Tag: power outage

Blackout Leads to Sewage Overflows

Tens of millions of gallons of untreated or partially treated sewage were dumped into the Great Lakes basin during last month’s massive power outage, but environmentalists say that’s a drop in the bucket compared with the overall problem of contamination from sewage spills. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Sarah Hulett reports:

Transcript

Tens of millions of gallons of untreated or partially treated sewage were dumped into the Great
Lakes basin during last month’s massive power outage. But environmentalists say that’s a drop
in the bucket compared with the overall problem of contamination from sewage spills. The Great
Lakes Radio Consortium’s Sarah Hulett reports:


Environmental groups say a heavy rain can easily send more raw sewage into lakes and streams
than an event like last month’s blackout.


In Michigan alone, officials say 57 million gallons of sewage were dumped because of the
blackout. Environmentalists say that’s not much, compared to the 50 billion gallons the state
dumps yearly.


Bethany Renfer is with Clean Water Action.


“I think we need to look at all steps that we can take to help to reduce the overflows – both those
that are happening in extenuating circumstances, like a blackout – but also those that are regularly
occurring…that we can almost plan for.”


The blackout strained wastewater treatment facilities from Michigan to New York. All told, at
least 550 million gallons were dumped into lakes, harbors, and streams.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Sarah Hulett.

Canada Looks for Permanent Power Solutions

After the recent power outage, some residents in Ontario, Canada were asked to cut their use of electricity in half. Some hoped the experience would convince people to change their behavior permanently. But as the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports, environmentalists are arguing for a more permanent approach to energy efficiency:

Transcript

After the recent power outage, some residents in Ontario, Canada were asked to cut
their use of
electricity in half. Some hoped the experience would convince people to change
their behavior
permanently. But as the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports,
environmentalists
are arguing for a more permanent approach to energy efficiency:


Suddenly, the media in the Canadian province of Ontario was filled with tips on how
to conserve
energy. Like many places in the U.S., Ontario was hit by the widespread blackout.
People were
told to turn off air conditioners and use cold water in their washing machines.


And a lot of residents, and businesses, listened. Environmental consultant Ralph
Torrie was
encouraged by this behavior. But he says the government needs to ensure energy
efficiency is
built in to appliances and automobiles


“There is no more effective, cheaper or quicker way to improve the efficiency of
energy use than
to work with the industry that makes these things and bring up the minimum energy
efficiency
that is required.”


Torrie hopes the province will consider long term action once the power supply is
back to normal.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.