Relocation Assistance: Air Quality and Pollution Sources (Madison, Fitchburg: 2010, apartments)

[subclavius]

Hello all,

I lived in Madison once before and I'm still familiar with all of the areas and neighborhoods. However, since moving away I developed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, which makes my respiratory system highly susceptible to airborne particulate matter. Although Madison's air quality isn't always perfect, it's by far and away better than my current location, and work is sending me back to Madison so my health will improve.

Where I need help is to pinpoint the significant areas of pollution in the west and near west parts of town, the isthmus, and Fitchburg. These are the areas I'm looking for an apartment and I need to avoid anyplace near one of the town's major polluters.

For example, I won't be looking at anywhere near the beltline. I also once ran across a small coal fired power plant somewhere by Doty or Regent Street, but I can't remember exactly where that was. And because I didn't have MCS when I lived there before, I didn't pay any attention to the big plant on East Washington and don't know the impact it has on the surrounding community.

I won't be looking for any place near the airport. The idea is to find someplace along the Southwest Commuter Bike Trail and use it to get to work, thus avoiding automobile smog except for where it crosses major roadways.

I'm familiar enough with Madison to skip seeking advice on what general areas to consider, but I sure would appreciate it if someone can inform me on any specific sources of air pollution so I can integrate that into my apartment search.

Thanks

[Indi9]

Thank you for posting this question. I need some answers, too, since I also have MCS and plan to move back to Madison by May. I posted a similar question not too long ago. You may find some of the answers I received helpful. Look for the thread on air quality near the airport. Best wishes.

[subclavius]

Thanks Indi9.

Next time I'm in Madison I'm going to stay at the Arbor House, an eco-friendly bed & breakfast that uses non-toxic materials and serves organic food quite a bit. While there I plan to ask them some questions on this subject because I suspect they'll have a very informed opinion. You could probably send them an email inquiring about the same thing.

A general strategy of mine is to find a place near one of the lakes, parks, cemeteries, or golf courses, with the idea that by virtue of less streets and roads around there will be less smog. This would be of particular benefit if the apartment was on the eastern side of the geographic feature, because the wind generally blows to the east, so you would be getting cleaner air than if you were living on the eastern side of a major polluter or heavily traveled road. You'll still get some pollutant carry over, but not as bad if you were surrounded by row after row of city streets.

If you're going to working at MATC there's a pretty good number of apartments lining the lake and next to parks, Starting with Nichols Station by Tenney Park and moving northward to the Maple Bluffs area. this would also give you an easy commute to Willy Street and the Atwood area for the activities you mentioned you enjoyed in some of your other posts. You'd also be upwind of the airport and wouldn't have to worry about it unless the wind changed direction or there wasn't any wind at all.

I'd still like to know a little more about that big plant by East Washington before looking at the Willy and Atwood areas, which otherwise, I would enjoy living at. With Madison being a fairly green city it could be a reduced emmissions plant. In the city where I live now, the neighbors of one of the town's biggest plants have "wipe down parties", where the whole block walks from street to street wiping the industrial soot and grime off their house, cars, and children's swingsets.

[Indi9]

subclavius, thanks so much for the info. I read about the Arbor House in one of my Madison guidebooks. Definitely worth looking into. All the best...

[MidwesternBookWorm]

Originally Posted by subclavius

I'd still like to know a little more about that big plant by East Washington before looking at the Willy and Atwood areas, which otherwise, I would enjoy living at. With Madison being a fairly green city it could be a reduced emmissions plant. In the city where I live now, the neighbors of one of the town's biggest plants have "wipe down parties", where the whole block walks from street to street wiping the industrial soot and grime off their house, cars, and children's swingsets.

If you're referring to the MG&E plant close to downtown just off East Wash on Blount Street, that is an anachronistic coal-fired plant that violates the city's own standards for clean air. There has been increasing pressure on MG&E to move to a cleaner source of power, or, if they won't do so, for the city to enact new laws that would force them to do so, but I don't expect major changes for at least a decade and possibly longer. [Edited to add: one source claims that MG&E will stop burning coal at that location by 2010.] And it'll probably take TIF (Madison-speak for tax incentives) money to get them to move forward with it.

The only other factory that I can think of that's anywhere near East Wash is the Madison-Kipp plant on Fair Oaks near Atwood. That's a metal fabrication plant that has its own issues with emissions, and the neighborhood nearby has been trying unsuccessfully for years to get them to voluntarily take action to clean up their act.

If you have breathing problems, you wouldn't want to live near either of those plants.

[subclavius]

Thank you very much MidwesternBookworm, that is exactly the type of information I am looking for. It's a shame though, because I really like the Willy Street and Atwood areas.

[MidwesternBookWorm]

Originally Posted by subclavius

Thank you very much MidwesternBookworm, that is exactly the type of information I am looking for. It's a shame though, because I really like the Willy Street and Atwood areas.

I do, too, and I am an East-sider because we do like the area and the vibe so much. But if you have breathing issues, you should be careful about living too close to those factories.

One thing you might want to do is to go straight to the source, as it were, and ask MG&E what exactly their plans are for ending the coal-burning portion of that power plant on Blount downtown. Their website is here: Madison Gas and Electric Company - Madison, Wisconsin and I know they at least talk a good game when it comes to protecting the environment. Who knows, maybe you can find someone there to actually give you a straight answer about the dates for their conversion to a cleaner source of energy.

Good luck to you in any case, and I hope you find a spot where you can both breathe and enjoy living.