> 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&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 > > LansingGovernor Granholm announced today that she is requiring power plants > to reduce toxic mercury pollution by 90%, a step that will clean up Michiganıs > waterways and protect the health of Michigan families. > > ³Our kids should be mercury-free, and todayıs announcement is a huge step > towards making that goal a reality,² said PIRGIM Field Organizer Jason > Barbose. ³Itıs really a major victory for our health and environment.² > > Governor Granholmıs 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 Governorıs > 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 itıs > wonderful that the Governor is doing so.² > > The Governorıs decision marks a significant victory in one of PIRGIMıs > 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, todayıs > action is nonetheless a welcome milestone in PIRGIMıs 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 Granholmıs announcement follows similar action by the governors of > Illinois and Pennsylvania, and lawsuits filed by over a dozen states > (including Michigan) against the Bush administrationıs 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, itıs 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 todayıs 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] > ============================================================== ENVIRO-MICH: > Internet List and Forum for Michigan Environmental and Conservation Issues and > Michigan-based Citizen Action. 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