The idea behind deregulating electric companies was to create
competition and lower customers’ bills. But some environmentalists are
worried that there may be a hidden cost to cheap power – more
pollution. So they’ve created a new tool to help consumers shop for
greener electricity. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Wendy Nelson
reports:
Month: July 2000
Contaminated Fish May Hinder Conception
Eating fish from the Great Lakes could cause problems for couples wanting to have a baby. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports on a new study that has found a possible link between pregnancy and fish consumption:
Piping Plover Habitat Debated
A small, sweet-sounding bird that’s on the endangered list in the Great
Lakes region will be the focus of public hearings over the next few
weeks. Federal officials want your thoughts on preserving critical
habitat for the piping plover. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Chuck
Quirmbach reports:
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Golf Courses Going Green?
For some people, looking at a golf course is seeing wide expanses of neatly trimmed lawn and nicely manicured shrubs and trees. For some environmentalists, looking at a golf course is seeing an artificial landscape supported by lots of pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation. But a few environmentalists and golf course managers are working together to try to reduce the use of chemicals. That could mean less pollution and cheaper maintenance. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:
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Bad Grades for Great Lakes Water
A federal report says nearly all of the Great Lakes’ shorelines are polluted. The biggest effect of that is contaminated fish. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:
Commentary- Backyard Discoveries
It’s summertime, and throughout the Great Lakes region, families are making vacation plans. While some will travel far and wide in search of adventures, many will stay closer to home and enjoy what the Great Lakes have to offer. Recently, Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator Suzanne Elston discovered that some of the greatest wonders lie right in your own backyard:
Preserving a Rural School
In recent years, many rural communities have been hurt when their local school is closed or consolidated with a school in another town. Such closings can contribute to a decline in population and a loss of community identity. And the trend toward closings is growing. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Stephanie Hemphill reports on an unusual, parent-run project designed to strengthen a small rural school in northern Minnesota. The project could provide a model for other schools that want to strengthen their ties with their community:
Power Companies Seek to Avert Nox Regulation
Electric power companies and some Midwest states say they will now take their fight against an EPA regulation to the political arena. They’re unhappy with a recent federal court ruling in favor of regulation. It requires some Midwest power plants to pollute less. The EPA says reducing emissions in the Midwest will help air quality in the East. But the electric industry says it will be too costly. The Great Lakes Radio
Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:
CONTROLLING THE PROLIFIC CORMORANT (Shorter Version)
Scientists announced recently they’ve found a way to curb the growing population of double-crested cormorants. The birds are considered a nuisance by anglers because they eat game fish in huge numbers. Many anglers support the recent efforts to reduce the number of birds. But they argue it’s not enough. The Great Lakes Radio
Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports:
Controlling the Prolific Cormorant
More than 500 double-crested cormorants were shot on an island in Lake Michigan recently. It was the latest in a string of such events. As the cormorant population continues to grow, its voracious appetite for game fish has created problems throughout the Great Lakes. That’s prompted biologists to look for ways to reduce the bird’s population. In New York, those efforts have led to the destruction of thousands of cormorant eggs. There’s evidence it’s working. But as the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports, some controversy remains: