Conservation leaders provide 100 day review of Gov. Whitmer’s environmental progress

LANSING – The Michigan Environmental Council and Michigan League of Conservation Voters today reviewed Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s progress on key environmental and public health policies during her first 100 days in office during a tele-press conference with environmental advocates and business leaders. Gov. Whitmer’s progress was compared to priorities laid out in the 2019-2022 Environmental Roadmap released in January.

“The Whitmer administration has done a great job so far listening to the environmental community’s concerns and getting things done,” said Brad Garmon, interim CEO of the Michigan Environmental Council. “We look forward to continuing to partner with the administration to achieve needed greenhouse gas emission reductions and fight climate change. One way we can do that is by boosting our use of electric vehicles to reduce emissions in the transportation sector.”

During the tele-news conference, Michigan Environmental Council highlighted Gov. Whitmer’s progress toward addressing climate change, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters focused on the progress Gov. Whitmer has made on cleaning up drinking water.

“In the wake of the Flint water crisis, and now with toxic PFAS chemicals being discovered in the drinking water of communities across Michigan, safe, clean drinking water continues to be a top-of-mind issue for Michiganders,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Ensuring all Michiganders have clean water is not a partisan issue.  Gov. Whitmer has made cleaning up our drinking water a top priority through executive actions and in her budget, and we urge lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to work with her to protect the health of Michigan communities.”

Environmental justice advocate Jeremy Orr also detailed progress Gov. Whitmer has made toward promoting equity in environmental decision-making. Key steps on this front include the creation of the Clean Water and Environmental Justice Public Advocates and the Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team.

“Everyone, regardless of their race, color, national origin, or income should have a seat at the table when making important environmental and public health decisions,” said Orr, state chair of environmental & climate justice, Michigan State Conference NAACP. “We call on Gov. Whitmer to continue making environmental justice a priority and ensure impacted communities are included in the regulatory and rulemaking process.”

The full Environmental Report card can be accessed here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 11, 2019

Media Contacts:

Nicole Pomish, Michigan Environmental Council, (248) 762-1570

Nick Dodge, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, (517) 333-1606