A massive record will exist of companies, trade associations and individuals expressing objections to EPA’s proposed rule to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. The proposal truly may be the most radical to come from EPA and will have disastrous impacts on Mississippi, if implemented. Read the Mississippi Energy Institute’s submitted comment here.

While the debate over EPA's 111d proposal will carry on beyond next summer when a final rule is expected, another costly and important proposal by EPA for ozone standards should be heavily scrutinized. Local officials and economic development professionals should pay careful attention to both. If implemented, 111(d) will dramatically drive up electricity rates, and areas not meeting ozone standards will be shackled with a range of economic sanctions. Read more here.

In an effort to meet the growing skilled workforce demand of companies located or looking to locate in Mississippi, Governor Bryant is pushing a $3 million plan to help pay community college tuitions for students who earn a technical diploma in high school. Read more at the Mississippi Business Journal. 

Across the nation, manufacturers are increasingly looking to high schools and community colleges to fill current staffing needs and gear up for a wave of Baby Boomer retirements. Educators are trying to dispel student's misconceptions about the industry and spark their interest before they choose other jobs or head to four-year colleges, a costly career investment that has yielded disappointing results for some graduates. Read more at USA Today here. 

With U.S. economic growth on a firmer footing, and demand ticking up, the availability of skilled labor has become the #1 factor in site decisions, according to latest survey of company executives by Area Development magazine, rising from the #3 factor in the year-earlier survey. Read more here.