We All Live Downstream: Top Five
I asked several of my colleagues at Clean Water Action for their "Top Five" actions a new president should take on assuming the office in January 2009. The time is nearly past for worrying about what the next big blow will be from the worst environmental president in our nation’s history. It's time to think of what we can achieve, repair, restore and care for. Below is a sampling from Clean Water Action’s staff members.
Read more in today's We All Live Downstream post and I encourage you to think about this question and post your own "Top Five" in the comments section.
John DeCock
President, Clean Water Action
Drugs in Your Water?
A widely publicized investigation by the Associated Press found that most communities where tests have been done detected low levels of prescription drugs in their water. What are the health effects - on people and wildlife - of drugs in water bodies? Where do they come from? Can we do anything to prevent this pollution or to clean it up? Clean Water Action has called on Congress and other decision makers to take action on drugs in drinking water. Learn more and take action...
Spotlight
Tell your Representative and Senators To Support The Clean Water Restoration Act
The Clean Water Act was passed in 1972 to protect all the nation's waters. However, the Bush Administration, at the urging of special interests, has interpreted the law to apply only to some bodies of water. This is not what the law intended or what the American people want.
The bi-partisan Clean Water Restoration Act (H.R. 2421 and S. 1870) is closer than ever to passing in the House. This legislation restates and clarifies the original intent of the Clean Water Act -- to protect all waters of the United States.
Take Action: Tell your Representative and Senators to support the Clean Water Restoration Act!
Sign a petition to support the Clean Water Restoration Act
The petition will be used to support Clean Water Action's direct efforts to help get this bill passed.
The Issues
- Clean Water: Bush Administration policies could put the drinking water of over 110 million Americans at risk. The Clean Water Restoration Act would ensure that all waters of the United States are protected from pollution and destruction. Read more about stopping water pollution and protecting drinking water sources and take action!
- Climate Change & Clean Energy: Congress is considering a new energy bill this summer that would combat global warming by improving auto efficiency and promoting renewable energy. Learn more about the bill and take action!
- Toxics & Chemical Policy: We need to phase out the most dangerous chemicals, innovate safer alternatives, and protect high-risk communities. Cleaner and safer chemicals, products, and production processes are feasible. Learn more about the issue.
Other News
U.S. Steel takes a 'giant step' in the Mon Valley
The company has applied for permits to begin upgrading its Clairton Coke Works. At a cost of $1 billion, it would be one of the most expensive capital projects ever in Allegheny County, but environmentalists question if even that is enough.
Monday, June 02, 2008
By Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh region got its eye blackened by a recent American Lung Association report labeling it the sootiest metropolitan area in the country, but U.S. Steel Corp.'s proposed $1 billion coke oven replacement and maintenance project in Clairton should improve air quality and go a long way toward removing that civic smudge.
Environmental groups are worried, however, that the coke oven upgrades -- one of the most expensive capital improvement projects in the history of Allegheny County -- might not clean the air as much as they should in the Mon Valley communities that have long been sustained by, and suffered from, the steel industry.
"U.S. Steel is going to build a new coke facility. We know that," said Myron Arnowitt, state director for Clean Water Action, at a public meeting in Clairton last month at which environmental leaders were quick to say their intent is not to stop the project. "But how it's going to affect the people who work and live in the Mon Valley for the next 40 years is the big question. We want it to be the best project possible."
Read the complete article...
Take Action
Visit our action center to find out how you can get involved. Voice your opinion to your legislators on pollution, citizens' rights in making environmental decisions, and other issues that impact our environment.
