According to “Poisoning the Great Lakes: Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants In the Great Lakes Region,” a new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), 25 worst coal-fired power plants account for more than half of the dangerous mercury pollution emitted by the total of 144 electricity generation facilities in the Great Lakes region.
Why is this so bad for the Great Lakes?
“Eating poisoned fish is the primary cause of mercury poisoning of humans. Mercury is a neurotoxin that harms the brain, heart, central nervous system, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. Young children and developing fetuses are most at risk, and can suffer developmental problems from mercury poisoning.”
THE 25 WORST GREAT LAKES REGION COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS
Shawville (Clearfield Cty, PA)
Monroe (Monroe Cty, MI)
Homer City (Indiana Cty, PA)
Cardinal (Jefferson Cty, OH)
Sherburne County (Sherburne Cty, MN)
Muskingum River (Washington Cty, OH)
Hatfield’s Ferry (Fayette Cty, PA)
Walter C Beckjord (Clermont Cty, OH)
Wabash River (Vigo Cty, IN)
Newton (Jasper Cty, IL)
Pleasant Prairie (Kenosha Cty, WI)
Belle River (St. Clair Cty, MI)
Clifty Creek (Jefferson Cty, IN)
Columbia (Columbia Cty, WI)
St Clair (St Clair Cty, MI)
Rockport (Spencer Cty, IN)
Gavin (Gallia Cty, OH)
Bruce Mansfield (Beaver Cty, PA)
South Oak Creek (Milwaukee Cty, WI)
Kyger Creek (Gallia Cty, OH)
State Line (Lake Cty, IN)
J M Stuart (Brown Cty, OH)
Tanners Creek (Dearborn Cty, IN)
Boswell (Itasca Cty, MN)
Joppa Steam (Massac Cty, IL)
Photo credit: EPA
