"EPA: Civil Rights Advocates Despair After Decades of Agency Inaction"

"FLINT, Mich. -- In 1994, activists opposing the construction of a wood-fired power plant here asked U.S. EPA for help, arguing the project would spew toxic pollutants into their poor, largely African-American neighborhood.

At issue: Would granting a permit to the power plant violate the community's civil rights? Twenty-one years later, the Genesee Power Station's smokestacks are puffing away, and its neighbors are still waiting for an answer.

'It's kind of a race. Is the Second Coming going to happen, or am I going to hear from the EPA?' said the Rev. Phil Schmitter, a 69-year-old Catholic priest who sent the call for help to EPA. 'Right now, I'm betting on the Second Coming.'"

Robin Bravender reports for Greenwire February 19, 2015.