TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Environmental groups are warning that the "summer slime" season is approaching.
Groups supporting water pollution standards proposed for Florida by the federal Environmental Protection Agency announced on Tuesday that they are running a 30-second television spot across the state.
The EPA, though, is considering alternative rules proposed by the state. The environmentalists say they would be too weak. The state rules are supported by business, agriculture and utility interests that contend the federal standards would be too expensive to implement.
The Florida Water Coalition's ad blames sewage, manure, fertilizer and industrial pollution for outbreaks of toxic algae blooms. It features footage of the green slime and urges viewers to tell President Barack Obama that now is the time for action.
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Online: "Summer slime" ad, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK4zE-3zjxc