LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today renewed its call for lawmakers to reject Senate Bills 652 and 653 – coined the “Fox Guarding the Hen House” Acts. The proposed legislation would give polluters and special interests decision-making authority over the Department of Environmental Quality. The bills have been given a hearing before the House Competitiveness Committee today and, if the Committee approves them, they will go to the full House of Representatives for a vote. Michigan LCV has been engaged in an ongoing effort to oppose this legislation since its introduction.
From the Upper Peninsula to Dearborn, thousands of Michiganders have voiced opposition to giving big polluters authority over the DEQ, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should listen to Michigan citizens and abandon this misguided legislation,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “As we saw in Flint, a weakened DEQ can lead to disaster, and if this legislation goes forward, the health of Michigan families will be put at risk.”
At a time when drinking water across the state is contaminated with toxic PFAS and 64-year-old Line 5 continues to pump millions of gallons of oil underneath the Straits of Mackinac each day, we need a robust, independent DEQ, not one beholden to corporations,” added Wozniak.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Contact: Katie Parrish, [email protected], (239) 537-9507