In 2005, a report entitled "Ocean Shipping in the Great Lakes: Transportation Cost Increases That Would Result from a Cessation of Ocean Vessels Shipping" was published. This research activity was funded by The Joyce Foundation and looked at transportation cost increases that would occur if, for whatever reason, ocean shipping ceased in the Great Lakes. The research concluded that shippers would incur additional costs of $55 million annually if this should occur. This is a relatively small amount compared to overall transportation costs associated with the movement of ocean vessel cargo into and out of the Great Lakes region. These cost advantages must be weighed against the costs associated with ocean vessel shipping, especially the cost of invasive species introduction and management. In fact, the research was originally prompted by a number of initiatives related to invasive species and their control through better methods of ballast management.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that Great Lakes United, a basin wide organization concerned with the health of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem and its inhabitants opposes the construction of this plant.

The following is a summary of the ballast water provisions of H.R. 2830, legislation authorizing appropriations for the Coast Guard for FY 2008. The legislation has been approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives this month. The legislation is of critical importance to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United urges Department of Energy to prohibit shipments of high-level radioactive waste on the Great Lakes and calls on the Department of Energy to abandon the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership revival of commercial irradiated nuclear fuel reprocessing.

PowerPoint summary of the 2005 report, "Ocean Shipping In the Great Lakes: Transportation Cost Increases That Would Result From A Cessation of Ocean Vessel Shipping". This report concludes that a cessation of ocean shipping on the Great Lakes would result in a transportation cost penalty of US$54.9 million per year.

This is the first of four factsheets dispelling myths about the environmental and health impact of incineration. This factsheet explores the impact of incineration on global warming and climate change.

This is the third of four factsheets dispelling myths about the environmental and health impact of incineration. The following fact sheet is intended assist municipal decision makers better comprehend the issues related to municipal solid waste incineration facilities like the energy output; its relation to waste; the relationship to the sale of energy; and selling energy from waste in Ontario.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United urge representatives of the basin’s First Nations, tribes, provinces, states, counties, regions, and municipalities to seek means by which their roles in Great Lakes protection are defined in any future revision of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and Be it further resolved that we urge the two federal governments to include the above by defining their role and relative responsibilities.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United (GLU) urge that existing authorities be exercised to delineate complementary policies for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River bottomlands that: As a first priority, identify and map areas that should be protected from any significant lakebed alternations, and designate them for legal protection. Prohibit uses of lakebed that are not water-dependent. Identify locations for sitting of projects in areas that can tolerate such disturbances. Prevent degradation of aquatic habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms, water-dependent
birds, and other wildlife from proposed uses. Require a demonstration of clear and substantial public benefit, including but not limited to environmental benefit—including the reduction of electric generation from coal-fired power
plants or nuclear waste generating–facilities—before authorizing such uses. Require the assessment of alternatives to bottomland-use proposals.

Therefore be it resolved that Great Lakes United (GLU) and its members participate in the governments’ review of the GLWQA, and Be it further resolved that GLU confer with its members throughout the review process to develop positions on actions that should be taken as outcomes from the review, and Be it further resolved that GLU continue to consult with its members and communicate to the governments recommendations to improve the review process as it moves forward, and Be it finally resolved that GLU communicate to the governments that the review should first review the purpose and scope of the GLWQA and provide for broad public review, before review of Agreement and Annexes.