Sierra Club on Governor Whitmer’s State of the State Address

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tim Minotas

tim.minotas@sierraclub.org

(248) 961-9610

Sierra Club on Governor Whitmer’s State of the State Address

Lansing, MI -- Today, Governor Gretchen delivered her fourth State of the State address, highlighting past accomplishments, her vision, and new initiatives to protect and put Michiganders first.

At the Detroit Diesel powertrain factory, Governor Whitmer put forward five new proposals to grow Michigan’s economy, including a $2,500 electric vehicle rebate that will help lower the costs of EVs in Michigan. She also took the time to call for investments in Michigan’s infrastructure after decades of neglect. Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has invested over $2 billion in water infrastructure supporting over 30,000 jobs.

In response to the governor’s speech, Sierra Club released the following statements:

"Michigan is the birthplace of the automotive industry. The vision for an all-electric future laid out tonight by Governor Whitmer represents an opportunity for Michigan to continue its leadership in the automotive industry and pave the way into a clean transportation future that saves consumers money, spurs economic growth, innovation, job creation, and protects public health. However, Michigan also needs to think more broadly to make the transportation system work for all residents. Providing access to more affordable transportation modes such as public transportation, walking, and biking should be a key goal for the future clean transportation system. We look forward to continuing our work with the Governor and her team in this important space." - Tim Minotas, Legislative and Political Coordinator for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter 

"Governor Whitmer delivered on her promise to clean up our water, and we must continue this investment in years to come. It is fiscally responsible to fix infrastructure before the costs of repair skyrocket, and Governor Whitmer is making the right choice by pushing for investments." -  Christy McGillivray, Legislative and Political Director for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter 

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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.

Brewery Founder Larry Bell is Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Environmentalist of the Year

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, January 10, 2022

More information:  Gail Philbin 616-805-3063/gail.philbin@sierraclub.org

Brewery Founder Larry Bell is Sierra Club 

Michigan Chapter Environmentalist of the Year

LANSING, MI–Three years after their massive 2010 oil pipeline rupture along the Kalamazoo River, Canada’s oil transport giant, Enbridge, decided Comstock Township would be a good place to put toxic dredge from their cleanup operations.  

But Enbridge didn’t tell local officials about the dredge pad, didn’t have permits and didn’t see Larry Bell coming. Bell, founder and president of Bell’s Brewery, sued Enbridge, forcing them to halt their dredge dumping operations, which threatened to pollute the water and air near Bell’s nearby Comstock brewery.  Bell went on to help create and lead the Great Lakes Business Network five years ago and spearheaded the campaign among Michigan businesses to shut down Enbrige’s Line 5 oil pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. 

Today, Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter announced that Larry Bell is their Environmentalist of the Year, the first time in the award’s 30-year history the organization has chosen to honor a business owner who is not a philanthropist. Environmentalist of the Year is the group’s highest honor.

“Larry Bell’s fact-based, non-partisan and pragmatic advocacy has illuminated the dangers of the ticking time bomb that threatens the Great Lakes every day Line 5 is allowed to operate in the Straits of Mackinac,” said Gail Philbin, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter state director. “He and other visionary leaders in the Great Lakes Business Network are indispensible voices for businesses who understand how vital it is that we protect our Great Lakes.”  

For Bell, who first earned his environmental chops as a Boy Scout volunteering with his local Sierra Club group in Illinois, Enbridge’s Line 5 was an awakening that began with the 1.2 million-gallon Kalamzoo oil spill, the largest in the state’s history. 

“When the spill happened 30 miles away from us, the oil came down the Kalamazoo River and started impacting us,” recalled Bell.  “Our eyes were opened. Then we found out there was this pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac.  It was unbelievable that this company owned those pipelines in the Straits.  I said, ‘Hell, yes, I’m in.’” 

Bell, who sold his iconic brewery in 2021, said he plans to increase his environmental work. 

“I can be stronger now in my sentiments and work harder for the causes I care about,” said Bell.

In addition to Bell,15 other organizations and individuals are being honored this year by Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter.  A virtual awards event will be held at 1pm Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. 

Two environmental journalism awards were also announced today by Sierra Club. The Great Lakes News Collaborative and Stephanie Cepak, a communications specialist with Byrum & Fisk Communications, were both honored for their work advancing environmental and energy issues within the news media. 

Other Sierra Club awards went to: 

Lifetime Excellence Award: Helen LeBlanc

Marlene Fluharty Award: Lee Burton

Sylvania Award: Androni Henry

White Pine Award:  The Grand Haven Energy Organization and Urban Core Collective 

Trillium Award:  Spartan Sierra Club

Theodore Roosevelt Political Leadership Award: Southeast Michigan Group Political Committee

Digital Excellence Award: Julie Geisinger

Service Awards:  Brad Kent, Jane O’Neil, Denise Trabbic-Pointer, Lori Dostal and Vicki Olsen

More information on the Sierra Club awards and to register for the Feb. 5 awards event go to:

https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan/chapter-awards

SIERRA CLUB GETS A HEAD START ON 2022 ELECTION

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

CONTACT:

Tim Minotas

248-961-9610

tim.minotas@sierraclub.org

SIERRA CLUB GETS A HEAD START ON 2022 ELECTION

The 150,000 members and supporters of the Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club are ready to campaign in Michigan communities to talk to residents about clean water resources and infrastructure, clean energy, and protection of our public lands. All because the future of the Great Lakes and Michigan’s clean energy economy will be on the line in 2022.

As a first step, Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter has done a deep dive into the positions taken by all members of the Michigan Legislature and is announcing today its early endorsement candidates. Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest environmental advocacy organization and its track record of holding candidates accountable for their positions on key issues like investment in clean renewable energy, environmental justice, and drinking water protection is unmatched. The endorsements being announced today are incumbents who have sponsored critical environmental legislation; have outstanding voting records this legislative session on pro-environment bills and have supported the Sierra Club’s social justice initiatives.

The environmental champions who are endorsed by the Club for re-election in 2022 are:

State House

Padma Kuppa (D)

Kelly Breen (D)

Ranjeev Puri (D)

Lori Stone (D)

Julie Rogers (D)

Regina Weiss (D)

Felicia Brabec (D)

Kara Hope (D)

Rachel Hood (D)

Abraham Aiyash (D)

Laurie Pohutsky (D)

Christine Morse (D)

State Senate

Stephanie Chang (D)

Jeremy Moss (D)

Rosemary Bayer (D)

Jeff Irwin (D)

Erika Geiss (D)

Winnie Brinks (D)

Mallory McMorrow (D)

Sean McCann (D)

“It is extremely important that we support incumbent pro environment legislators.” said Tim Minotas, Political Coordinator for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “Some of these incumbents may have close races, and it’s important for us to support champions who have proved their commitment to climate, public health, and clean water through their voting records and active advocacy.”

“Michigan needs fighters in the Michigan legislature, and these candidates are trusted, steadfast environmental champions, who protect the health of Michigan’s environment and the well-being of our families”, said Christy McGillivray, Political Director of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.

“Sierra Club volunteers should make a commitment right now to work with our endorsed candidates and campaigns and to identify and turn out voters who are concerned about the state’s environmental and energy policies”, said Mark Meadows, Political Chair of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, “We need all hands on deck to make sure that Clean energy jobs, environmental protection, and protection of the Great Lakes from oil spills and other degradation remain at the forefront of Michigan’s political objectives.  

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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.

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

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.