-overturns





Corps Plan Hopes To Restore Mississippi Barrier Islands



MPB


BY EVELINA BURNETT | PUBLISHED 11 MAR 2014



The Army Corps of Engineers plans to spend more than $300 million to
restore Mississippi's barrier islands. As MPB's Evelina Burnett reports,
the chain of islands along the southern end of the Mississippi Sound are
the state's first line of defense from storms.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/corps_plan_hopes_to_restore_mississippi_barrier_islands




County wide clean-up in Monroe County

WTVA


ABERDEEN, Miss. (WTVA)--Monroe County officials are looking to enhance
economic development by literally cleaning up the county .

Leaders say unsightly trash and debris along highways and roads can impact
how potential business owners think of the county.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/County-wide-clean-up-in-Monroe-County/LZIoGS6Nsk-zKeF92-1ZzQ.cspx




Mississippi House passes amended bill to restructure DMR, require yearly

audit

The Associated Press

March 11, 2014 at 2:57 PM



JACKSON, Mississippi -- A plan to reorganize the scandal-plagued Department

of Marine Resources and require that it be audited every year is moving

forward.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/03/mississippi_house_passes_bill_4.html#incart_river





National






Appeals court turns aside industry challenge on EPA requirements


THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

March 11, 2014



WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court has turned aside an industry effort to
weaken compliance requirements for environmental standards that reduce soot
pollution from power plants.

http://www.therepublic.com/w/US--Appeals-Court-Power-Plants





EPA Steam-Plant Emission Rules Survive Utilities' Challenge
Bloomberg


By Andrew Zajac March 11, 2014


U.S. rules governing emissions from steam-generating power plants survived

a court challenge brought by utilities and the state of Texas, which said

the regulations were improperly devised.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-03-11/utilities-challenge-to-u-dot-s-dot-emissions-rules-rejected-by-court




Federal Agencies Developing Data, Tools For Local Climate Resiliency,

McCarthy Says

Bloomberg



Tuesday, March 11, 2014




By Andrew Childers



March 10 — Federal agencies are developing the data and tools local

governments need to develop their own climate adaptation and resiliency

strategies, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy and

other officials told the National League of Cities March 10.

http://www.bna.com/federal-agencies-developing-n17179882745/



Climate change not a top worry, poll finds
The Hill
By Rebecca Shabad


Climate change is not a top concern to the public, according to a Gallup
poll released Wednesday.




On a list of 15 national issues, climate change ranks near the bottom with
only 24 percent worrying about it "a great deal."




http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/200536-climate-change-not-a-top-worry-in-us



Natural gas industry struggles to keep promises
BY JONATHAN FAHEY

AP Energy Writer

March 11, 2014




HOUSTON -- America's plan to use more natural gas to run power plants, make

chemicals, drive vehicles and heat homes may not go as smoothly as

expected.

http://www.sunherald.com/2014/03/11/5407799/natural-gas-industry-struggles.html

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

News Clippings 3.11.14

3.11.2014



State





Environmental group asks for federal judgement over Hattiesburg sewer
treatment

WDAM


HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -The City of Hattiesburg is facing a lawsuit by Gulf
Restoration Network (GRN) for its inability to meet sewer treatment
standards under existing law.
http://www.wdam.com/story/24935904/environmental-group-ask-for-federal-judgement-over-hattiesburg-sewer-treatment





Sewer rate vote squelched
Delgado's return nixes veto override
Hattiesburg American


It is said that the Lord works in mysterious ways.



On Monday evening, that appeared to apply even to Hattiesburg sewer rates.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20140311/NEWS01/303110021/Sewer-rate-vote-squelched







Project aims to address resource problems along Black Creek corridor
Hattiesburg American


A federal project to improve the ecosystem along the Upper Black Creek

Watershed that was approved two years ago has finally been funded — and

expanded.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20140309/NEWS01/303090021/Project-aims-address-resource-problems-along-Black-Creek-corridor?nclick_check=1







Adams County battling illegal trash


AP


NATCHEZ, MISS. — Approximately 400,000 gallons of trash will be dumped on

the sides of Adams County roads this year.



http://www.sunherald.com/2014/03/11/5405470/adams-county-battling-illegal.html




City's new waste hauler at H'do Chamber
DeSoto Times
By ROBERT LEE LONG
Published: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 1:05 AM CDT



HERNANDO — Waste not, want not.

Stacy Michael with Waste Connections will discuss the City of Hernando's
transition from Republic to Waste Connections at today's Hernando Chamber
luncheon at the Gale Center.
http://www.desototimes.com/articles/2014/03/11/news/doc531e5fc02f006731356661.txt




Harrison County supervisors talk turtles and pier repairs

WLOX


HARRISON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -The subject of endangered turtles and fishing
piers came before Harrison County supervisors again on Monday morning.
Concerns about the Kemp's Ridley turtle delayed FEMA reimbursing the county
for repairs made to the Jim Simpson Pier. It's the same issue that has
delayed repair work on Gulfport's storm-damaged piers.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24932986/harrison-county-supervisors-talk-turtles-and-pier-repairs





Leftover Tidelands funds could fix siltation problems at Jackson County's

Lake Mars boat launch

Mississippi Press

April M. Havens

March 10, 2014 at 3:25 PM



PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Jackson County leaders are asking the

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources to reallocate leftover money

from one project to benefit the popular Lake Mars boat launch.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/03/leftover_tidelands_funds_could.html





Bill Walker admits he conspired to defraud goverment of DMR funds
Sun Herald

BY ANITA LEE



HATTIESBURG -- Former DMR Executive Director Bill Walker stepped silently

from a U.S. District courtroom after he pleaded guilty Monday morning to

conspiring to defraud the government, while his son said it was "tough" for

the family.





http://www.sunherald.com/2014/03/10/5403401/former-dmr-director-bill-walker.html





Former DMR director Bill Walker to be sentenced June 5

WLOX


HATTIESBURG, MS (WLOX) -The former director of the Department of Marine
Resources is now a convicted felon. Dr. Bill Walker admitted his guilt
Monday morning in Hattiesburg federal court.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24931973/former-dmr-director-bill-walker-to-be-sentenced-june-5





Former DMR director Bill Walker pleads guilty to federal charge of

conspiracy

Mississippi Press

Warren Kulo



March 10, 2014 at 1:06 PM



HATTIESBURG, Mississippi -- Former Mississippi Department of Marine

Resources Director Bill Walker pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to

defraud the federal government in federal district court in Hattiesburg

this morning.

Walker will be sentenced on June 5.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/03/bill_walker_arrives_at_federal.html#incart_river





Guilty pleas in DMR scandal likely to bring jail time, U.S. Attorney says

Mississippi Press

Warren Kulo

March 10, 2014 at 1:33 PM

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi -- After former Department of Marine Resources

director Bill Walker pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of conspiring to

defraud the federal government, his attorney said he was pleased with the

outcome.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/03/guilty_pleas_in_dmr_scandal_li.html#incart_river





National





Democratic senators begin all-night discussion on dangers of climate change

Bruce Alpert

Times-Picayune

March 10, 2014 at 8:02 PM



WASHINGTON -- Democratic senators began an all-night discussion Monday

designed to raise attention about what the speakers view as the urgent need

for Congress to address climate change.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/03/democratic_senators_plan_all-n.html#incart_river






In Fracking, the Energy Business Gets Neighborly



Industry Shows More Willingness to Listen to Environmental Concerns
Wall Street Journal


It isn't just a radical fringe of Americans who worry about the

environment—and energy executives finally seem to have noticed.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304020104579431290205031238?KEYWORDS=fracking&mg=reno64-wsj