Sierra Club Statement on Permit Approval or Ajax Asphalt Plant in Genesee Township

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Gail Philbin, Gail.Philbin@sierraclub.org

 

Sierra Club Statement on Permit Approval or Ajax Asphalt Plant in Genesee Township

 

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) approval of an air permit for the Ajax Materials Corp. asphalt plant in Genesee Township near a low-income housing complex spotlights the urgent need for reform of environmental regulations that address the cumulative impacts of industrial pollution. Sierra Club Michigan Chapter released this statement on the issue, which can be attributed to Gail Philbin, Sierra Club Michigan director:

“EGLE's decision to issue an air permit to the Ajax Materials Corp. proposed asphalt plant demonstrates the need to strengthen our federal and state environmental standards as they apply to communities in heavily industrialized areas. Sierra Club supports the Flint based coalition members and environmental law firms which have fought this permit and are now pursuing a civil rights complaint to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Civil Rights’ Office on EGLE's action.

"There are very real health effects from being surrounded daily by industrial pollution, even if the environmental standards for each individual facility are met. Cumulative pollution from multiple sources can translate to higher rates of asthma and other health problems in communities that often lack access to adequate medical care. Our state environmental agency needs to ensure that all Michigan residents are protected by our environmental laws.”

 

 

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About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.8 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.

Sierra Club Commends Legislative Democrats Climate Resiliency Bill Package

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Contact: Tim Minotas, tim.minotas@sierraclub.org 

Sierra Club Commends Legislative Democrats Climate Resiliency Bill Package 

LANSING, MI - Today, the Sierra Club applauds the Michigan House and Senate Democrats climate resiliency bill package. Climate change directly intersects with many key issues challenging our state including infrastructure, public health, jobs, and protecting our water.

We are seeing flooded homes, businesses, freeways, farmlands, and billions of gallons of raw sewage polluting our waterways from overloaded water systems, all costing our state billions. What would be considered 100 and 500-year flood events, Michigan is now getting every couple of years, and our infrastructure and roads aren’t built to handle them. We need to start looking at alternative, more resilient, cost-effective, and efficient green infrastructure options. These bills introduced today will begin to enact systemic changes and make climate-resilient investments where we need them most.

Included in the climate resilience package are proposals for:

• A climate resiliency corps to employ Michiganders to work on resiliency projects with local governments, non-profits, universities, tribes, and businesses, with a goal of 40% of those projects being in environmental protection communities.

• A disaster relief and weatherization navigator program to help assist individuals in navigating the complicated web of assistance programs related to these specific areas

• A Weatherization and pre-weatherization jobs program to help low-income residents in Michigan improve energy efficiency and resiliency of their homes to combat the effects of extreme weather, repair homes that are in deferment so they can participate in weatherization assistance, all while creating good-paying jobs and apprenticeships to perform the upgrades.

• Expanding the percentage of how much Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) dollars can be spent on weatherization.

• A green infrastructure permit for MDOT highway projects, which would require them to consider forecasted climate conditions and green infrastructure alternatives in their projects.

• Requiring water utilities in the state to have backup power sources for their water pumps if the primary source fails.

• Adding environmental disasters and natural disasters to the local and state emergency alert system, to ensure our residents are prepared and aware of incoming severe weather, chemical spills, and industrial accidents.

• Local municipalities to develop their own stormwater utility system

In response, Tim Minotas, a Legislative and Political Coordinator with the Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter, released the following statement:

“As we have experienced, extreme weather events will continue to bring flooding and other issues to Michigan, and to prepare for them we have to build resiliency within our infrastructure and communities, and ensure that our residents have the resources to recover from and manage these new realities. The bills introduced today, take a proactive approach to plant the seeds of an economy to sustain us over the long term -- one that will create thousands of good, family-sustaining jobs, prioritize vulnerable communities, and protect our water resources. To adapt to climate change and protect public health, we have to take action now. 

“This is a time to be decisive in saving lives, and bold in charting a path to a genuinely healthier and more equitable future for all Michigan residents. Sierra Club, our members, supporters, and environmental advocates across the state will use this solid foundation to continue to push for action across the board in Michigan so that we truly tackle this crisis at the speed and scale that justice and science demand.”

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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide, and over 150,000 in Michigan. In addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org.

Sierra Club endorsed candidates make gains in local races

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Sierra Club endorsed candidates make gains in local races 

Media Contacts:   

Tim Minotas: 248-961-9610

Sierra Club endorsed candidates won big in last night’s elections across Michigan. The issues that drove voters to the polls in this off-year election included candidate commitments to renewable energy at the municipal level, safe affordable drinking water, environmentally sustainable development, and support for local green space programs. Sierra Club is proud to support candidates that championed these issues. 

