Tell Governor Blagojevich to protect us, not the polluters
Dear Illinois PIRG supporter,
As you may know, we have been working this year to reduce toxic mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants across the state. These plants emit more than 6,000 pounds of mercury every year, which can cause serious health problems including learning disabilities for kids who are exposed.
Governor Blagojevich promised to clean up these plants, but on September 30, after 3 years of studying, his office issued a report recommending more studies and no action.
Please e-mail the governor and express your disappointment in his recent report. Then ask your family and friends to contact the governor by forwarding this email to them.
To take action, click the following link, or simply paste it into your web browser:
http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=78&id4=ES
Background
Increasingly, women and children are being warned not to eat many types of fish due to mercury contamination. In fact, the Illinois Department of Public Health has issued a mercury warning for every body of water in Illinois, including Lake Michigan. The mercury found in fish can cause a variety of health problems particularly for young children, ranging from learning disabilities to loss of motor skills and developmental retardation.
Coal-burning power plants comprise by far the largest source of toxic mercury pollution. The mercury emitted by power plants ends up in our lakes and streams, and eventually in the fish that can find their way to our dinner tables.
However, we do not have to give up eating fish. Instead, we should clean up the power plants. Modern emission controls can capture 90 percent of the mercury before it ends up in our food. Plants in New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts are already on schedule to meet 90 percent reduction targets, and we can do the same in Illinois.
In 2001, the Illinois legislature passed a law requiring the Governor to study the problem of power plant pollution and issue a report stating whether and how much to require these old, uncontrolled plants to clean up.
As a candidate, the Governor made a pledge to clean up old power plants. But now, his administration appears to be siding with the polluters. On September 30, after 3 years of studying, the administration issued a report calling for nothing but more studies.
Please help us persuade the Governor to stick to his promise to protect public health instead of the polluters. Then ask your family and friends to help out too by forwarding this email to them.
To take action, click the following link, or simply paste it into your web browser:
http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=78&id4=ES
Sincerely,
Rebecca D. Stanfield
Illinois PIRG Environmental Attorney
RebeccaS@illinoispirg.org
http://www.IllinoisPIRG.org
P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family and friends.
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