Press Releases, 2002
December, 2002: Aveda Announces Its 2003
Earth Month Partners
Aveda is pleased to announce its 2003 Earth Month partners: a group of 15
regional environmental groups from around the world chosen for their results-oriented,
project-driven approach and like-minded commitment to stopping global warming.
December 19, 2002: Environmental Groups
Warn President Against Appointment of Engler to Head EPA
Twenty six Michigan environmental groups warned President George W. Bush
not to appoint outgoing Governor John Engler as Administrator of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, saying that Engler is "unfit for duty"
in the agency.
December 19, 2002: Automotive Mercury Switch
Study Released
The study results confirm that nearly 5,000 lbs. of mercury are contained
in vehicles on Michigan's roads and that an estimated 239 pounds of mercury
are in convenience lighting switches in scrapped vehicles each year.
December 9, 2002: Judge Orders Hearing on
Illegal Dow Chemical Consent Order
An Ingham County judge Friday opened the door for a legal challenge to a
proposed deal between the Department of Environmental Quality and Dow Chemical
Company that would raise dioxin standards and could threaten the health
of Michigan residents.
December 5, 2002: Citizens Sue to Stop Dioxin
Deal Between State and Dow Chemical
A coalition of six environmental groups and citizens living in areas contaminated
with toxic dioxin filed suit today to stop a proposed deal between the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality and Dow Chemical Company. The deal,
if approved, would expose communities to levels of dioxin nearly 10 times
above the state's current standard, they said.
December 2, 2002: Citizens Demand Right
to Be Heard In Proposed "Sweetheart Deal" for Dow
Residents living in dioxin-contaminated areas were joined by leading environmental
organizations in the state today in petitioning the Michigan Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ), demanding the right to intervene in a proposed
decision that could relieve Dow Chemical Company of responsibility for comprehensive
cleanup, and expose Michigan residents to future health risks.
November 8, 2002: Dow Chemical "Illegal"
Sweetheart Deal Made Public
An agreement that attorneys for the state earlier described as "illegal"
and "fatally flawed" has been made public today, potentially relieving
Dow Chemical Company of liability for massive contamination of one of the
largest watersheds in the Great Lakes basin. The agreement could pave the
way for citizens to be exposed to higher levels of a potent developmental
and reproductive toxin.
October 22, 2002: Internal Documents Show
MDEQ In Collusion With Dow Chemical To Create "Dioxin Zone" In
Michigan
Government documents obtained by citizens in Saginaw County demonstrate
that top management of the Michigan DEQ is working hand-in-glove with the
Dow Chemical Company to craft an agreement relieving the company of costly
dioxin cleanup requirements and exposing the public to dioxin contamination.
October 14, 2002: Major Bank Makes Commitment
to Purchase Environmentally Friendly Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Ohio Savings Bank/AmTrust Bank, one of the top ten mortgage lenders in the
U.S., has committed to replacing company vehicles with environmentally friendly
hybrid electric vehicles wherever feasible. The bank estimates that it will
purchase 24 hybrid electric vehicles in the next two years.
October 4, 2002: Citizens Reject Polluter-Sponsored
Study, Call for Health Protection, Independent Review of Dioxin in Midland,
Saginaw Counties
Citizens affected by dioxin contamination in Saginaw County, joined by environmental
organizations, have rejected a study of health impacts proposed by Dow Chemical
Company and proposed an alternative, independent review and immediate public
health protection.
September 18, 2002: Law to Ban Sale of Mercury
Thermometers Goes to the Governor’s Desk
A law to ban the sale of mercury thermometers is now on the governor’s
desk (Mercury Thermometer Bill #4599). It is expected that Governor Engler
will sign the bill before the end of the week. Environmentalists consider
the bill an important first step in reducing the amount of mercury released
into Michigan’s environment from consumer products.
August 29, 2002: MDEQ Re-issues Delta Township
Plant Permit
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued a permit
allowing the General Motors Corporation (GM) to emit more than 1,200 tons
of harmful pollution from a new automotive plant near Lansing - without
including cost-effective new equipment that would reduce tons of paint shop
emissions from Lansing area air.
August 19, 2002: Michigan Falls Short in
Protecting Children From Pollution Study Recommends Michigan Revamp Laws,
Rules To Curtail Pollution-Related Health Risks for Kids
Michigan pollution policies fail to adequately protect children from environmental
hazards, the Ecology Center and Michigan Environmental Council said in a
report released today.
July 30, 2002: New Report Measures U.S. Automakers' Corporate Culpabilities for Global Warming Pollution
A new report issued by Environmental Defense appraises for the first time the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the new vehicles sold each year by major auto manufacturers.
June 5, 2002: Exposé Shows Dental
Uses Among Largest Sources of Mercury Pollution; American Dental Association
Obstructs Protection Efforts
A first-of-its-kind comprehensive report that looks at the environmental
impacts of the dental industry's use of mercury is being released June 5
by the Ecology Center, the Mercury Policy Project and Health Care Without
Harm. Among other significant findings, the report reveals that the dental
industry is now the third largest user of mercury in the U.S. and the industry
is the single largest discharger of mercury to the nation’s wastewater
treatment plants.
April 2 , 2002: Maine Passes Bill to Remove Toxic Mercury From Vehicles
The Partnership for Mercury-Free Vehicles, a broad coalition of environmental organizations and the industries involved in vehicle recycling, today praised the Maine legislature's passage of the nation's first law to mandate manufacturer responsibility for the removal of toxic mercury from vehicles.
March 7, 2002: Six Months After 9/11, Chemical
Facilities Continue to Put Millions of Michigan Citizens at Risk from Terrorism
A report released today highlights Michigan’s citizens continuing
vulnerability to potential terrorist attacks on chemical facilities. Thousands
of Michigan citizens may be unnecessarily at risk. The coalition releasing
the report called for efforts to reduce chemical hazards by requiring companies
to consider "inherently safer" technologies and materials, which
could reduce – and in many cases eliminate – the possibility
of a significant chemical release both from terrorist attack, or from accidental
releases.
March 7, 2002: EPA Rules that MDEQ Failed
to Follow Clean Air Act on GM Permit
A decision yesterday by the U.S. EPA's Environmental Appeals Board (EAB)
supports environmentalists’ claims that the Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality's permit for a new General Motors assembly plant in
Delta Township, near Lansing, did not meet federal requirements.
January 31, 2002: Citizens ask for Federal
Probe into Major Dioxin Cover-up in Michigan
Documents obtained by environmental groups show the state has found dioxin
levels 80 times state cleanup standards near parks and residential areas
in a floodplain south of the City of Saginaw, but state DEQ Director Russell
Harding has blocked further testing and is suppressing a state health assessment
that the groups believe calls for aggressive state action to deal with the
threat.
January 30, 2002: Recycling and Steel Industries
Team Up With Environmental Organizations to Eliminate Mercury Switches in
Autos
At the State House today, a broad national coalition voiced its support
for legislation in Maine aimed at removing mercury - added components from
automobiles.
January 30, 2002: Report Highlights Mercury
Dangers: Coalition Seeks to Eliminate Mercury from Waste Stream
The Ecology Center, in conjunction with the New England Zero Mercury Campaign
has released a report highlighting the dangers of mercury contained in common
household and everyday items.
January 3, 2002: New Study Says Fuel Cell Vehicles Face Technical and Policy Barriers
Promising Technology May Founder Without Broad Requirements For Higher Car and Truck Efficiency.
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