Over 30 Organizations Call on DNR to Stop We Energies’ Mercury Variance

Oak Creek, WI – On Monday, 33 organizations submitted a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) expressing opposition against several provisions of We Energies’ water discharge draft permit, including a proposed mercury variance that would allow We Energies to discharge mercury into Lake Michigan at up to three times the safe standard. The permit as written would also allow We Energies to continue a dirty, outdated process for treating coal ash until 2023, the latest possible date under federal rules. The letter is opposed to both of these measures. The statement of opposition from the groups comes on the heels of hundreds of public comments in opposition to the proposed permit as written. Over 150 people attended the public hearing last Monday and all of the comments opposed the variance....   ...more

Ken Notes: I have been reading a lot about this issue and can not find what the Plan B is. My question is what is the process to get to a clean disposable or better yet usable product, what does it cost, and how much will it effect WE`s move toward more renewables. Mercury like PCB is a very scary word but I want a solution that moves us forward not backward. I fear making it too costly to close coal facilities so companies keep them open...