The biggest win of the night came from Grand Haven in seats for the Grand Haven City Council and the Grand Haven Board of Light and Power by Sierra Club endorsed candidates, Andrea Hendrick, Micheal Westbrook, Kevin McLaughlin, and Karen Lowe.

These races are important in particular because community members have been pushing back against a polluting gas plant project. With these voices now on the City Council and the Board of Light and Power, the people of Grand Haven now have representation that will fight to protect their air and water.

The election results from last night show that candidate positions on environmental issues will also play a big role in the 2022 election. According to polling done earlier this year through GQR, 71% of registered voters in Michigan believe that climate change is a serious problem, and 67 percent of voters want to increase the state’s usage of renewable energy like wind and solar energy. Sierra Club channels significant grassroots support to translate these polling results into election results, and last night’s wins show that we are making gains going into 2022. 

“This is a crucial time in Michigan for setting a new, higher standard when it comes to environmental policy”, said Tim Minotas, Legislative and Political Coordinator for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “Cities and local utilities across the country have been taking it upon themselves and leading the way to cut emissions, increase resiliency, and protect green spaces to ensure we are leaving a healthy environment for future generations. We look forward to working with all of yesterday’s winners in protecting the air, land, and water within their communities.”

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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide and over 150,000 in Michigan. 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/Michigan.

Paid for by Michigan Sierra PAC (109 E. Cesar E. Chavez  Ave. Lansing, MI 48906)

Sierra Club calls for EGLE reforms in support of Benton Harbor Community Water Council Petition to EPA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Contact: 

Christy McGillivray, 808-726-5325 

christy.mcgillivray@sierraclub.org

Sierra Club calls for EGLE reforms in support of Benton Harbor Community Water Council Petition to EPA 

Lansing, MI - A petition to the federal Environmental Protection Agency calling for emergency action on lead-contaminated drinking water in Benton Harbor highlights the need for immediate reforms at the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). 

“State regulators have been rubber stamping too much for too long,” said Rhonda Anderson with Sierra Club. “We need reform, and the cost for failing to do so is the impact on far too many whose health and lives have been compromised.”

Anderson continued, “EGLE staff who failed to protect the health of Benton Harbor residents from lead contamination for more than three years by failing to meet the requirements in Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule should be held accountable. There is a pattern and practice within our state environmental agency of failures, and those failures have gone on for far too long. It’s time for Gov. Whitmer to take personal responsibility for EGLE’s failed leadership and clean house.” 

Today’s petition to the EPA was filed by the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, in partnership with Natural Resources Defense Council, at the direction of the Benton Harbor Community Water Council. Allegations in the petition, which was endorsed by Sierra Club, focus on the ongoing public health crisis in Benton Harbor because of drinking water contaminated by lead. Problems identified in the petition, however, reflect a persistent culture of disregard and negligence at EGLE that disproportionately impacts low-income Black communities in Michigan. 

Since 1991, when former Governor Engler removed citizen oversight of the Department of Environmental Quality, (formerly DEQ, now EGLE), Sierra Club has vocally decried the lack of transparency, poor responsiveness to public concerns, and continued negligence that violates basic human rights from the state agency tasked with protecting public health by protecting air, land, and water. The rejected 2009 DEQ Environmental Justice plan, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission Report in the wake of the Flint water crisis, and the EPA petition submitted today, make it clear that demands for reform at EGLE have yet to be met. The consequence of failing to meet these demands are ongoing public health emergencies, particularly in communities of color. To that end, Sierra Club supports the petition to EPA submitted today, as well as the demand that EGLE fully implement and fund its commitment to environmental justice as spelled out in the creation of the office of Environmental Justice in 2019. EGLE must be held accountable to follow the law and protect public health. 

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About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.8 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.

