> From my Michigan colleague.....FYI.
> 
> Lyle
> 
> 
> --------------------------- cc:Mail Users-----------------------------
> ** Remember to DELETE the 'Sender: ...' lines above before REPLYing **
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> FINALLY!  A couple years late, but at least she acted --
>  
> Anne Woiwode, State Director
> Sierra Club Mackinac (Michigan) Chapter
> 
> 
> From: [log in to unmask]
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jason Barbose
> Sent: Monday, April 17, 2006 1:22 PM
> To: ENVIROMICH
> Subject: E-M:/ Governor orders 90% mercury cut
>  
> AP Newsbreak: Granholm orders 90 percent mercury reduction
> http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/business/index.ssf?/base/news-33/11452910473471
> 0.xml&storylist=autonews2
> <http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/business/index.ssf?/base/news-33/1145291047347
> 10.xml&amp;storylist=autonews2>
> 
> For immediate release: April 17, 2006
> Contact: Jason Barbose, Field Organizer
> (734) 662-6597 
>   
> Governor Requires Power Plants to Reduce Toxic Mercury Pollution
> A Victory for Public Health and Environment
>   
> Lansing‹Governor Granholm announced today that she is requiring power plants
> to reduce toxic mercury pollution by 90%, a step that will clean up Michigan¹s
> waterways and protect the health of Michigan families.
>   
> ³Our kids should be mercury-free, and today¹s announcement is a huge step
> towards making that goal a reality,² said PIRGIM Field Organizer Jason
> Barbose.  ³It¹s really a major victory for our health and environment.²
>   
> Governor Granholm¹s announcement directs the Michigan Department of
> Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to immediately begin a rule-making to require
> coal-burning power plants to reduce mercury emissions.  The Governor¹s
> recommendation for a 90% reduction in mercury emissions by 2015 sets the stage
> for a strong final rule that will adequately protect public health.
>   
> ³We know that mercury pollution spewed into the air from power plants in
> Michigan ends up in the fish we eat.  We also know that mercury can cause
> serious health problems like learning disabilities in kids,² said Barbose. ³It
> is common sense to quickly and affordably reduce this threat, and it¹s
> wonderful that the Governor is doing so.²
>   
> The Governor¹s decision marks a significant victory in one of PIRGIM¹s
> top-priority campaigns.  PIRGIM has long advocated for swift reductions in
> mercury from power plants in order to protect Michiganders from the dangers of
> this potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain, heart, and immune system.
> While 90% reductions can and should be accomplished sooner than 2015, today¹s
> action is nonetheless a welcome milestone in PIRGIM¹s multi-year effort and a
> tremendous improvement over weak federal standards that would delay meaningful
> reductions for 20 years.
>   
> Over the course of the campaign, PIRGIM spoke with over 50,000 Michiganders,
> delivered 8,000 postcards to the Governor, organized over 3,000 phone calls
> and emails to the Governor, and directly made the case to the administration
> for strong, quick action.  PIRGIM also released 4 reports highlighting the
> extensive mercury contamination of waterways and fish in Michigan.
>   
> ³Governor Granholm has listened to the people of Michigan. The public asked to
> be protected from toxic mercury and the Governor delivered,² said Barbose.
> ³This is a victory for levelheaded solutions over utility industry
> scare-tactics.² 
>   
> Governor Granholm¹s announcement follows similar action by the governors of
> Illinois and Pennsylvania, and lawsuits filed by over a dozen states
> (including Michigan) against the Bush administration¹s weak mercury rules that
> violate the Clean Air Act.
>   
> ³With all that has happened here in Michigan and around the country to reduce
> power plant mercury emissions, it¹s just not credible when industry says that
> it cannot be done,² continued Barbose.  ³90% reductions can be done, should be
> done, and now, will be done.²
>   
> Power plants are the largest industrial source of U.S. mercury emissions.  In
> Michigan, coal-burning power plants emit 2,464 lbs of mercury each year.  As a
> result, mercury pollution is so pervasive in Michigan that the state has
> posted mercury-related fish consumption advisories for every inland lake and
> all 2,199 miles of Great Lakes coastline. These advisories warn people to
> avoid or limit their consumption of certain types of fish.  Due to high levels
> of mercury emissions, the U.S. EPA estimates that one in six women has enough
> mercury in her body to put her child at risk should she become pregnant.
>   
> In addition, Mercury contamination is a threat to recreational fishing. In
> 2001, Michigan anglers spent $838,558,000 on recreational fishing, ranking
> Michigan ninth largest in the country for money spent on recreational fishing.
>   
>   
> # # # 
>   
> On Tuesday, April 18, PIRGIM, Michigan Environmental Council, MDEQ Director
> Steven Chester, and Dr. Phyllis Meadows, director of the Detroit Department of
> Public Health, will discuss the impact of today¹s announcement at a press
> conference at the Detroit Public Health Department at 11:30 am. Address: 1151
> Taylor, Detroit, WIC Waiting Room.
>   
> PIRGIM (Public Interest Research Group in Michigan) is a non-profit,
> non-partisan public interest advocacy organization.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Jason Barbose
> PIRGIM Field Organizer
>  
> 103 E. Liberty St., Suite 202
> Ann Arbor, MI 48104
> 734.662.6597
> [log in to unmask]
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