The blackest city in the US is facing an environmental justice nightmare
Detroit’s most vulnerable residents face inequalities like toxic air, lead poisoning, and water shutoffs. Now they’re fighting back.
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January 9, 2020
January 8, 2020
Struggling to breathe in 48217, Michigan’s most toxic ZIP code
This is the first in a series of stories exploring environmental racism in Michigan.
Carmen Garrison avoids the outdoors because she's certain the air is poisoning her.
As a kid, she often threw up and had a headache after walking to school in southwest Detroit. More than three decades later, her eyes burn, her throat hurts, and her nose runs if she takes even a short stroll down the road.
January 5, 2020
December 20, 2019
Sierra Club Condemns Donald Trumps Statements Regarding Late Congressman Dingell
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 20, 2019
Sierra Club Condemns Donald Trumps Statements Regarding Late Congressman Dingell
Media Contacts:
Christy McGillivray: 808-726-5325
Tim Minotas: 248-961-9610
“The Sierra Club condemns in the strongest possible terms Donald Trump’s statements regarding the late congressman, John Dingell. His statements were dishonorable and unbecoming of the President of the United States. Congressman Dingell was a veteran and proudly served Michiganders in Congress for over-half a century. Congressman Dingell left a remarkable legacy -- our air, land, water, and environmental protections are stronger thanks to him. The Sierra Club’s thoughts are with Congresswoman Dingell during this tough time. - Christy McGillivray, Legislative and Political Director of 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.
December 19, 2019
Reject DTE's Long-Term Energy Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 19, 2019
Contact: Rachel Perkins, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, (517) 333-1606
Recommendation looms for DTE Energy plan that advocates and the public have called to reject
LANSING - Advocates from across Michigan have been calling on the Michigan Public Service Commission to reject DTE Energy’s long-term energy plan as the the case surrounding the plan comes to a close. On Friday, the judge overseeing the case will share her reading of the case and propose a recommendation to the Michigan Public Service Commission, which will give the final ruling early next year.
To date, more than 3,300 Michigan residents have submitted public comments and over 150 people attended the public hearing in June, the vast majority urging the Commission to reject DTE’s plan. Comments can be viewed on the MPSC website.
In addition, various health, environmental, conservation and clean energy advocates have also worked to raise awareness of the shortcomings of DTE’s plan and mobilized customers to make their voices heard. View the relevant blog posts, op-eds and other resources.
The following are statements from environmental, conservation, consumer and community organizations ahead of the MPSC’s decision:
“DTE gave solar and wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency and demand response a passing nod, then went ahead and submitted a proposal dependent on dirty coal, outdated technology and old ways of thinking,” said Margrethe Kearney, Michigan Senior Attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Other utilities have plans that will send Michigan toward a clean energy future. DTE’s plan threatens to send us backward.”
“DTE’s long range energy plan was riddled with flaws and failed to fully embrace the promise of affordable, clean and renewable energy for Michigan’s residents,” said Charlotte Jameson, Program Director for Legislative Affairs and Energy Policy for Michigan Environmental Council. “The Commission should reject DTE’s IRP and ensure the company comes back to the table with a plan that doesn’t undersell energy waste reduction and renewable energy nor unnecessarily extend the life of expensive, polluting coal plants.”
“In 2019, we experienced two climate disasters, the toxic release from Marathon during the polar vortex and the collapse of a uranium contaminated site due to rising lake levels. Michigan deserves a plan to ensure safe and healthy energy in an age of climate crisis and DTE failed to provide that,” said Michelle Martinez, statewide coordinator for the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition. “We need a bold energy plan not only for black and brown communities on the frontlines, but for all people struggling with rising rates and rising waters.”
“DTE’s energy plan will not lower our energy bills, because it does not do enough to boost clean and efficient energy, and it too slowly transitions away from big, expensive fossil fuel plants,” said Nick Occhipinti, government affairs director for Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “With the threat of climate change looming, it’s time for DTE to turn its words into action and commit to clean energy and energy efficiency instead of building new fossil fuel plants. DTE can do better.”
