As part of the deal being proposed for Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn to build a huge plant in southeast Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker is proposing that the city of Racine be allowed to divert seven million gallons of Lake Michigan water every day. The water would be used in the manufacture of high-tech electronic screens. Conservation groups are opposed to the plan, saying it’s just the latest move to undercut the state’s environmental laws. Ryan Billingham is with the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters.
The compact is a multi-state bipartisan agreement regarding the use of water from Lake Michigan. Walker and Republicans say much of the water, which is the equivalent of 875 tanker trucks per day, will be returned to the lake after treatment, and that the Foxconn plant will be a huge boost to the state’s economy. The Great Lakes hold 90 percent of America’s fresh water, and Billingham says the diversion of this much water from Lake Michigan for private industry use is unprecedented.
The city of Milwaukee taps about 97 million gallons of water each day from Lake Michigan, for both residential and business use. The Department of Natural Resources is taking public comments on the plan through the 21st of March.
