Press Releases, 2002

December, 2002: Aveda Announces Its 2003 Earth Month Partners
Aveda is pleased to announce its 2003 Earth Month partners: a group of 15 regional environmental groups from around the world chosen for their results-oriented, project-driven approach and like-minded commitment to stopping global warming.

December 19, 2002: Environmental Groups Warn President Against Appointment of Engler to Head EPA
Twenty six Michigan environmental groups warned President George W. Bush not to appoint outgoing Governor John Engler as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saying that Engler is "unfit for duty" in the agency.

December 19, 2002: Automotive Mercury Switch Study Released
The study results confirm that nearly 5,000 lbs. of mercury are contained in vehicles on Michigan's roads and that an estimated 239 pounds of mercury are in convenience lighting switches in scrapped vehicles each year.

December 9, 2002: Judge Orders Hearing on Illegal Dow Chemical Consent Order
An Ingham County judge Friday opened the door for a legal challenge to a proposed deal between the Department of Environmental Quality and Dow Chemical Company that would raise dioxin standards and could threaten the health of Michigan residents.

December 5, 2002: Citizens Sue to Stop Dioxin Deal Between State and Dow Chemical
A coalition of six environmental groups and citizens living in areas contaminated with toxic dioxin filed suit today to stop a proposed deal between the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Dow Chemical Company. The deal, if approved, would expose communities to levels of dioxin nearly 10 times above the state's current standard, they said.

December 2, 2002: Citizens Demand Right to Be Heard In Proposed "Sweetheart Deal" for Dow
Residents living in dioxin-contaminated areas were joined by leading environmental organizations in the state today in petitioning the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), demanding the right to intervene in a proposed decision that could relieve Dow Chemical Company of responsibility for comprehensive cleanup, and expose Michigan residents to future health risks.

November 8, 2002: Dow Chemical "Illegal" Sweetheart Deal Made Public
An agreement that attorneys for the state earlier described as "illegal" and "fatally flawed" has been made public today, potentially relieving Dow Chemical Company of liability for massive contamination of one of the largest watersheds in the Great Lakes basin. The agreement could pave the way for citizens to be exposed to higher levels of a potent developmental and reproductive toxin.

October 22, 2002: Internal Documents Show MDEQ In Collusion With Dow Chemical To Create "Dioxin Zone" In Michigan
Government documents obtained by citizens in Saginaw County demonstrate that top management of the Michigan DEQ is working hand-in-glove with the Dow Chemical Company to craft an agreement relieving the company of costly dioxin cleanup requirements and exposing the public to dioxin contamination.

October 14, 2002: Major Bank Makes Commitment to Purchase Environmentally Friendly Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Ohio Savings Bank/AmTrust Bank, one of the top ten mortgage lenders in the U.S., has committed to replacing company vehicles with environmentally friendly hybrid electric vehicles wherever feasible. The bank estimates that it will purchase 24 hybrid electric vehicles in the next two years.

October 4, 2002: Citizens Reject Polluter-Sponsored Study, Call for Health Protection, Independent Review of Dioxin in Midland, Saginaw Counties
Citizens affected by dioxin contamination in Saginaw County, joined by environmental organizations, have rejected a study of health impacts proposed by Dow Chemical Company and proposed an alternative, independent review and immediate public health protection.

September 18, 2002: Law to Ban Sale of Mercury Thermometers Goes to the Governor’s Desk
A law to ban the sale of mercury thermometers is now on the governor’s desk (Mercury Thermometer Bill #4599). It is expected that Governor Engler will sign the bill before the end of the week. Environmentalists consider the bill an important first step in reducing the amount of mercury released into Michigan’s environment from consumer products.

August 29, 2002: MDEQ Re-issues Delta Township Plant Permit
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued a permit allowing the General Motors Corporation (GM) to emit more than 1,200 tons of harmful pollution from a new automotive plant near Lansing - without including cost-effective new equipment that would reduce tons of paint shop emissions from Lansing area air.

August 19, 2002: Michigan Falls Short in Protecting Children From Pollution Study Recommends Michigan Revamp Laws, Rules To Curtail Pollution-Related Health Risks for Kids
Michigan pollution policies fail to adequately protect children from environmental hazards, the Ecology Center and Michigan Environmental Council said in a report released today.

July 30, 2002: New Report Measures U.S. Automakers' Corporate Culpabilities for Global Warming Pollution
A new report issued by Environmental Defense appraises for the first time the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the new vehicles sold each year by major auto manufacturers.

June 5, 2002: Exposé Shows Dental Uses Among Largest Sources of Mercury Pollution; American Dental Association Obstructs Protection Efforts
A first-of-its-kind comprehensive report that looks at the environmental impacts of the dental industry's use of mercury is being released June 5 by the Ecology Center, the Mercury Policy Project and Health Care Without Harm. Among other significant findings, the report reveals that the dental industry is now the third largest user of mercury in the U.S. and the industry is the single largest discharger of mercury to the nation’s wastewater treatment plants.

April 2 , 2002: Maine Passes Bill to Remove Toxic Mercury From Vehicles
The Partnership for Mercury-Free Vehicles, a broad coalition of environmental organizations and the industries involved in vehicle recycling, today praised the Maine legislature's passage of the nation's first law to mandate manufacturer responsibility for the removal of toxic mercury from vehicles.

March 7, 2002: Six Months After 9/11, Chemical Facilities Continue to Put Millions of Michigan Citizens at Risk from Terrorism
A report released today highlights Michigan’s citizens continuing vulnerability to potential terrorist attacks on chemical facilities. Thousands of Michigan citizens may be unnecessarily at risk. The coalition releasing the report called for efforts to reduce chemical hazards by requiring companies to consider "inherently safer" technologies and materials, which could reduce – and in many cases eliminate – the possibility of a significant chemical release both from terrorist attack, or from accidental releases.

March 7, 2002: EPA Rules that MDEQ Failed to Follow Clean Air Act on GM Permit
A decision yesterday by the U.S. EPA's Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) supports environmentalists’ claims that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's permit for a new General Motors assembly plant in Delta Township, near Lansing, did not meet federal requirements.

January 31, 2002: Citizens ask for Federal Probe into Major Dioxin Cover-up in Michigan
Documents obtained by environmental groups show the state has found dioxin levels 80 times state cleanup standards near parks and residential areas in a floodplain south of the City of Saginaw, but state DEQ Director Russell Harding has blocked further testing and is suppressing a state health assessment that the groups believe calls for aggressive state action to deal with the threat.

January 30, 2002: Recycling and Steel Industries Team Up With Environmental Organizations to Eliminate Mercury Switches in Autos
At the State House today, a broad national coalition voiced its support for legislation in Maine aimed at removing mercury - added components from automobiles.

January 30, 2002: Report Highlights Mercury Dangers: Coalition Seeks to Eliminate Mercury from Waste Stream
The Ecology Center, in conjunction with the New England Zero Mercury Campaign has released a report highlighting the dangers of mercury contained in common household and everyday items.

January 3, 2002: New Study Says Fuel Cell Vehicles Face Technical and Policy Barriers
Promising Technology May Founder Without Broad Requirements For Higher Car and Truck Efficiency.

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