Sierra Club Ramps up Massive Mobilization to Protect Democracy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Christy McGillivray

christy.mcgillivray@sierraclub.org 

808-726-5325 

 

 

Sierra Club Ramps up Massive Mobilization to Protect Democracy

 Lansing, MI (August 31, 2021) – A small fraction of Michiganders may be given the power to restrict ballot access to millions of Michiganders thanks to a Republican led anti-democracy petition drive launched today in Michigan. Sierra Club issued the following statement in response: 

 “We know an overwhelmingly bi-partisan majority of Michiganders support a thriving democracy. The Republican referendum launched today is intended to exploit the state constitution to allow a slim majority of voters to deprive millions of Michiganders the right to vote. After a safe, secure, and successful election in 2020, we should be celebrating the successful implementation of Prop 3 reforms, not depriving voters of access to the ballot,” said Christy McGillivray, the Political and Legislative Director for the Michigan Chapter of Sierra Club. ”The Republican response to losing in the 2020 election has been to try and make it harder to vote. That is not how democracy works. The Sierra Club’s 150,000 members and supporters are ready to fight back against this blatant attack on the freedom to vote and our democracy.” 

 “Voter suppression in Michigan is part of a nationwide push to hamstring our democracy,” said Courtney Hight, the Democracy Program Director for the Sierra Club. “The Sierra Club is mobilizing across the country to stop voter suppression efforts in state legislatures and to support the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act nationally. We need a healthy and equitable  democracy to tackle the climate crisis, address the critical issues of environmental justice, and the Sierra Club members are ready to fight for both.”

 

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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide and over 150,000 in Michigan. 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/Michigan.

Governor Whitmer invests $150 million into Local Parks and Recreation

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Wednesday, July 7th

Contact: Tim Minotas, tim.minotas@sierraclub.org

Governor Whitmer invests $150 million into Local Parks and Recreation

LANSING, MI - In a historic announcement on Tuesday, Gov. Whitmer pledged a $150 million investment into Michigan’s state parks and recreation facilities. This funding comes in the form of federal relief dollars from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and accompanies another $250 million that Governor Whitmer proposed to invest in Michigan’s parks and trails last month. 

The governor’s announcement marks an important investment into Michigan’s economy, natural resources, local communities, and environment. Tourism and outdoor recreation are vital to our state’s economy, supporting approximately 126,00 jobs and billions of dollars in state and local tax revenue. Our parks and recreation areas represent all things Pure Michigan, providing wonder and awe to Michigan residents and tourists alike. Without funding, these sites cannot be maintained and enjoyed properly. This funding will also finance land conservation, supporting the ecological benefits of our land and helping maintain healthy environments. Governor Whitmer’s proposal will help local communities to maintain and manage natural spaces and parks, as well as increase access to them so that everyone can enjoy the great outdoors. 

“It is great to see this type of funding into our state’s outdoor areas,” said Tim Minotas, Legislative and Political Coordinator for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “Michigan has so much natural beauty to share, but it is impossible to preserve and maintain these spaces without funding, especially when we are seeing record numbers of people visiting our parks. This funding means more people in our communities will be able to explore and enjoy our parks and position us to protect them for generations to come.”   

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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide, and over 150,000 in Michigan. In addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org.

Thousands Fight Back Against Voter Suppression

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Christy McGillivray

christy.mcgillivray@sierraclub.org 

808-726-5325 

 

 

Thousands Fight Back Against Voter Suppression 

More than 1,500 Michigan Sierra Club Members call in support of free and fair elections 

 

Lansing, MI (June 30, 2021) – Sierra Club volunteers from across the country joined Michiganders to fight back against recent Republican-led voter suppression efforts. More than 100 volunteers made calls to inform constituents about this imminent threat to voting rights. In turn, over 1,500 constituents committed to calling their state legislators demanding opposition to the 39 bill package introduced in March designed to obstruct access to the ballot.

“After a safe, secure, and successful election in 2020, we should be celebrating the leadership of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and local clerks, not making it harder to vote in Michigan,” said Christy McGillivray, the Political and Legislative Director for the Michigan Chapter of Sierra Club. She continued, ”The Republican response to losing in the 2020 election has been to try and make it harder to vote. That is not how democracy works. In Michigan we value democracy, and over 1,500 constituents just demonstrated this by committing to call to stop voter suppression.” 

The bills drawing the most criticism in the package make it harder to register for an absentee ballot, restrict access to ballot drop boxes, prohibit the Secretary of State from making absentee ballot applications easily accessible online, ban local clerks from providing pre paid postage for absentee ballots, and bar clerks from counting absentee ballots in the weeks leading up to an election, among other things. 

“Voter suppression in Michigan is part of a nationwide push to hamstring our democracy,” said Courtney Hight, the Democracy Program Director for the Sierra Club. “The Sierra Club is mobilizing across the country to stop voter suppression efforts in state legislatures and to support the For the People Act nationally. We need a healthy democracy to tackle the climate crisis, and Sierra Club members are ready to fight for both.”

 

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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide and over 150,000 in Michigan. 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/Michigan.