The black smoke that pours out of diesel trucks, locomotives, city buses and school buses, is extraordinarily dangerous and poses shockingly high health risks. Diesel emissions have been shown to have 8 times the lifetime cancer risk than that posed by all the other 133 hazardous air pollutants combined. Disturbingly, the levels of diesel exhaust can be 5-10 times greater inside school buses than outside.

The fine particulates in diesel exhaust pollution cause asthma, heart attacks and premature death. The lifetime lung cancer risk from diesel pollution in Michigan is 298 times EPA’s acceptable cancer level of 1 in a million. Detroit is the 10th worse metro region in the nation for diesel pollution.

Perchlorate is a chemical used in solid fuel for missiles and rockets. Small amounts of perchlorate are used in car air bags, electronics, fireworks and fertilizer. Since the 1950s, over 870 million pounds of perchlorate have been manufactured in the United States. As a result of its manufacture, use and disposal, perchlorate is being discovered in soil, groundwater, drinking water, and irrigation water around the country. Perchlorate also occurs naturally in the environment, and has been found in the Texas and in the Southwestern United States. Perchlorate is the main ingredient in missile and rocket fuel and has been found in ground and surface water throughout the country since the 1950's.

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Groundbreaking Progress In Connecticut

The debate over the science on global warming has shifted to a debate about how best to address the problem. Since 2002 Clean Water Action and Connecticut Climate Coalition supporters have been working to demonstrate public support to make a state global warming plan a reality.

In 2004 we worked to pass global warming goals legislation in the spring of 2004. The legislation adopted the New England Governors’ pollution reduction goals and mandated that the state release a climate plan by February 2005.

Flame retardants are widely used in a variety of products to prevent and slow the spread of fire. While fire safety is very important, some flame retardants contain toxic chemicals that get into the environment and into the human body, and have been linked to adverse health impacts.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants that are highly persistent in the environment. PBDEs accumulate in the food chain and in the human body. A common commercial form, known as deca-BDE, is widely used in televisions, computers, wires, cables and some textiles. However, safer alternatives are available.

Plans for the proposed Big Stone II coal plant near Milbank, South Dakota call for using massive amounts of water. In addition to the 3.2 billion gallon surface draw approved last year, co-owners have now filed for another 3.2 billion gallons from groundwater. With concerns about pollution growing and spiraling costs for the proposed coal plant, excessive water demands add another reason to say no to Big Stone II. This huge demand for water could be disastrous for the local area and farmers - as well as Big Stone Lake. For many years, water discharge has exceeded recharge, and experts say that previous underground water levels are not likely to return because of increased demand on a limited resource.

Problem

Otter Tail Power Company, in conjunction with several other power companies, is proposing a major new source of air and water pollution for South Dakota and Minnesota. Otter Tail plans to more than double the output of the existing coalburning power plant at Big Stone by building a new $1.6 billion plant on the same site . Big Stone II. Coal pollution is a threat to our health and environment. Investing in a costly new coal-burning power plant wastes money and takes South Dakota away from safe, clean renewable energy from wind.

Toxic Coal Pollution

What are Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)?

PFCs were made by the 3M Company in Cottage Grove and in several other communities around the world. These chemicals were used in household and industrial products such as stain repellents, lubricants, fire retardants, fire suppressants and pesticides. Two of the most common uses of PFCs found in the home are the products Teflon and Scotchguard. Three types of PFCs have contaminated East Metro water systems, as well as Lake Calhoun and other metro area lakes. They are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA).¹

Why is there concern about PFCs?