Sierra Club Dismayed by Toxic COVID-19 Relief Package

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

CONTACT:

Tim Minotas

tim.minotas@sierraclub.org

808-726-5325

Justin Onwenu 

justin.onwenu@sierraclub.org 

313-405-5900

Sierra Club Dismayed by Toxic COVID-19 Relief Package 

Lansing, MI -- Sierra Club is dismayed by the inclusion of last minute language that allows for the transport of hazardous and toxic material across the Ambassador Bridge to the vital COVID-19 relief bill (Senate Bill 748). 

The COVID-19 relief bill provides necessary support for Michiganders as the pandemic continues. Sierra Club’s Environmental Justice Organizer, Justin Onwenu, was frustrated as dirty politics played out in Lansing while so many Michiganders continue to struggle with both their health and finances. “The COVID-19 relief package is meant to help people as we fight to protect public health. By sneaking in this dangerous language, legislators are threatening the health of Michiganders and our Great Lakes drinking water. Special interest language that has absolutely nothing to do with COVID-19 relief should be taken out immediately,” said Onwenu. 

There are safe transportation alternatives already in use. Given the Ambassador Bridge’s lack of proper technology, inadequate level of inspections, poor safety protocols, old age and deterioration, a hazardous materials accident on the bridge could be catastrophic for Great Lakes drinking water, and nearby residential neighborhoods.  

 

If kept, the language snuck into the COVID relief bill would allow for “flammable gases,” “poisonous gases,” “spontaneously combustible materials,” “dangerous when wet materials,” “poisonous materials” and “corrosive materials” to be transported near the 3 schools, 2 public parks, Great Lakes drinking water source for millions, and densely populated Detroit neighborhoods that are all in close vicinity of the bridge.

 

Tim Minotas, Sierra Club’s Legislative and Political Coordinator, noted the efforts of environmental leaders to stop the inclusion of the hazardous transport language. “Leaders like State Senator Chang and State Representative Garza stood up to the special interests that snuck in this last minute provision. While we weren’t able to strip the threat to public health out of this bill, we will be working with lawmakers in Lansing to stop the transport of toxic and hazardous waste across the Ambassador Bridge in our next legislative session,” said Minotas. He continued, “to include a provision that threatens the lives of Michiganders in a bill that is supposed to save lives during a pandemic is unconscionable. We applaud leaders like Representative Garza, Senator Chang, and other lawmakers Representatives Hammoud and Aiyash and that fought to stop this.” 

##

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Honored with Environmentalist of the Year Award

December 14, 2020

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Honored with Environmentalist of the Year Award

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 14, 2020

 

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Honored

with Environmentalist of the Year Award

Extraordinary 2020 Election Work Recognized by Sierra Club

 

More information:  Gail Philbin Gail.Philbin@sierraclub.org or

David Holtz 313-300-4454/david@davidholtz.org 

 

LANSING, MI--Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has been selected as Sierra Club’s 2020 Environmentalist of the Year in Michigan for her extraordinary work in safeguarding democracy during this year’s historic elections.  

 

Environmentalist of the Year is Michigan Sierra Club’s highest honor and for the first time in the award’s 30-year history it recognizes the critical importance of elections and voting in protecting the state’s environment. 

"Over the past four years, we have clearly seen that protecting our democracy is key to protecting both people and the environment,” said Courtney Hight, national Democracy Program Director for Sierra Club. “Thanks to Secretary Benson's unwavering leadership this year, Michigan's elections were safe and secure, the voters were able to elect climate champions, and our American democracy is stronger." 

In addition to Environmentalist of the Year, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter is honoring more than a dozen other Sierra Club volunteers for their contributions and also recognized the non-profit news site, Michigan Advance, with the 2020 Environmental Journalism Award for the Advance’s outstanding reporting on the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline controversy and “regularly engaging readers with compelling and approachable stories about a controversial pipeline that at any point in time could rupture and create an environmental and economic disaster.” 

 

“In this most challenging of years, it is particularly important to honor those among us who overcome all obstacles and stand out in protecting our Great Lakes environment,” said Gail Philbin, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director.  “They are Michigan heroes and we are grateful for what they do day in and day out to ensure our state is a better place.” 

Other 2020 Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Award recipients:

 

Terri Wilkerson of Pinckney was instrumental in securing resources and working with Michigan tribal members on a project that led to the discovery of ancient circles and lines of stone in the Straits of Mackinac that were likely left by early indigenous peoples of the region. She will receive the White Pine Award for environmental leadership for her work in connection with the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline threat.   

Mike Wilczynski of Brighton, a retired senior geologist with the former Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, received the Virginia Prentice Award for protecting Michigan wilderness and other ecologically sensitive areas by providing expertise to local groups and governments confronting pollution impacts of aggregate mining as well as his contributions in support of science-based accountability related to Enbridge’s proposal to construct a Line 5 oil tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac.  

 

Sustainability educator and community activist Deitra Covington of Novi is the recipient of the Marlene Fluharty Award. Covington, co-chair of the Michigan Chapter, is being recognized for her Sierra Club leadership in Michigan and at the national level, including developing the Race & Privilege Workgroup to address racial and environmental justice and Sierra Club’s work. 

 

Vicki Dobbins, a River Rouge resident, is being honored with the Bunyan Bryant Environmental Justice Award. She was recently featured in the New York Times story, In the Shadows of America’s Smokestacks and was a key witness in a groundbreaking settlement with DTE Energy that resulted in a commitment to retire three coal plants. 

