In Notes from the West Wing, from my representative Gary Bies:
With overwhelming votes of approval in both the State Assembly and State Senate, Wisconsin is now primed to be the fifth state (of eight) to enact the Great Lakes Compact. All that remains in this process if for the Governor to sign the Compact legislation. …
The First Assembly District’s identity is so closely linked to the Great Lakes and so much of our economy, both tourism and manufacturing, is tied to the lakes. It was important to the First District and to me that the Compact be passed, and now that it has been, and an important step has been taken for the future of the Great Lakes. … I am looking forward to concentrating on my other environmental proposals, including the ban on phosphorus in fertilizer and my Wetland Identification Act.
Visit Rep. Gary Bies’ website at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/asm01/news/
The discussion was over Murphy Oil and its Wisconsin refinery capacity expansion.
It also concerned an EPA notification concerning the BP Whiting Refinery concerning alleged violations of major clean air problems.
The political climate became just as muddled as the allegations against BP for violations of the clean air act. The one major example was Murphy Oil which provides jobs and a boost to the Great Lakes economy. Murphy Oil has been aware and complies with the clean air and water acts legislated by the federal government.
Another concern was the release of tar sand crude which allegedly also released greenhouse gas. Oil extraction requires a large amount of water, energy and pipeline corridors in order for the processing of crude oil to the final product.
The other concerns were about Wisconsin’s wetlands, in which Murphy at Lake Superior had expected to acquire 400-500 acres of land that was designated wetlands since the adoption of the US Clean Water Act of 1972.
The Detroit Free Press wrote a story concerning Lake Superior’s decreasing level, which has had nothing to do with the operations of Murphy Oil or BP; however, the worry was that the level of the Great Lakes due to a dry spell in 2006 and 2007 would be a problem combined with the operations there.
While the compromised act does approve the Compact, it also implements an article that protects the lake and coincides with government EPA requirements. The bill was hoped to be signed and completed by April 22nd, appropriately on Earth Day; however, it only got approved in the State Assembly of Wisconsin last week, and as reported above, waiting for Governor Doyle’s signature. We will see if Doyle makes this a partisan political issue or gives in to the extremist demands of environmental organizations that don’t seem to be able to compromise much when it comes to economic stability and the protection of our land, air and water resources.
Gary Bies has also spearheaded important safety measures with the Propane Safety Act. He represents his constituents well and personally sees that both economic impact as well as environmental issues are addressed.
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