Russell's notice this afternoon about the Air Pollution advisory for the Twin Cities should get us to sit up and take notice!!!
It says that some of the pollution came in from out of town via the winds, but a lot of it was generated locally. That reminds me of something I posted about in the past, which is the proposal to convert the Riverside Plant in Minneapolis (which generates locally used electricity) from coal to natural gas. [The proposal also coverts the High Bridge plant in St. Paul, but I can't mention that here. ;) ] It's controversial because natural gas costs more than coal -- but this pollution alert reminds us that we need to factor in all the additional costs to coal, such as health costs. By the way, these alerts aren't so unusual. We like to think we're a clean air region, but we're not any more. This is also a timely issue because there is a vote scheduled on this plan for Dec. 17 at the MN Public Utilities Commission. Thanks again to our Minneapolis legislative delegation, which has supported the conversion. (This was also the issue mentioned by the new Environmental Justice group, on this list.) Don Jorovsky New Brighton > > Russell Raczkowski > Bancroft > > Friday, December 5, 2003 > > The MPCA has issued an Air Pollution advisory for the Twin Cities, > Rochester, and St. Cloud for the rest of today through Monday. A > combination of low-level temperature inversion and changing wind patterns > are predicted to trap high levels of fine air particulates during that > time. > > Pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5) or soot, some of which has local > sources > and some of which is blowing into Minnesota from states to the south. A > large mass of fine particle pollution is covering the central U.S., > blowing > into Minnesota as long as our winds are from the south. > > Air Quality Index (AQI): The 2 p.m. AQI reading in the Twin Cities was 97 > with a Saturday forecast of 99 which is at the threshold of the category > that is "unhealthy for sensitive groups." The regional air quality for > Rochester (83) and St Cloud (79) are in the moderate range but climbing. > > Health precautions: "Sensitive groups" include those with heart or lung > disease (including asthma), adults over 50, and healthy adults and > children > engaged in heavy exercise. These individuals should postpone or reduce > heavy or prolonged exertion (play shorter games, rotate players more > frequently, walk instead of run). > > Although some of today's air pollution is blowing in from other states, it > is important for us to reduce additional contributions to the problem. > * Reduce vehicle exhaust, which contains fine particles, by driving less > today. > * Postpone work with small engines. > * Postpone campfires or other fires that produce soot or fine particles. > > To check hourly updates of the AQI, go to: > http://aqi.pca.state.mn.us/hourly/ > REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
