As being noted by fellow kossack R.L Miller, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is planning on introducing a measure that would allow a one year moratorium on the EPA power to regulate the amount of greenhouse gases a stationary source could emit.
The sources contained in those, could be power plants, or it could be oil refineries, or it could be a steel plant. Either way, my area has all three, and all three is known for their pollution.
This is a perspective of what will happen to my home, if this measure is passed.
More after the fold:
The Water:
My area is based, pretty much, around the Ohio River.
The proximity is one of the reasons this area was founded in the first place. It was the source of food, and water for many who settled here originally.
We still to this day use the water from the Ohio River as a source of our household water. To which, has hurt our people.
Water quality in Raceland, KY is 53 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators.
That 53 out of a 100 rating, is not a direct water source measure. That is the quality of the drinking water, after it has been treated at our local water treatment plant. 53 out of 100. That is pathetic.
But why is the local water so bad? It all sources from the times before the EPA.
We are an industry based area. The best, and best paying, jobs in this area are from our local industries. Whether it be CSX:
Russell, Kentucky, is just north-west of Ashland, Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Ironton, Ohio. Russell is the home of a large CSX yard--once, it is claimed, the largest privately-owned yard in the world--which is located between US23 and the Ohio River.
Or it be AK Steel:
Located along the Ohio River in Ashland, Kentucky, this near-700-acre facility contains a coke plant, one blast furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, and other production facilities.
Or it be Marathon Oil (Formally Ashland Oil):
A monumental change came in 2005, when Ashland sold its shares of the Marathon Ashland Petroleum joint venture, to Marathon Oil...The original oil refinery in Catlettsburg, Kentucky is still in operation today and is owned and operated by Marathon.
Or it be AEP:
* 2006 CO2 Emissions: 6,830,275 tons
* 2006 SO2 Emissions: 46,476 tons
* 2006 SO2 Emissions per MWh:
* 2006 NOx Emissions: 13,851 tons
* 2005 Mercury Emissions: 281 lb.
All had their fair share of dumping in the Ohio River. As a duo of paddlers, that traveled the Ohio can tell you, the dumping has had an effect on the wildlife:
Paddling through South Point, Ohio (the home of the Fleet Harbor Oil Companies) they noticed the absence of wildlife. In eight miles of river they only encountered eight cranes (no fish, insects, etc). They paddled on to Ashland, Kentucky and then on to Greenup, Kentucky.
Or take it from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, which tells us not to eat from much fish from the Ohio, because of the pollution:
Lower Reach (Cannelton L&D to Mouth of Ohio River):
Species General Population Special Population
Paddlefish (and their eggs) 6 meals/year No consumption
Blue Catfish:
over 14" - 1 meal/month 6 meals/year
under 14" - 1 meal/week 1 meal/month
Channel Catfish 1 meal/month 6 meals/year
Carp 1 meal/month 6 meals/year
Drum 1 meal/month 6 meals/year
Hybrid striped bass 1 meal/month 6 meals/year
Sauger 1 meal/week 1 meal/month
White bass 1 meal/month 6 meals/year
White crappie unlimited 1 meal/week
Bigmouth Buffalo 1 meal/week 1 meal/month
Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) 1 meal/week 1 meal/month
Now just imagine if these companies who have done so much damage to this area, were allowed one free year to do what they want? There would be hell to pay for the environment.
The companies would now be free to let flood gates open, and although this amendment would not allow them to dump in the river, it might as well.
This amendment would allow the steel plant to burn whatever they want, as much as they want, and for as long as they want. It would allow the oil refinery to push out more and more of the toxic it spews on a daily bases, but for this year it wouldn't have to cap down any of it. And CSX, which acts more like a co-conspirator, rather than a main actor, would just set back and take in the extra work being given by the now over-producing plants.
Would it benefit my local economy? Oh Hell Yeah it would. Do I want that little piece of comfort, in place of killing my environment? Oh Hell No I don't.
In one short year, this amendment would destroy everything. It would destroy my land, my river, my wildlife, and my health. It would cause damage unmeasurable in any context. And it would be done with a smile on the face, by those corrupt companies, that are pushing for all climate change legislation to be put to rest, and for the free use of the destructive products to our environment.
Why would Senator Murkowski want this for our environment? Well there are some forces higher than her pulling her strings.
As Politico is reporting, Senator Murkowski is receiving a lot of money from lobbyist firms, who have major ties to plants that would benefit greatly from this measure passing.
Several months ago, Murkowski's staff reached out to two lobbyists — Bracewell & Giuliani's Jeffrey Holmstead and Sidley Austin's Roger Martella Jr., — for technical assistance on how to craft the amendment....
Holstead's clients include Duke Energy, CSX, Progress Energy, Southern Co. and other top utility and energy companies that would be deeply impacted financially by climate regulations.
So because of some lobbyist money, I could lose what little environmental safety nets I have here, and for one-year I could watch companies work to destroy my home? And the damage from that year, could last for decades, if not longer?
It would never be worth it. Never.
Please call your Senator, and tell them to vote No on the Murkowski amendment, tell them it is for your town, your land, your river. Tell them that we cannot allow even such a small time as one year. Because that one-year, may be just one-year too much.