Call me crazy, but I think pollution is bad stuff. Yet, when the government decides it won’t take decisive action and Big Oil & Gas won’t take responsibility for their actions, it’s easy to think nothing is being done. There are people working to protect our planet and our public health, though…ordinary citizens and advocates, many of them working through our civil justice system. Three quick examples, straight from our neck of the woods:
• A couple in the St. Louis area sued the EPA to set stricter air quality standards in the region, site of the nation’s last lead smelter. Their action led the EPA to review its standards and hold a public hearing in St. Louis. Citizens overwhelmingly voiced support for the tougher regulation. In September, we’ll find out if their voices were heard.
• A local environmental group contends that the BP refinery in Whiting violates air pollution limits and doesn’t deserve the air permit recently granted to it by the state.
• Residents in Hartford, IL, are trying to hold companies accountable for underground gas leaks that drive down property values and endanger the entire town. Premcor and Equilon recently cooperated in a court settlement with the
townspeople—a handful of other companies have yet to pony up.
Pipeline and refinery releases over decades have created the underground mess. Lawyers point out that the gasoline contains benzene and other toxic substances, which can cause cancer.
Homes in Hartford have burst into flames during high-water periods. As recently as last year, people have had to be evacuated from their homes when the fumes sickened them.
When you can't count on others to step up, I guess you have to do it yourself. I for one am glad we have the civil justice system around for backup.
Read more about how the civil justice system protects our health and the health of the environment in this CJ&D report.
