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.”
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