On second thought, Medical College is not pro-coal

By Rob Golub

Friday, August 22, 2003 12:51 AM CDT

On Tuesday, the Medical College of Wisconsin was reportedly pro-coal. By Thursday, it was neutral.

There was hardly time for a heartbeat this week, between the announcement that MCW was supporting more coal-fired power generation and a sudden reversal.

Some local doctors have expressed reservations regarding the proposed construction of coal-based electricity generators in Oak Creek. But MCW joined the pro-coal Alliance for Power and Jobs, according to an Alliance press release dated Tuesday.

Now, MCW officials say they never meant to join the group. They say there's been a mistake.

Membership in an organization supporting coal-based power would have been noteworthy for a medical organization. Coal has been linked to premature deaths, asthma attacks and emergency room visits.

The confusion started with statements made by Dr. William Hendee, vice president of MCW and dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. After Hendee reportedly talked with the Alliance for Power and Jobs, the Alliance distributed a press release announcing MCW as a new member.

The press release quoted Hendee: "As a private biomedical research and graduate educational institution, the Medical College of Wisconsin recognizes the need for an ample supply of reliable, reasonably-priced electrical power. Wisconsin needs Power the Future."

But MCW's associate vice president for public affairs, Dick Katschke, said Thursday that the college is not endorsing We Energies' Power the Future plan.

"There seems to be some confusion," Katschke said. "The Alliance had evidently talked with Dr. William Hendee and he had provided his personal support but that was construed as institutional support.

"The Medical College of Wisconsin has contacted the Alliance to let them know that we are remaining neutral on the issue of coal energy and we asked that our name be removed as an endorser of their support for coal energy."

He said MCW strongly believes in finding ways to maintain and build electrical power in Wisconsin.

"But the means to achieve, that we've remained neutral on," he said.

Hendee referred phone calls from a reporter Thursday to Katschke.

"(Hendee) was voicing his own personal support and he feels very strongly," Katschke said.

The Medical College of Wisconsin, located in Wauwatosa, is a private academic institution with 1,200 medical students.

All Saints Healthcare, which is not affiliated with MCW, has announced its opposition to coal.

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