Indeed, the Hoosier state's howdy dominates the horizon a couple hazy miles before the bridge, when fat plumes of opaque-white air pollution from the Rockport Power Plant first appear. The coal-fired plant's twin cooling towers greet passing motorists with a hearty, "Welcome to Indiana, Land of Pollution." Minutes up U.S. 231, the box-like AK Steel plant rises just off the roadway to the east, adding an exclamation point.
Between them, these two industrial facilities told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that they released nearly 26 million pounds of toxic chemicals into the air, water and land in 2008. In their Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reports to EPA, AK Steel reported 19.1 million pounds, American Electric Power's Rockport plant 6.7 million.
As John Blair, president of the Evansville-based environmental group Valley Watch has calculated, that's more toxic releases from two Indiana industrial facilities than New York City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Indianapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Diego, combined.
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The list of "enterprises" daily destroying the planet continues, more horrific stories from Indiana, its time for the EPA to do its job, and its time for the shareholders and management to be held accountable. A thousand apologies to readers at Moana for going on about this, but the tide is becoming a Tidal Wave of Tsunami proportions, as business after business declines to meet its environmental responsibilities, as long after the deluge has broken only the ruined will remain, the quick-fix money addicts will have left the building with all its polluted walls and toxic cesspools, for others to clean-up. Contact your local government and ask them about any industries you have concerns about, these abuses will not stop unless our governments are aware of our concern and business is made accountable for its deliquency.........beeden
ah yes, home sweet home. i grew up in indiana and i'm not surprised by this in the least. human beings are resources to be consumed in the state's eyes. one of the worst environmental records of any state, abysmal defense of human rights in the courts, worst unemployment compensation, i could go on and on. until this country starts valuing things other than the almighty dollar, things are only going to get worse. look at the condescension with which the arts are treated. "get a real job" they say, as they drill and log and exploit us into the grave.
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