As Congress is poised to attack a rule that would restore federal protections to 57% of Virginia’s streams, Environment Virginia’s recent report titled Polluting Politics touches on a salient topic for all Virginians. The report establishes a link between some of the nation’s largest polluters, including Honeywell International Inc., which operates a chemicals and resins plant in Hopewell, Virginia, and their enormous lobbying expenditures and campaign contributions.
According to the report, the Hopewell plant spewed more than 170,000lbs of toxic pollutants into the James River Watershed in 2012 alone. In 2014, the corporation spent over 5 million dollars to advance their political agenda.
It is not just our outdoor recreation industry and the numerous breweries and vineyards throughout the state which are threatened by water contamination, but 2 million Virginians, whose drinking water is currently at risk of unchecked pollution. Yet, big industries like Honeywell are using their vast financial resources to smother Virginia’s voters and protect their damaging practices.
As citizens, it is our duty to make our voices heard and to demand that our decision-makers do what’s right for all Virginians, and not what’s right for a few dirty industrialists. They may have deep pockets but if we keep up the pressure to pass the EPA’s clean water rule, we can overcome these special interests and take a huge step towards protecting Virginia’s waterways.
– Letter from Julia Keane, Environment Virginia, Richmond, Va.
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