Protecting the Great Lakes from Power Plant Pollution

By Dan Endreson, Minnesota Program Coordinator The Great Lakes are a source of water and food for millions of people in the Upper Midwest. However, these waters are continually being contaminated by toxic wastewater from steam electric power plants, especially coal plants. The wastewater discharges from coal plants contains heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and selenium which are harmful to humans and wildlife. Substantial evidence exists that these metals transfer up the food chain, posing a public health threat to all communities surrounding Great Lakes. Exposures to these metals have been linked to neurological and reproductive disorders, organ failure, and cancer. However, a solution to this toxic problem may be on the horizon. The EPA is currently going through a process to update rules which govern wastewater discharges from steam electric power plants. The current rules were put in place over 30 years ago, so an overhaul is definitely needed. The EPA is evaluating several options, known as Proposed Effluent Guidelines, and they need to hear from those in the Great Lakes and around the country that the most stringent option must be selected. The strongest option would result in close to a 100% reduction in arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and selenium pollution in the Great Lakes. The public has until September 20 to let EPA know that enough is enough and that these polluters should be held to the highest standard to protect our public health. I have already shared my story with the EPA on why they need to adopt a strong standard. I hope you will too.