Mississippi environmental regulators can now notify the public about pollution permits by email

Mississippi environmental regulators can now use email to tell the public about new pollution permits. They no longer have to publish these notices in newspapers. This makes it easier and cheaper for the state to approve permits, but it might make it harder for some people to find out about them.

For decades, public notices for environmental permits were published in local newspapers. This ensured that anyone, especially those without internet access, could easily find out about new projects that might affect their air quality. This change means that the state can approve permits faster and with less cost, but it shifts the burden of finding information to the public, who must now actively seek out electronic notices.