"Air pollution from coal-fired power plants places a disproportionate burden on our most vulnerable citizens: children, seniors and those with serious health conditions,” said Kindra Weid, RN and coalition coordinator of MI Air MI Health. “While DTE plans to reduce some of its coal-powered fleet in the coming years, a significant amount of its energy will continue coming from dirty coal through 2040. We find this unacceptable and encouraged the Michigan Public Service Commission to reject DTE's IRP."
“DTE's long-term energy plan has faced months of input and opposition because it is a chance to redefine Michigan energy,” said Ariana Gonzalez, Senior Energy Policy Analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “We cannot waste this opportunity to ensure Michigan's energy future is clean, affordable and reliable.”
“Instead of protecting clean water, clean air and our communities, DTE chooses to invest in their pocketbooks by doubling down on expensive, polluting fossil fuels," said Theresa Landrum, Detroit resident and activist with Sierra Club. “We call on the Michigan Public Service Commission to reject DTE's polluting energy plan. Alternatively, we ask the MPSC to require them to design a plan that protects Michiganders and those living in the most heavily impacted communities by investing in cheaper and cleaner renewable energy sources, efficiency programs, and storage technology.”
“DTE has offered Michigan residents a false choice in its integrated resource plan by portraying clean energy as inherently in conflict with affordability and reliability,” said James Gignac, Lead Midwest Energy Analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “The purpose of the IRP process is to evaluate different alternatives, but DTE sidestepped that to the detriment of its customers, many of whom bear high energy burdens and face costly electricity bills. The Michigan Public Service Commission must ensure the company revises its plan to put cleaner, lower-cost energy sources at the forefront.”
“If DTE is allowed to move forward with this expensive, polluting plan, Michigan will continue to fall behind its neighbors like Minnesota,” said John Delurey, Midwest Director for Vote Solar. “At the end of the day, the costs of our continued dependence on fossil fuels — financial, health and otherwise — fall most heavily on Michigan's disadvantaged and low-income families. That’s not right. The MPSC has a duty to protect everyone from DTE’s reckless proposal.”
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December 15, 2019
November 6, 2019
Sierra Club endorsed candidates make gains in local races
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Media Contacts:
Christy McGillivray: 808-726-5325
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 recycling programs. Sierra Club is proud to support candidates that championed these issues.
Michael Fournier, the Sierra Club endorsed candidate for mayor of Royal Oak, sees his win as a mandate to push forward on sustainable development. Speaking with Sierra Club this morning Fournier said, “Environmental issues are top issues for our constituents in Royal Oak. We plan to be thoughtful leaders in proving that economic development and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive.”
The election results from last night show that candidate positions on environmental issues will also play a big role in the 2020 election. According to polling done this summer through the Yale project on climate communications, 65% of registered voters in Michigan are concerned about climate change, and 74% of voters are likely to support candidates who favor funding renewable 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 2020.
Sierra Club endorsed candidate Wendy Pate, the highest vote getter across all candidates in Trenton, sees environmental issues at the heart of her campaign issues, “I campaigned for community benefit in development. The International Wildlife Refuge and the Detroit River anchor our community, and we deserve clean sustainable development that will drive Trenton forward.”
For a full list of Sierra Club endorsed candidates visit
https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan/endorsed-candidates-2019
Media Contacts:
Christy McGillivray: 808-726-5325
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 recycling programs. Sierra Club is proud to support candidates that championed these issues.
Michael Fournier, the Sierra Club endorsed candidate for mayor of Royal Oak, sees his win as a mandate to push forward on sustainable development. Speaking with Sierra Club this morning Fournier said, “Environmental issues are top issues for our constituents in Royal Oak. We plan to be thoughtful leaders in proving that economic development and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive.”
The election results from last night show that candidate positions on environmental issues will also play a big role in the 2020 election. According to polling done this summer through the Yale project on climate communications, 65% of registered voters in Michigan are concerned about climate change, and 74% of voters are likely to support candidates who favor funding renewable 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 2020.
Sierra Club endorsed candidate Wendy Pate, the highest vote getter across all candidates in Trenton, sees environmental issues at the heart of her campaign issues, “I campaigned for community benefit in development. The International Wildlife Refuge and the Detroit River anchor our community, and we deserve clean sustainable development that will drive Trenton forward.”
For a full list of Sierra Club endorsed candidates visit
https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan/endorsed-candidates-2019
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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 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)
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