From my Michigan colleague.....FYI.

Lyle


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FINALLY!  A couple years late, but at least she acted --
 
Anne Woiwode, State Director
Sierra Club Mackinac (Michigan) Chapter

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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-33/114529104734710.xml&storylist=autonews2 <http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/business/index.ssf?/base/news-33/114529104734710.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 Michigan’s waterways and protect the health of Michigan families.
  
“Our kids should be mercury-free, and today’s announcement is a huge step towards making that goal a reality,” said PIRGIM Field Organizer Jason Barbose.  “It’s really a major victory for our health and environment.”
  
Governor Granholm’s 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 Governor’s recommendation for a 90% reduction in mercury emissions by 2015 sets the stage for a strong final rule that will adequately protect public health.
  
“We 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,” said Barbose. “It is common sense to quickly and affordably reduce this threat, and it’s wonderful that the Governor is doing so.”
  
The Governor’s decision marks a significant victory in one of PIRGIM’s 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, today’s action is nonetheless a welcome milestone in PIRGIM’s 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.
  
“Governor Granholm has listened to the people of Michigan. The public asked to be protected from toxic mercury and the Governor delivered,” said Barbose.  “This is a victory for levelheaded solutions over utility industry scare-tactics.”
  
Governor Granholm’s announcement follows similar action by the governors of Illinois and Pennsylvania, and lawsuits filed by over a dozen states (including Michigan) against the Bush administration’s weak mercury rules that violate the Clean Air Act.
  
“With all that has happened here in Michigan and around the country to reduce power plant mercury emissions, it’s just not credible when industry says that it cannot be done,” continued Barbose.  “90% reductions can be done, should be done, and now, will be done.”
  
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.
  
  
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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 today’s 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.


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Jason Barbose
PIRGIM Field Organizer
 
103 E. Liberty St., Suite 202
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734.662.6597
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