AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

New York and other states to sue Midwestern Power Plants

Much of the electricity in the Great Lake states is generated from coal, usually the cheapest kind and not the cleanest kind. Thanks to loopholes in emission regulations, these power plants put a lot of nasty stuff into the air. The people downwind of these plants, in the East, have finally gotten pissed off enough to do something about it. Since the politicians won't do anything, the attorneys general of 8 states are suing the power plants. This could get interesting. Although most of the states are in the east, California, Iowa and Wisconsin are participating in the lawsuit. If there is a common factor, it seems to be eastern states and states with activist attorneys general.

Naturally, New York attorney general Elliot Spitzer is in the middle of things, as he always seems to be. The national group for states' attorneys general, the National Association of Attorneys General or NAAG has the reputation for being the "National Association of Aspiring governors." Spitzer does nothing to refute this reputation. I don't want to pick on the guy though, because I find his leadership refreshing, and I admire his leadership. I also happen to agree with him about 90% of the time.


The New York Times > National > New York City and 8 States Plan to Sue Power Plants