Turning Out the Environmental Vote in 2010

Clean Water Action builds grassroots strength in key states and communities to change politics and environmental policy in states, local communities and Washington, DC. We run muscular and effective grassroots campaigns to defeat anti-environment candidates, and support candidates who are committed to protecting our waters, our health, and our future. Our political program is non partisan.

Today’s guest blogger is Emma Shlaes, Clean Water Action National Campaigns Associate.

Summer is winding down. When you put your child on the bus for school, or take that one last road trip of the season, you expect that everyone will stay safe and healthy, as long as there are no accidents. But there is a hidden danger lurking around most school buses, highways and too many residential neighborhoods and schools. Dangerous and preventable diesel pollution from buses, trucks and construction vehicles is placing families in harm's way.

Dirty diesel engines emit a mixture of particles, metals and gases called "particulate matter" which include over 40 "hazardous air pollutants" as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. This mixture can cause a range of health problems. From increased rates of asthma, to lung cancer, stroke and heart attack, diesel pollution contributes to countless illnesses and 21,000 early deaths a year.

In addition to being a serious public health problem, diesel pollution contributes to climate change by emitting a pollutant that’s aptly named “black carbon”. Black carbon soot is approximately 2,000 times more potent as a global warming agent than an equal amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). Over half the black carbon emissions in the U.S. come from diesel engines. Fortunately, black carbon is a short-lived pollutant and does not remain in the atmosphere, so this is one aspect of climate change we can do something about right now.

How do you ask? Available retrofits can reduce diesel particulate matter and black carbon emissions by at least 90% from the 11 million old, dirty diesel engines that are currently used in the U.S. This means an instant reduction of black soot in our atmosphere. Additionally, studies indicate that for every dollar spent on reducing particulate matter pollution from diesel engines, $12 would be avoided in monetized health damages. That translates to improved health for you and your family.

Since 2005, the federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) has been funding retrofits for existing heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines in every state in the U.S. DERA has enjoyed support by: members of both parties in Congress, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and industry, labor, environmental and health groups. This important act is set to expire in 2011 and Congress must reauthorize it at the same level of funding if we are to see continued reduction in diesel pollution and the health effects it causes.

Clean Water Action works nationally and in the states to pass policies that will clean up diesel pollution and protect communities. Some states haven’t waited for government protections and funding to take action. For example, Clean Water Action recently helped Rhode Island pass the Clean Construction Law, which requires diesel-burning construction equipment on federally funded projects to be retrofitted to reduce emissions by 2013. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey have also taken action at the state and local level. Find out more.

Clean Water Action works as part of the Diesel Clean-Up Campaign, a nationwide collaboration of organizations committed to reducing diesel emissions 40 percent by the year 2012, 55 percent by 2015 and 70 percent by 2020. You can visit their website at www.dieselcleanup.org

Position: Michigan Campaigns Director
Location: East Lansing, MI

Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund seek a Campaigns Director who will work with other staff to mobilize and advocate on behalf of the organization's 250,000 Michigan members and its environmental, public health and democracy campaigns, lawmaker accountability and electoral programs. Clean Water Action is a national citizens' organization working for clean, safe and affordable water, prevention of health-threatening pollution, creation of environmentally-safe jobs and businesses, and empowerment of people to make democracy work.

Countdown to Catastrophe

Will the legislature put a ban on drilling in the Great Lakes on the November ballot or will we risk more spills?

July 28th, 2010 - photos of the Oil Disaster in Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties. Over 1,000,000+ gallons of crude oil flowed into Talmadge Creek and then into the Kalamazoo River, called the worst oil spill disaster in the Midwest.
Keep this from happening again in Michigan.  Sign our petition and urge your lawmakers to ban drilling in the Great Lakes.
Courtesy The Sierra Club Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

The clock is ticking. Our state Legislature has until September 2 to put a ban on Great Lakes drilling on the November ballot so Michigan voters can choose to protect our waters - permanently. Every day Speaker of the House Andy Dillon and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop fail to allow a vote is a day we're closer to failing to permanently prevent a BP-style catastrophe for our waters. 

Our Countdown to Catastrophe will keep track of the days left for the Legislature to act to put a Great Lakes drilling ban on the November ballot. You can help by signing our petition to lawmakers urging them to meet the September 2 deadline for ballot measures.

Action Urged As Clock Ticking On Deadline for Great Lakes Drilling Ban

A Record Oil Spill Means Legislature Must Act by Sept. 2 Deadline For November Ballot

LANSING, MI - In the wake of the Kalamazoo River oil spill and an approaching deadline for ballot measures, Clean Water Action today said lawmakers should return from Tuesday's primary election and act quickly on stalled measures to put a permanent ban on oil drilling before voters in the November election.

Dillon, Mayes Top List of Worst Lawmakers

Clean Water Action has released scorecard ratings of Michigan state House legislators on environmental issues and for the first time two Democratic leaders head the list of Worst Lawmakers.

State House Speaker Andy Dillon and fellow Democrat Jeff Mayes, chair of the House energy committee, were given low marks for their leadership failures on key environmental and jobs-related issues in Clean Water Action's 2009-2010 Legislative Scorecard.