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==Citizen activism==
===Public opposition to [[Valley Power Plant]]'s air pollution===
==DNR issues Air Quality Watch for entire state of Wisconsin==
On February 9, 2009, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued an Air Quality Watch for Particle Pollution for the entire state. The watch was issued based on a forecast for elevated levels of fine particles in the air. Fine particle pollution, which is comprised of microscopic dust, soot, liquid droplets and smoke particles smaller than 2.5 microns, originate mainly from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories, vehicle exhaust, and wood burning.
{{#evp:youtube|2dkJWUOS3LI|Thomas White, President of the NAACP of Wisconsin on air pollution in Milwaukee, WI. Part One.|right|200}}
The Air Quality Index was expected to reach the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for people with heart or lung diseases, older adults, and children. The DNR advised people in these groups reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities during the watch period.<ref>[http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20090208/FON0101/90208015/1289/FON01 "Air quality watch issued for Wisconsin,"] ''The Reporter,'' February 8, 2009.</ref>
==Governor Doyle announces coal phase-out at UW==
In February 2009, Governor Jim Doyle announced that the University of Wisconsin's [[Charter Street Heating Plant]] will phase out coal. Gov. Doyle said that a biomass boiler will be installed by 2012 in an effort to generate 25 percent of the state's energy from renewable resources by the year 2025. The over $200 million investment will eliminate the burning of over 100 tons of coal.<ref>[http://badgerherald.com/news/2009/02/08/doyle_no_coal_at_uw_.php "Doyle: No coal at UW by 2012,"] ''Badger Herald'', February 8, 2009.</ref>
==Explosion at We Energy's Oak Creek power plant==
{{#evp:youtube|bpSpeFZdK1s|Thomas White, President of the NAACP of Wisconsin on air pollution in Milwaukee, WI. Part Two.|right|200}}
On February 4, 2009, six people were injured during an explosion and fire at the Oak Creek power plant owned by [[Wisconsin Energy]] (WE). The explosion occurred at a plant silo used to collect dust after coal is dumped into the hopper. All of the people hurt were contractors working in the hopper at the time. The most severely burned patient suffered second- and third-degree burns on his hands, face and back.<ref name="msn">[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29002367/ "6 Hurt in Explosion at Oak Creek We Energies Plant,"] MSNBC, February 4, 2009.</ref>