A blowout at a Pennsylvania natural gas well late Tuesday could heighten concerns about the safety of a controversial process to extract gas from shale rock. The accident comes at a sensitive time for energy drillers, exactly one year after an explosion that led to the massive BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and just…
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Air Pollution Near Michigan Schools Linked To Poorer Student Health, Academic Performance
May 9, 2011 Ann Arbor, MI – Air pollution from industrial sources near Michigan public schools jeopardizes children’s health and academic success, according to a new study from University of Michigan researchers. The researchers found that schools located in areas with the state’s highest industrial air pollution levels had the lowest attendance rates—an indicator of…
Property owners foot bill for meth lab cleanups
By CHARLES WILSON Associated Press Writer April 4, 2009 INDIANAPOLIS Indiana’s methamphetamine epidemic is leaving property owners stuck with the cleanup bill long after the meth labs have been dismantled by police. An Indiana law that took effect two years ago says the cost of cleanup falls to property owners even though they likely had…
Medical Facilities and the Environment
By Ken Snyder, AVP Underwriting Great American Health Care is certainly a hot topic these days. While the debate over how to best address health care unfolds what is certain is that there continues to be significant growth in the industry with new hospitals being built, existing hospitals being expanded or upgraded, and an increase…
Maine Passes CFL Recycling Law for Manufacturers
environmental Strategist, between the lines: While Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) offer energy savings there is an environmental offset to their use. CFL recycling laws will cross the country. However the big picture here is what commercial clients do you have that use Fluorescent lamps? How about your business? Fluorescent lamps have mercury in them and…
Insurers Encourage Consumers to Go Green By Creating New Products and Services
environmental Strategist, between the lines: Awareness creates demand and it’s obvious consumers are becoming environmentally aware or the insurance industry would not respond with the products highlighted in this article. Sustainability is a rising social value and therefore a business opportunity for you. What are you doing to assist your client’s on their sustainable path?…
Improper manure runoff kills thousands of fish
environmental Strategist, between the lines: I am often asked to give examples of natural resource damages that would be covered under a pollution policy. In the example below, if the manure was properly applied and then a storm caused for excessive levels of manure to runoff and cause the fish kill, the cost to replace…
Food processors spraying leaves west Michigan wells contaminated
Erasing water woes a rough task 8-10-09 BY TINA LAM FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER FENNVILLE — John Dekker feels like he’s camping out in his own home. He showers with bottled water and drags his laundry to a Laundromat. He can’t sell his house without disclosing its glaring flaw — his well is contaminated. Neighbor…
Fire, explosions at welding company
MARYSVILLE, Mich. (AP) – Authorities say multiple explosions have been reported and at least one person has been hospitalized after a fire broke out at a Michigan welding supply company. Marysville Police Chief Tim Buelow tells the Times Herald of Port Huron that an employee was removing a valve from a settling tank Monday morning…
Erin Brockovich to visit Fennville this month to discuss community’s contaminated water problem
Posted by The Grand Rapids Press April 09, 2009 23:05PM FENNVILLE — Environmental crusader Erin Brockovich, who helped California residents earn a $333 million damage settlement from an energy company, is slated to visit Fennville this month to discuss water contamination allegedly coming from the Birds Eye food processing plant. Brockovich, who inspired the 2000…