Environmental group brands our part of the country “toxic”

August 12, 2011

All five states served by Wabash Valley Power rank among America’s “toxic 20” because of power-plant emissions, claims the Natural Resources Defense Council and Physicians for Social Responsibility. The group used EPA data to analyze pollutants, and claimed that half of them come from coal- and oil-fired power plants.
 
Ohio ranked as the nation’s most toxic state, with Indiana placing sixth, and Michigan seventh. Missouri and Illinois were 16th and 17th, respectively.
 
“Tougher standards are long overdue,” said NRDC Climate Center Director Dan Lashof. “Members of Congress who consider blocking toxic pollution safeguards should understand that this literally will cost American children and families their health and lives.” The group criticized Congressional efforts to slow implementation of new EPA rules.
 
Among the power plants cited by the group as producing high emissions were the Gibson Station, operated by Duke Energy and Wabash Valley Power, Hoosier Energy’s Merom and Ratts stations, and NiSource’s Schahfer plant.
 
What's particularly interesting about this report's conclusions is that NRDC has been actively promoting it to the media in recent weeks, even though the underlying report is two years old and examines the issue though a very narrow and heavily biased lens. It's clear that the group is trying build grassroots support for EPA's anti-coal efforts. It's also evident that many media outlets are printing the group's position without attempting to clarify the information or provide a balanced look at the issue.
 
Stories such as this reiterate the importance of building relationships with local media outlets so that they are less likely to print material such as this without giving co-ops and utilities an opportunity to respond and clarify details.