I get that. I mean, jobs are important and help re-election campaigns.
But really, at what cost?
I responded to an op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel written by a Foxconn executive.
Here's my letter (followed by the text of the op-ed).
Um, it sure doesn't calm my fears. Does it for you?
Dear Editors,
Foxconn's "pro-environment" op-ed shouldn't soothe environmental fears for Wisconsinites ("Foxconn: We are committed to Wisconsin's environment," April 1).
Carefully selected phrases such as "whenever possible," and "use the best available" air emissions controls suggest that pollution problems are likely an expected part of the process. Foxconn's commitment to comply with all laws "that apply" rings hollow in light of already relaxed state environmental regulations created specifically for Foxconn. And the op-ed's admission that Foxconn may increase area ozone, but it won't have adverse effects, is neither comforting nor believable.
Regarding Wisconsin's environment, consider, too, the possible consequences of the daily use of millions of gallons of precious Lake Michigan water, as well as Foxconn's questionable environmental record worldwide.
Sure, more jobs are a win. Just make sure Wisconsin's environment isn't the loser.
Foxconn: We are committed to Wisconsin's environment
by Louis Woo
The excitement within the Foxconn team is building as we prepare to break ground on our state-of-the-art display manufacturing campus in Mount Pleasant. We are working with state and local officials to obtain all the necessary permits for the project, and we will pay close attention to the public hearing held by the state Department of Natural Resources Tuesday.
We respect the public consultation process and value input into the development and operation of our new facilities. But as we lead up to that hearing, I believe there is a need to set the record straight regarding the air emissions anticipated from the project
and its potential impact on ozone concentrations.
As a responsible corporate citizen, Foxconn is fully committed to complying with all laws and regulations that apply to our operations. In line with this commitment, we will use the best available control technology to limit air emissions from the plant and to minimize any potential negative impacts of our facilities on ambient air, including the ozone standard.
Recent reports have made unrealistic claims regarding air emissions levels of Foxconn’s campus. These reports are unfair because they compare the maximum amount of emissions that theoretically could come from our project with the amount of pollution that other Wisconsin sources actually emit. It assumes, for example, that the campus will operate its comfort heating equipment for every hour of every year, which will not be the case. Foxconn would no sooner run its comfort heaters year-round than anyone would in their own home. It would be wasteful, expensive and make no sense.
A study by the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium shows that only 2% of the ozone detected in Racine County comes from Wisconsin-based industrial sources. One percent is from Wisconsin industrial facilities such as the Foxconn project, and the other 1% from Wisconsin’s power plants. The remainder of Wisconsin’s contribution to Racine County ozone, roughly 11%, comes from cars, homes, commercial buildings, off-road equipment and marine vessels. The remaining 87% of ozone in Racine County comes from sources outside Wisconsin.
Racine County ozone is overwhelmingly the result of air pollution transported from upwind states, coupled with Wisconsin-based mobile and area sources. Based on our analyses and the information provided to the DNR, our campus may slightly increase ozone in the air, but that will not have a material adverse impact on ozone concentrations in Racine County or anywhere else in the upper Midwest.
Foxconn is committed to working closely with the relevant federal, state and local agencies, Wisconsin academic institutions, our own global experts, and others to ensure that we establish policies and practices that comply fully with all the appropriate environmental regulations. Our compliance with all relevant regulations and our commitment to uphold the high environmental standards we set for ourselves will be regularly audited by various government agencies, our customers, and our internal compliance teams.
Foxconn believes that protecting the environment is a responsibility for not only our operations but also those of our supply chain partners and that is why, whenever possible, we will work to exceed all relevant environmental regulations where we do business. Minimizing the negative impact of our operations on the environment is a fundamental responsibility for Foxconn as a sustainable business and a global industry leader. This is the approach and philosophy that we will bring to our Wisconsin operations.
Louis Woo is special assistant to Foxconn's chief executive officer.
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 1, 2018)
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