 

Port Huron’s Marty Habalewsky was selected to receive the Theodore Roosevelt Award for political leadership.  Habalewsky pioneered Sierra Club’s work in the Port Huron area and has been a leader with the Michigan Chapter Political and Legislative committees. A savvy communicator, Habalewsky has skillfully found common ground and made inroads with moderates, conservatives, and local business leaders in a crucial corner of Michigan.

 

A little over a  year ago, Tiffany Stewart of Milford, who leads the Environmental Council of the Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, took over as co-chair of the Sierra Club Crossroads Group’s Political Committee. In that time she transformed it into a dynamic group that gets things done. Stewart is honored with the Sylvania Award, given to a new Sierra Club volunteer demonstrating exceptional leadership. 

 

In the effort to shut down Enbridge Line 5, Oil & Water Don’t Mix has been much of the public face of the seven-year campaign that recently resulted in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revoking Enbridge’s Line 5 operating agreement. Traverse City’s Bill Latka has been the digital genius behind the organization’s web site, digital organizing and other online efforts and receives the 2020 Sierra Club Digital Advocacy Award. 

 

Getting outside and connecting people with nature is the Sierra Club volunteer work of Gloria Bublitz whose contributions to outings in the Flint area is being recognized with the Vince Smith Award.

 

A trio of interns will receive the Trillium Award recognizing the contributions of young people to Sierra Club.  Sara Millies-Lucke, Elizabeth Boman and Keegan Sullivan will be honored for their research, digital and social media work over the past year. 

 

Editing the twice-monthly Michigan Chapter Update newsletter is a critically important volunteer-led effort and in 2020 a trio of volunteers are being honored for that effort: Lindsay Frigon, Fred Miller, Mike Thomas and Erica Hammill will receive Chapter Service Awards for their outstanding work as newsletter editors. 

 

A virtual awards event in January will be held at a date to be determined to celebrate this year’s honorees.  

 

##

Sierra Club Applauds Detroit Mayor’s Decision to Guarantee Water Shut Off Moratorium through 2022

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

CONTACT:

Christy McGillivray

christy.mcgillivray@sierraclub.org

808-726-5325

Justin Onwenu 

justin.onwenu@sierraclub.org 

313-405-5900

Sierra Club Applauds Detroit Mayor’s Decision to Guarantee Water Shut Off Moratorium through 2022 

Detroit, MI -- Sierra Club applauds City of Detroit officials for listening to advocates and public health experts by committing to end the practice of water shutoffs through 2022. The lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Detroit where the pandemic has had a particularly deadly impact, makes it clear that we cannot deny residential water service to the City’s residents and claim to protect public health. 

For two decades Detroit residents have been burdened with unaffordable water rate increases and high sewage bills. These unjust billing practices, and unaffordable water bills, have resulted in thousands of water shutoffs. Although today is a good step, DWSD Director Gary Brown made it clear that there will be no relief for the unjust water rates and unaffordable bills that have accumulated for Detroiters.

While Detroiters are protected from shutoffs through 2022, too many Michiganders are vulnerable to water shutoffs--this is not just a Detroit problem. Thousands of Michiganders outside of Detroit are facing unaffordable water bills as well, and the threat of water shutoffs looms. Sierra Club urges lawmakers in Lansing to immediately pass Senate Bill 241, which will ensure statewide access to safe running water while the pandemic continues. 

“The City of Detroit has stepped in where the legislature has shirked its duty to make sure that Detroiters can wash their hands as the pandemic continues. We hope that elected officials in Lansing put the same basic public health measures in place for the entire state,” said Christy McGillivray, Political and Legislative Director for the Michigan Chapter of Sierra Club. 

Justin Onwenu, Sierra Club’s Environmental Justice organizer lifted up the work that Detroiters have done for decades to make the connection between public health and running water. “For many years, activists have been saying what we know to be true, access to clean and affordable water is a human right that is inextricably linked to public health. This is a significant step and we look forward to seeing a permanent ban on shutoffs, as well as a commitment to true water affordability plans for all Michiganders,” said Onwenu.

##

Michigan House Passes Bill That Would Complicate Sales Of Electric Vehicles

Michigan House Passes Bill That Would Complicate Sales Of Electric Vehicles

Monday, December 7, 2020

Contact: 

Larisa Manescu, Sierra Club, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org

Tim Minotas, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, tim.minotas@sierraclub.org

Lansing, MI - Despite a coalition of 15 stakeholders opposing the bill, the Michigan House passed HB 6233 on Wednesday, legislation that would stifle the state’s ability to reach its climate goals by banning electric vehicle manufacturers from providing direct sales and service on their products. 

The Senate is expected to consider the bill this week. 

Given the significance of cleaning up the transportation sector, which makes up the majority of climate-disrupting pollution in Michigan, the passage of HB 6233 would make it difficult for Governor Whitmer to adhere to her recent executive order that sets Michigan on a path towards carbon neutrality by 2050. 

In response to the bill’s passage in the House, Tim Minotas, the Legislative and Political Coordinator at Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter, released the following statement:

“At a time when Michigan should be accelerating the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, manufactured in the US and available for people of all income levels, this legislation does the opposite. The Sierra Club opposes the House’s passage of HB 6233 and urges the Senate to reject this legislation that would have a chilling effect on electric vehicle sales, innovation, and consumer choice; if this bill makes it to Governor Whitmer’s desk, we strongly urge her to veto it.

“Michigan is the nation’s leading auto state and the need to clean up transportation pollution for the health of our communities is dire. Our elected officials must pass legislation that makes the transition to cleaner vehicles for the state and nation easier, not more difficult.”

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.