Somewhere around half, maybe more, of the toxic soup we are now breathing is from power plants, more of which are proposed for Wisconsin.
The first link below is to submit comments to the PSC regarding their pending approval of more coal pollution, despite that fact that such approvals will make it theoretically impossible to meet the current governor's written goals regarding % renewable energy portfolio, and reductions in global warming pollutants... Makes an intelligent observer wonder why he does not simply issue a moratorium on new coal plants, or he does not have Constitutional authority to do that, use high pollution episodes like the current on to advocate a coal moratorium before the legislature... Instead, he wrote EPA asking them not to declare Dane and other counties in violation of particulate pollution standards - but clearly, we are. Even though much of this often comes from other states upwind, there is much we can do in Dane County to thin the soup quite a bit - which is what some people on this list advocate. A clean-air biker is a much happier biker! http://psc.wi.gov/apps/erf_public/comment/comment.aspx?util=6680&case=CE&num=170 http://psc.wi.gov/apps/dockets/comment.aspx Jeff Schimpff Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Madison, WI 608-267-7853 "Bus, Bike, Carpool to Work for Clean Air for Kids" -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of George Perkins Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 3:32 PM To: Dane County Bicycle Transportation Alliance Subject: [Bikies] Air Quality Watch for Particle Pollution 9/23 - 9/24 Despite 9/22 being World Car Free day, we still got clobbered. ---- From: Jim Powell (Madison Environmental Justice Organization) Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 3:09 PM To: SustainDane Subject: [SustainDane] Fwd: Air Quality Watch for Particle Pollution Hi folks. 1. It's the first day of fall and we have our first air quality warning of the season (for particle pollution). See below. 2. Once EPA finalizes in December the listing of Dane County as on "nonattainment" of federal air quality standards for particle pollution, plans for reducing particle pollution within Dane County will have to be developed. 3. FYI: The Dane County Clean Air Coalition only issues it "Clean Air Action Days" for high ozone pollution, not particle pollution, so don't expect to see free rides on Metro announced! -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Air Quality Watch for Particle Pollution Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:49:32 -0500 From: DNR Air Quality Report <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is issuing an Air Quality Watch for Particle Pollution for Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties effective midnight on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 through 11:59 pm on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 . The watch is being issued because of the forecast for elevated levels of fine particles in the air. Fine particle pollution is composed of microscopic dust, soot, liquid droplets and smoke particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller. These fine particles come primarily from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust, and outdoor fires. The Air Quality Index is forecast to reach the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for people in sensitive groups. People in those sensitive groups include those with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. When an air quality watch is issued, people in those groups are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities during the watch period. People with lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and heart disease should pay attention to cardiac symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms like coughing, wheezing and discomfort when taking a breath, and consult with their physician if they have concerns or are experiencing symptoms. Fine particle pollution deposits itself deep into the lungs and cannot easily be exhaled. People who are at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high particle pollution exposure. To receive air quality advisories by e-mail, visit http://dnr.wi.gov/air/newsletters/. There are several actions the public can take to reduce their contributions to this regional air quality problem. * Reduce driving when possible and don't leave vehicle engines idling. * Postpone activities that use small gasoline and diesel engines. * Minimize outdoor wood fires. * Conserve electricity. * For more ideas on how you can reduce your emissions today and every day visit: Do a little, save a lot! For more information: * Air Quality Watches and Advisories Status Web Site * Daily Air Quality Hotline - 1-866-324-5924 (1-866-DAILY AIR) * Federal interagency air quality web site, for information on the Air Quality Index and nationwide air quality forecasts and air quality conditions, http://airnow.gov * DNR's statewide air quality monitoring web page, http://dnrmaps.wisconsin.gov/wisards * For local DNR air management program contacts, http://dnr.wi.gov/air/about/regions.htm _ _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list Bikies@danenet.org http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
