Reporting and not reporting on EPA standards in Michigan

This morning, MLive reported that the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) is running radio ads in Michigan calling on lawmakers to adopt tough EPA standards on mercury emissions from coal burning power plants.

The article sources both a spokesperson from the EEN and the EPA and briefly touches on the Obama administration’s position on EPA regulation.

The radio ads are targeting Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow to “embrace new EPA rules aimed at reducing mercury emissions from power plants.”

However, the article falls short on numerous points that would have better provided the public with what is at issue.

First, the EPA recently released a watch list of companies and municipalities that are the worst polluters in the US in terms of violations of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Hazardous Waste Act. None of this information, which included companies from Michigan, was mentioned in the MLive story.

Second, the article does not source any local environmental groups that have been working to reduce coal burning and fighting the proposed construction of several new coal burning power plants throughout the state.

Third, there is no acknowledgement of which communities are disproportionately impacted from mercury contamination. It has been known for years that Native communities have been impacted the most from mercury contamination in Michigan, both because of proximity and because of fish being a large part of their diet.

Fourth, there is little context for the larger issues on mercury poising in Michigan and what this means for human health and environmental protection. SourceWatch has some good information and data, which would give people the opportunity to further explore the seriousness of mercury poisoning in Michigan and regulatory issues.

Lastly, since the add campaign from EEN is targeting Senator’s Levin and Stabenow, it would be useful for the public to know what their track record is on coal regulation up to now. VoteSmart.org has voting records for all members of Congress and you can search how Senator Levin and Senator Stabenow have voted on these issues.