Press Releases
Commission Delays Decision on Power Lines for Dirty Coal, Concerns Over Costs of the Big Stone II Plant
St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Public Utility Commission decided today to delay a decision on the Certificate of Need for power lines leading to the proposed Big Stone II coal-burning power plant in South Dakota. Commissioners found that information currently available is insufficient as to the costs of implementing the project. Commissioners expressed concerns about the likely impact on rate payers in Minnesota should the plant go forward.
Setbacks for Big Stone II, Fresh Air for Citizens
Sierra Club and Clean Water Action Challenge South Dakota Air Permit for Big Stone II Project
Today the Sierra Club and Clean Water Action filed a petition asking the state of South Dakota to reject plans to construct the Big Stone II coal-fired power plant because of the unhealthy levels of air pollution the plant would emit. Proposed by Otter Tail Power, the plan for Big Stone II fails to adequately control emissions of acid rain, smog and asthma-causing pollutants.
Big Stone II Power Plant Dealt Blow
St. Paul, MN - Clean Water Action and allies applaud the decision of two Administrative Law Judges today. His ruling stated that the owners failed to demonstrate need for Big Stone II - the coal power plant expansion in neighboring South Dakota. This reaffirms the growing realization that continued reliance on coal is unnecessary and not worth the health, environmental and economic impacts. The ruling comes on the heels of numerous other failed coal power plant projects across the the country.
Public Forum on Big Stone II
"List of potential harms is really alarming" Jana Linderman, Attorney, Plains Justice
Sioux Falls, SD—Community interest groups and representatives from the region's most influential conservation and environmental groups will gather Monday, August 6 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the RobertsCounty 4-H Building in Sisseton to talk about what a new coal plant at Big Stone Lake will mean for area resident's health, the environment and the local economy.
Scientific report confirms global warming impacts we see today could be the tip of the iceberg
Congress must enact solutions now to avoid catastrophic impacts
Sioux Falls, SD—Today the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its second report this year that details the current and projected impacts of global warming. The Summary for Policy Makers of the Second Working Group report, Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, emphasizes that global warming is already having far reaching effects world wide and documen ts specific regional impacts that can be expected if temperatures continue to rise.
Other Press Releases
Clean Water Action Endorses Mark Schauer
Battle Creek -- Clean Water Action today endorsed State Senator Mark Schauer, a Battle Creek Democrat, in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District.
"We are pleased to announce today that Clean Water Action officially endorses Mark Schauer for Congress," said Cyndi Roper, Michigan Director. "He’ll continue work to protect Michigan’s 
Mark Schauerlakes, river, streams and drinking water sources as well as the health of our families and communities.”
Clean Water Action Endorses Mark Udall
DENVER, CO—Clean Water Action today announced its endorsement of Congressman Mark Udall for the United States Senate.
"We are pleased to announce today that Clean Water Action officially endorses Congressman Udall to be Colorado’s next United States Senator," said Kathleen Aterno, Clean Water Action’s Colorado State Director. “Congressman Udall has been an incredible environmental champion for Colorado and a real track record. We know he will work to protect Colorado’s lakes, river, streams and drinking water sources as well as the health of our families and communities.”
Clean Water Action Endorses Joe Sestak
Environmental Group Cites Green Record
Philadelphia: Clean Water Action today announced its endorsement of Joe Sestak (D-07) in the 2008 election.
"We are pleased to announce today that Clean Water Action officially endorses the Hon. Joe Sestak for Congress," said Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania Director of Clean Water Action. "We are confident that he will continue work to protect Pennsylvania's lakes, rivers, streams and drinking water sources as well as the health of our families and communities."
Clean Water Action Endorses Congressman Patrick Murphy
Environmental Group Cites Water Record
Philadelphia: Clean Water Action today announced its endorsement of Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-08) in the 2008 General Election.
"We are pleased to announce today that Clean Water Action officially endorses Patrick Murphy for the U.S. Congress," said Myron Arnowitt. "We are confident that he will continue work to protect Pennsylvania's lakes, river, streams and drinking water sources as well as the health of our families and communities."
