Community Members to Confront DNR over Outdated Cooling System

Will Demand DNR Upholds Law and Protects Lake Michigan

Despite a state court ruling requiring WE Energies to use the best available technology for the waterintake

cooling system at their Elm Road coal plant in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, the company continued to

construct the outdated and environmentally-destructive “once-through cooling” system. Now, WE Energies

is asking the DNR to provide an exemption from federal law to use this system that will suck 3.2 billion

gallons of water out of Lake Michigan through a 1.5 mile long pipe, killing millions of fish, crustaceans,

shellfish, fish eggs and larvae. Neglecting its duty to protect one of Wisconsin’s most treasured resources, a

draft permit issued by the DNR suggests that it is poised to allow WE Energies to use this atrociously

destructive system. On Monday, June 9th, community members from across the state will gather at DNR

public hearings held at the Oak Creek Community Center to stand up for Lake Michigan by telling the DNR

not to permit the outdated system Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dubbed the “giant fish killing machine” on a recent

visit to Milwaukee.