May  2008

Celebrating Passage of the Historic Great Lakes Compact

On May 14, 2008, both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature overwhelmingly passed the Great Lakes Compact. 
Midwest Environmental Advocates has long been at the forefront of this important policy issue, working closely with legislative sponsors and stakeholders to ensure that the legislation reflects the key policy concerns of the environmental and conservation community.   Read more.

CASE UPDATE!  UW- Madison's Charter Street Coal Plant

On May 1, 2008, Wisconsin DNR issued a Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit to the University of Wisconsin's Charter Street Heating Plant. This permit requires monitoring and reporting of stormwater discharges at the site for the next five years and resolves the Notice of Intent to Sue, sent by MEA on behalf of Sierra Club, for illegal industrial coal-contaminated stormwater discharges to Monona Bay and coal-contamination of the groundwater underlying the plant's site.    Read more.

Advocating for Real Solutions to Climate ChangeMidwest Environmental Advocates is working to mitigate the harmful effects of corn-based ethanol production while encouraging real solutions to the global energy crisis.   The production of corn- based ethanol for fuel damages the global food supply and produces pollution that harms local communities.  Midwest Environmental Advocates  supports providing jobs for rural communities, but through sustainable agricultural practices and crops, not through the planting of corn for biofuels. Read more.

Engaging the Public in Urban Revitalization

On April 22, 2008, the DNR and City of Milwaukee held a public meeting about the contaminated site assessments underway in Milwaukee's 30^th Street Industrial Corridor, an area with approximately 200 contaminated sites.  Public participation in urban revitalization efforts such as these is a key to its success, and Midwest Environmental Advocates is working with area residents to have their voices heard.  Read more. 

Protecting Waters from Increased Pollution

On May 1, 2008, Midwest Environmental Advocates reached a settlement agreement with Protient Inc, on behalf of Wisconsin Environmental Law Advocates ("WELA"). The settlement resolves WELA's challenges to Protient's 2006 Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. Pursuant to the settlement, Protient agreed to pay $20,000 to the Green County Land Conservation Department to fund nonpoint source pollution abatement efforts in the Lower Sugar River Watershed, and also agreed to make necessary facility upgrades to reduce their pollution discharges to the North Fork Juda Branch Creek. Read more. 

Working for Just Transportation Options for Southeastern Wisconsin

Midwest Environmental Advocates, along with other allies, submitted comments on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's ill-considered Plan to expand a massive I94 highway project.  The almost $2 billion highway project comes at time of record high gas prices and a lack of investment or dedicated funding source for the area's public transit system. Read more.  

Calling for stronger mercury regulations to protect lakes and public health

On May 5, 2008, several Wisconsin environmental and public health organizations, including Midwest Environmental Advocates, submitted comments on the Wisconsin DNR's proposed changes to Chapter NR 446 of the Wisconsin Administration Code, which regulates mercury emissions from power plants. While the proposed changes are an improvement over current regulation, the environmental groups believe they fall short of what is necessary to protect public health and welfare. Read the comments submitted by our coalition of environmental and public health groups here.

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