Mercury is a toxin that can move from power plant stacks into local bodies of water, causing neurological and cardiovascular problems in humans.

Kennedy's comments weren't the first time an official with Waterkeeper Alliance has tangled with local power companies.

In March 2007, the group's legal director, Scott Edwards, filed a lawsuit against DTE under the Canadian Fisheries Act. After months of legal wrangling, the Superior Court of Ontario in January issued a summons for DTE officials to appear and answer the charges against them. That hearing will take place in late May.

Edwards targeted two specific plants in his lawsuit: the Belle River Power Plant in China Township and the St. Clair Power Plant in East China Township. Those Michigan-based plants, he argued, sit along the St. Clair River and contribute to mercury exposure across the way in Canada.

Looks like DTE isn't a very good team player when it comes to keeping our rivers clean.  Could THIS be why they're so interested in the minimum $2 billion in rate increases they're expected to reap along with Consumers under the House Democrats new "alternative energy" plan?  We know they can use the cash...

"We're currently spending $1 billion to reduce mercury and other emissions from our operations," said DTE spokesman Scott Simons. "We're in compliance with state regulations."

This is one of the two companies we want to LITERALLY entrust with all of the State's energy needs, hopes and dreams for the next twenty years?  They haven't even got their own house in order and they're now a frequent target of `well respected' environmental activist groups.  Oh yeah.  That sounds like a greeeeaat bet.  And what happens if they lose some of these suits and get slapped with hundreds of millions or more in clean up costs and financial penalties?  Where do you think they're going to come up with that cash?  

I'll give you three guesses but you'll only need one.  Rate payers.  Customers.  Which, according to Andy Dillon, Jennifer Granholm and John Cherry's plans means you.  You won't have a choice in the matter.  Michigan Democrats are attempting to force you to buy your energy for the next twenty years from a chronic polluter that's allegedly caused illness and death and has found itself the target of international law suits.

I know you'd LIKE to go with some other cheaper provider.  A better corporate and environmental citizen.  Tough brakes.

Which is pretty much the same message we continue to get from Howard Dean out at the DNC regarding the potential for Michigan's Dem delegates to be seated at the national convention in Denver.  Finally some of the lefty press here in Michigan are starting to take him to task over it.  Rochelle Riley (no conservative) writes today in the Ivory Tower:

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean told the "Today" show's Meredith Vieira Monday that the governing body of the Democratic Party will, indeed, follow the rules.

"I stand up for what the rules of the party are," Dean said. "You may or may not like the rules, but both candidates knew what the rules were when we started. They both have campaigns among pledged and unpledged delegates, and my job is to uphold the rules without fear or favor of any candidates."

If Dean is to be believed, then why isn't he pointing out to Michigan Democrats that there is no solution to their tainted primary save another primary or caucus?

Now, I'm glad that Ms. Riley is awake to our dilemma here but I should point out that by her logic there is NO solution to their tainted primary.  That whole "new primary or caucus" ship has sailed.  The Democrats in the legislature had an opportunity to do something about that over a month ago with GOP members pledging to vote however they were asked and the Obama camp scuttled it behind closed doors.

Michigan's delegation is still not seated.  We're almost in May.  The block of hotel rooms that had been reserved for Michigan out in Denver?  Released to others months ago.  Credentials?  Not printed.  

If Dean is a man of his word (we all know he's not but let's pretend) and he does in fact stand up for what the rules of the party are then Michigan is up the creek without a paddle.  Because the RULES say we have no delegates.  

And Barack Obama?  He needs it to stay that way.  That's why he continues to ignore us.  Clinton won more delegates.  At the District Caucuses last weekend she won many of the uncommitted delegates too.  If things are close in Denver in August and Obama has a slim lead the last thing he's going to want is for Clinton to close the gap further or to be able to claim Michigan's voters in her popular vote total.  And so we watch and wait and see a light blue state become a bigger battle-ground by the day.

Because Howard Dean is going to stand up for the rules.  Because deals made by fat cats in smoke filled back rooms in Washington, D.C. are more important than the voices of hundreds of thousands of voters in the most economically distressed State in the nation.  Nice to be appreciated, isn't it?