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.

It seemed crystal clear. When Consumers Energy recently shelved plans for a dirty, unneeded coal plant that would have saddled ratepayers and shareholders with billions in costs, it appeared as though the utility giant was finally seeing clearly.

Unfortunately, that's not the case.

Consumers is seeing about as clearly as if the board were wearing mud-covered glasses. That's the only explanation possible for the decision to pursue permits to drain wetlands in a watershed that directly impacts Lake Huron near Bay City for the new, dirty, costly, and unneeded coal plant. A plant, remember, the utility said was put on hold indefinitely.

By weighing-in today, you can make sure the state officials making the decision on the wetlands permit don't have the same vision problems.

What do water rights mean to you? Some common questions and and answers.

Does water rights legislation mean more taxes?

No, absolutely not. The goal of Clean Water Action's water rights campaign is to make sure that your rights to plentiful groundwater are protected-so wells won't run dry and lake and stream levels stay healthy.  Taxes aren't mentioned or intended in the proposed laws.

Although Michigan's lakes, rivers and streams still have some protections against damaging water exports, court decisions trigged by lawsuits from international water companies have eroded our rights to control what happens to our groundwater, the lifeblood of the entire Great Lakes system.

What are all those chemicals in your shampoo? Your lipstick? your aftershave? And what do they have to do with asthma, breast cancer and learning disabilities?

Learn, share and help change this toxic mess: Watch The Story of Cosmetics, a 8-minute film exposing the ugly truth about personal care products - brought to you by Clean Water Action, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Annie Leonard's Story of Stuff Project and Free Range Studios, and take action to help pass the Safe Cosmetics Act.

Why is Clean Water Action calling for a permanent ban to drilling in the Great Lakes?

Source: State of Michigan Executive Budget, FY2011

Michigan sells its natural beauty to the rest of the country through its "Pure Michigan" tourism campaign. Michigan has a long history of environmental and conservation innovation and leadership. Unfortunately, in recent years, that dedication has weakened, and investment has faded.

Source: University of Notre Dame's Center for Aquatic Conservation

Located in the center of the planet's greatest freshwater resource, Michigan has a unique role as steward and caretaker of the majestic Great Lakes. They contain almost 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water, and Michigan is the only state entirely within their basin. The rivers, streams, ponds and groundwater that are the Lakes' lifeblood are also the backbone of the Michigan economy, essential to the health of its ecosystems and vital to our very identity as Michiganders. Unfortunately, our water resources are at continuing risk.

Michigan is only as strong as its next generation. That's why Michigan legislators must be forceful advocates for the health and safety of children, especially children in economically disadvantaged areas who are typically exposed to higher levels of pollutants.

This can be accomplished through laws limiting chemicals and pollutants linked to afflictions like childhood asthma, obesity, autism, learning disabilities and cancers.

Many of our laws and protections, however, are outdated, ineffective and have not kept pace with a new generation of scientific and health research.