Your story "N.J.'s ranking on beach-water quality up in '08" on Thursday highlights the important issue of water quality in our oceans. We should not have to worry about swimming in unsafe water when we head to the beach. Unfortunately, right now our nation's beaches do suffer from water pollution, with more than 20,000 closings and advisory days this year at ocean, bay, and Great Lakes beaches.
The Natural Resources Defense Council report also considered how global warming will affect our oceans' water quality. It found that global warming is expected to make beachwater pollution even worse, since more frequent and intense rainstorms will lead to an increase in stormwater runoff and sewage overflows.
A clean energy bill that lowers U.S. global warming pollution will be considered in the Senate this year, and Pennsylvania Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter need to support it.
Jessica Renny
Campaign coordinator
PennEnvironment
Philadelphia
