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Mississippi limits discussion at solar summit as renewable energy advocates silenced

Mississippi limits discussion at solar summit as renewable energy advocates silenced

At a solar summit in Mississippi, renewable energy advocates were denied a chance to respond to regulators’ questions, sparking frustration among industry supporters.

Kristi E. Swartz reports for Floodlight.

In short:

  • Mississippi Public Service Commission officials cut off comments from solar advocates during an open discussion at a recent summit.
  • The event featured a speaker from a fossil fuel-backed think tank, while the clean energy industry had no official representation.
  • Mississippi ranks low in solar energy production despite its high potential, generating less than 1% of its energy from solar.

Key quote:

“We want to hear from people who are not selling solar panels.”

— De’Keither Stamps, Mississippi Public Service Central District Commissioner

Why this matters:

Mississippi’s actions could further slow the adoption of renewable energy in one of the sunniest states. As climate concerns mount, stalling clean energy progress undermines national and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Related:

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Top Mississippi Republicans support new EV battery plant despite Trump’s criticism

Top Mississippi Republicans support new EV battery plant despite Trump’s criticism

Mississippi’s leading Republicans celebrated the groundbreaking of a $1.9 billion electric vehicle battery plant, creating 2,000 high-paying jobs, while former President Trump criticized such green jobs as benefiting China.

Bobby Harrison reports for Mississippi Today.

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Biden aims to revive Mississippi River transport to reduce emissions

Biden aims to revive Mississippi River transport to reduce emissions

President Biden plans to modernize Mississippi River transport with $2.5 billion to cut emissions, but environmentalists raise concerns.

Ry Rivard and Garrett Downs report for POLITICO.

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New Orleans declares emergency over saltwater intrusion in drinking water

New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell signed an emergency declaration for the city last week amid concerns about saltwater from the the Gulf of Mexico that has been creeping up the drought-hit Mississippi River in Louisiana.

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A Mississippi community takes on a U.K. energy giant over pollution concerns

Drax Group has been the subject of yearslong efforts by local residents, environmentalists and state regulators to rein in emissions from its Gloster wood pellet plant. Some are running out of patience, reports Nidhi Sharma for NBC News.

In a nutshell:

Residents of Gloster, a majority-Black community in southwest Mississippi, are engaged in an ongoing battle against Drax Group, a U.K.-based energy company operating a wood pellet production plant in the town. The residents' concerns revolve around deteriorating air quality and health issues, prompting demands for action. Drax's facility is part of the wood pellet manufacturing hub in the South, which supplies biomass fuels to European countries, even as the biomass industry faces increasing scrutiny for its potential contribution to carbon emissions.

Key quotes:

“They claim to be the good guys, but the industry is one of the most polluting and most damaging to the environment and to communities,” Robert Musil, president and CEO of the Rachel Carson Council said.

The big picture:

Wood pellet production can result in adverse health impacts by emitting hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds during the manufacturing process. These pollutants, which include chemicals with carcinogenic properties and those that can damage vital organs, can be inhaled by those living in nearby communities, leading to respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and other adverse health effects.

Read the article at NBC News.

In 2020, Danielle Purifoy wrote that the expanding wood pellet market in the Southeast has fallen short of climate and job goals—instead bringing air pollution, noise and reduced biodiversity in majority Black communities.

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A pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi has lessons for future CO2 projects

Companies are building carbon dioxide pipelines as a possible climate solution. But after a pipeline rupture sent dozens to the hospital in a Mississippi town, there are questions about their safety.
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Scientists find link between climate change and extreme tornadoes

A recent study is disrupting the conventional wisdom that there is no connection between climate change and deadly tornadoes, such as the ones that tore through Mississippi over the weekend.

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