This is from Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs:
DETROIT — A diverse group of Michiganders, including a medical doctor, state representative, environmental justice advocate, mother and Moms Clean Air Force are calling on the big utilities fighting Proposal 3 to come ‘clean’ about the negative health impacts of burning coal.
In a telepresser today, they discussed the many health advantages of investing in clean, renewable energy, including reducing childhood asthma.
“It baffles me that the utilities in this state would rather spend millions to fight this proposal rather than embrace it,” said State Representative Rashida Tlaib. “Proposal 3 is a chance for Michiganders to put the health and well-being of their children and families first. It’s also an opportunity to create 94,000 much-needed new jobs in the state.”
“While the utilities may want to put a false price tag on the cost of renewable energy, I know one thing for sure: you can’t put a price tag on the health of my children,” said Cortney Serdoner, mother of three. “As a mother, there is no worse feeling then when your child is sick and there is little you can do to make it better.”
Proposal 3 would require that 25 percent of Michigan’s electricity come from wind, solar, hydropower or biomass by 2025.
“As a medical doctor, I see many patients with asthma, whose activity is limited, have to take medication multiple times a day, require visits to emergency departments and need to be hospitalized because of poor be air quality,” said Dr. Kenneth D. Rosenman. “When I step into the voting booth on Election Day and vote yes on Proposal 3, my patients will be on the forefront of my mind. I encourage all Michiganders to take protecting our health and the health of our children into our own hands.”
One of Michigan’s coal plants has ranked among the worst public health offenders in the country. The Michigan Environmental Council released a study last year that showed just nine of the coal plants in Michigan cost families $1.5 billion in health damages each year, including:
- 72,000 minor restricted activity days
- 68,000 asthma exacerbations
- 140 emergency room visits to treat asthma
- 180 premature deaths
“Michigan moms need to know that Proposal 3 has been called ‘the most important public health initiative in decades’ because it will reduce rates of asthma and lung disease and keep dirty pollution out of our rivers and lakes,” said Wibke Heymach with Moms Clean Air Force. “The public health benefits of investing in renewable energy will keep our most precious resources, our children, healthier.”
“We need a new way of operating in Michigan and it needs to start right now,” said Guy Williams, executive director for Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice. “The best thing any of us can do is to vote yes on Proposal 3 next month. Locking in the mandate for renewable energy will also lock Michigan onto a path for protecting our most vulnerable people from the harm that befalls them today.”
More information about Proposal 3 can be found at www.mienergymijobs.com
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