Freshwater Future Weekly: February 3, 2023
This Week: Need Funds for Your Water Work; There’s Still Time to Sign Up for 2023 Water Watchers Wellness Sessions; Lack of EPA Rules Allowing Refineries to Legally Discharge, Including to the Great Lakes; EPA Slated to Stop Toxic Coal Ash Disposal at Two Michigan Energy Plants
Need Funds for Your Water Work?
Freshwater Future Spring Project Grants provide grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 (USD) for grassroots projects that promote water protection. Join us for a Q&A Webinar on Freshwater Future’s grant programs on February 8th at Noon, ET to learn more about how to apply to support your water work. Register for the webinar here. Visit our website grant portal to learn more or contact Laurie Breighner at [email protected], or 231-348-8200, ext.1.
There’s Still Time to Sign Up for 2023 Water Watchers Wellness Sessions
Water Watchers & Wellness, a monthly self-care and organizational care hour to ensure sustainability, had a great kickoff session last week, and we’re happy to announce the continuation of this vital resource in February. It is not too late to register. The next session is February 23rd, 11:30 – 12:30 PM ET. Each session includes self-care with expert guidance on mindful meditation with movement. In addition, February’s session will focus on recruiting and engaging volunteers, especially youth, for your organization. Register here for the next session and upcoming sessions!
Lack of EPA Rules Allowing Refineries to Legally Discharge, Including to the Great Lakes
A recently released report from the Environmental Integrity Project has found that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not kept up in its duties to prevent harmful discharges from refineries to waters under the Clean Water Act. The study found that most of the refineries are located in low-income, predominantly Black and Latino communities that may face greater health risks. The toxins not being sufficiently regulated at these sites include selenium, benzene, nickel, cyanide, lead, mercury and more. Three of the refineries listed in the report as the worst discharges are located in the Chicago area, with one discharging directly to Lake Michigan. Freshwater Future agrees that these discharges should be regulated to protect both environmental and human health, and we will keep you posted about any developments.
EPA Slated to Stop Toxic Coal Ash Disposal at Two Michigan Energy Plants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a preliminary decision to deny an application by DTE Energy to continue to dump toxic coal ash into unlined waste ponds. EPA believes the ponds are not sufficiently protecting groundwater, but the company still has an opportunity to refute this claim during a public comment period from Feb. 8 to March 10. Stay tuned for more information on how to submit a public comment.