News
(Jackson, MI) - Brian Rooney, Republican candidate in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, released the following statement today concerning yesterday’s oil spill near Marshall in Calhoun County.
Rooney said, “The recent oil spill near the Kalamazoo River in Calhoun County is a disaster. Swift action must be taken to contain it and clean it up so that our groundwater remains safe and the spill does not reach Lake Michigan. All local, state, and federal resources must be made available immediately to prevent the oil from reaching the Great Lakes and to limit disruptions to wildlife, local residents and businesses. This is not just a “South Central Michigan” issue – the entire state and federal government apparatus must work together for the good of our state and its citizenry in this time of crisis."
He continued, "This is not a time for photo ops and and press conferences. We need all of our leaders to step up and get this disaster resolved. The Governor has called the response 'anemic' and that is unacceptable. After the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we should be prepared. People want to know the step-by-step plan on how this is going to be cleaned up and fixed. We do not need finger pointing and partisan politics involved in this. We need leaders to step up and keep us informed as to what their immediate plan of action is to protect the citizenry and the environment."
Background on the Talmadge Creek Oil Spill:
- Approximately 840,000 gallons of oil spilled into Talmadge Creek near Marshall in Calhoun County. - Battle Creek Enquirer
- The failed pipeline transports oil from Indiana to Sarnia, Ontario. - Battle Creek Enquirer
- The Kalamazoo River flows 166 miles from its source in Hillsdale and Jackson Counties and flows west to Lake Michigan. - Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
- The Kalamazoo River watershed includes ten counties including Calhoun, Eaton, Hillsdale, and Jackson Counties in the 7th Congressional District. Communities in the watershed are connected by infrastructure, surface water, and ground water. - Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
For more information on Brian Rooney, please visit www.RUNWITHROONEY.com.
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