New legislation stands up to polluters, protects our air and water

LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today announced its support for a legislative package aimed at preventing air pollution. The legislation is focused on improving public health by increasing protections, curbing emissions and holding corporate polluters accountable.

“Every community in our state should have clean air to breathe and safe, affordable water to drink, and this legislation would establish much-needed protections to hold big polluters accountable,” said Bob Allison, deputy director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “It’s time to put citizens first – those directly impacted by the dangerous pollution spreading sickness and contributing to climate change.”

At a press conference Wednesday, Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit) – joined by Reps. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) and Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) – said metro Detroit ranks 12th in the nation for the most year-round particle pollution. There is a long history of big corporations isolating their polluting facilities in poor neighborhoods and communities of color.

“Everything we are burning into our air is then coming down into our Great Lakes and other waterways – the sources of drinking water for millions,” Allison said. “Families in communities like southwest Detroit and other urban centers are being polluted by big corporations, endangering their health and the future of our state’s economic well-being – and we need to stop it. Every Michigander deserves clean air and water, no matter where they live.”

###

Media Contact: Nick Dodge, [email protected], (616) 796-4912