Michigan LCV applauds AG’s withdrawal from federal lawsuits challenging clean air protections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019

Contact: Katie Parrish, Communications Director, (239) 537-9507

Michigan LCV applauds AG’s withdrawal from federal lawsuits challenging clean air protections

LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today applauded Attorney General Dana Nessel for taking steps towithdraw Michigan from two federal lawsuits challenging federal clean air protections, including the Clean Power Plan and parts of the Mercury and Air Toxins Standards. Michigan joined these lawsuits under former Attorney General Bill Schuette.

“Michigan never had any business joining coal companies in suing the federal government over policies that protect our air and water from dangerous pollution,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Attorney General Nessel’s decision sends a clear and timely message: It’s time for state leaders to take action on climate change and protect our air, land and water from toxic pollution generated by dirty coal-fired power plants. We applaud Attorney General Nessel for withdrawing our state from lawsuits that are completely contrary to our Pure Michigan way of life.”

The Clean Power Plan was proposed to limit carbon emissions from power plants to combat climate change and reduce pollution. Implementation of the Clean Power Plan was postponed in 2016 due to legal challenges, and the Trump Administration proposed repealing the Clean Power Plan altogether in 2017. The second lawsuit took aim at parts of the Mercury and Air Toxins Standards and was filed by giant coal company Murray Energy Corporation, which challenged the necessity of regulating hazardous air pollutants from coal and oil burning power plants.

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