As this summer’s drought prompts more Wisconsinites to call for action to tackle global warming and the rise in extreme weather, Wisconsin Environment released a new report today that shows that Wisconsin’s current power generation from wind energy displaces as much global warming pollution as taking 133,000 cars off the road per year.
Madison, WI —The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed historic new limits on carbon pollution from new power plants. Carbon pollution fuels global warming, which leads to poor air quality that triggers asthma attacks and other respiratory problems.
Madison, WI– Wisconsin's power plants emit more mercury pollution than power plants in over 30 other states, according to brand new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data outlined in Wisconsin Environment latest report, Wisconsin's Biggest Mercury Polluters. The report found that in total, power plants in Wisconsin emitted 1329 pounds of mercury pollution in 2010. Wisconsin Environment’s report comes as EPA is set to finalize a standard to limit mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants next month.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Today Wisconsin Environment released a new report showing that 3 metropolitan areas in Wisconsin – Kenosha, Sheboygan and Racine – are among the top ten smoggiest small metropolitan areas in the country. Smog is a harmful air pollutant that leads to asthma attacks and exacerbates respiratory illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. The new report, Danger in the Air: Unhealthy Air Days in 2010 and 2011, also found that there were 11 days in 2010 in Wisconsin when at least part of the state experienced smog levels exceeding the national health standard. Also, this summer, residents in the Milwaukee area were alerted to unhealthy air on 4 days.
Washington, DC – President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress yesterday on the subject of job creation. While focused mostly on a job-creating agenda, the President reiterated his support for environmental and health protections including “rules that keep our kids from being exposed to mercury” and challenged the country to be in a “race to the top” when it comes to pollution standards. The President also questioned the need for subsidies to Big Oil and announced infrastructure and school investments that could lead to cleaner transportation options and energy efficiency improvements.