Compromise Energy Bills Are a First Step
Special Interest Dimmer Switch Limits Crucial Energy Reform
Clean Water Action supported the energy package passed by the Michigan legislature earlier today. Although Michigan has a long way to go to be a real leader in renewable energy, we believe the state took a necessary first step when the House and Senate passed a compromise package.
The bi-partisan energy package requires utilities to get 10% of their energy from renewable sources by 2015 and puts in place programs that will cut energy use by 1% per year by 2012. Moreover, the package includes Integrated Resource Planning, which requires utilities to weigh the large economic and health costs of new polluting power sources against the benefits of renewable energy and efficiency programs.
Clean Water Action Statement on Phil Clapp
Statement from John DeCock, President of Clean Water Action
Clean Water Action joins with others in our community in mourning the loss of Phillip E. Clapp. We have lost a great spirit and a remarkable individual. Phil was a powerhouse of an advocate when he worked at Clean Water Action in the late 80s and early 90s before going on to become founder of the National Environmental Trust, now the Pew Environmental Group.
Congress Urged To Act In Wake of Leaked EPA Memo
Clean Water Act Violations Ignored By Bush Administration
Washington, DC - A leading public interest group called on Congress to act immediately on the proposed Clean Water Restoration Act after it was revealed in a government memo today that enforcement of the federal Clean Water Act was suffering.
"It is outrageous if not surprising that the Bush administration has failed to protect America's waters in more than 300 instances, and unless Congress moves to remedy the situation we can expect more of our drinking water sources and other waters to be open season for polluters," said Lynn Thorp, Clean Water Action's National Campaigns Coordinator.
Clean Water Action Kicks Off Round Two Of Its Campaign For Curbside Recycling In St. Petersburg
Message To Mayor Baker - Take It To The Curb!
June 24, 2008
St. Petersburg, FL - Clean Water Action today
launched round two in its battle to bring curbside recycling to St.
Petersburg. Clean Water Action is providing members with a sign and
asking members and supporters to place it on or near their trash can
during the week of June 30th. The goal? Send a clear message to the
Mayor and City that residents want curbside recycling.
Environmental Groups and Legislators Applaud Passage of Connecticut Global Warming Solutions Act
Historic legislation creates mandatory pollution caps
Hartford — Leading Connecticut environmental organizations joined legislators in celebrating the final passage in the Senate of An Act Concerning Connecticut Global Warming Solutions (HB 5600) on May 5th. The bill caps emissions of global warming pollution and requires emissions cuts to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% emissions reductions from 2001 levels by 2050. The bill passed out of the House of Representatives on April 28th 131 to 16 and passed out of the Senate unanimously today.
Clean Water Action Applauds Senate Action on Climate Change
Science-based Standards are Essential to Revive Economy and Avoid Worst Impacts
Today, Clean Water Action applauded the U.S. Senate vote to proceed
with debate on the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. Clean Water
Action urged the Senate to strengthen this bill with science-based
policies and increased encouragement of innovation and spending on
clean energy.
Environmental Groups Announce Top 2008 Electoral Targets
Collaborative Effort Aimed at Electing Mark Udall, Tom Udall and Jeanne Shaheen to the U.S. Senate
Congress Urged To Restore Water Protections
Washington, DC - A leading public interest group
in testimony today urged Congress to pass a new law safeguarding all of
America's waters, saying the public strongly supports returning
measures protecting wetlands and streams across the country.
Drugs In Drinking Water: Leading Water Advocate Urges Congress To Act
Prevention, Treatment, Monitoring Urged In Senate Testimony
Washington, DC - A leading advocate for drinking water safety
testifying today before a U.S. Senate Committee said Congress should
take immediate steps to protect consumers' health in the wake of an
Associated Press investigation that found that the drinking water of
millions of Americans may be contaminated by a wide range of
pharmaceuticals.