INSIDER
Detroit community members win groundbreaking settlement against discriminatory licensing of hazardous waste facilities
Read full article: Detroit community members win groundbreaking settlement against discriminatory licensing of hazardous waste facilitiesAn agreement has been reached in a civil rights complaint filed by community members and environmental justice advocates against the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) regarding the department’s disproportionate licensing of hazardous waste facilities in predominantly black and brown, lower-income communities and its approval of an expansion of the U.S. Ecology North hazardous waste facility.
Republican AGs attack Biden's EPA for pursuing environmental discrimination cases
Read full article: Republican AGs attack Biden's EPA for pursuing environmental discrimination casesTwenty-three Republican attorneys general are attacking the Biden administration's stated goal of pursuing environmental justice.
Live stream: Status of safety, cleanup after Macomb County building explosion
Read full article: Live stream: Status of safety, cleanup after Macomb County building explosionOfficials are expected to provide an update on public safety and cleanup efforts after a Macomb County business caught fire, causing rounds of explosions that destroyed the building and killed a teen.
EPA wraps up cleanup efforts at Bear Creek in Warren after chemical spill
Read full article: EPA wraps up cleanup efforts at Bear Creek in Warren after chemical spillThe EPA has wrapped up cleanup efforts at Bear Creek in Warren after a chemical spill and handed over supervision to state authorities.
EPA proposes plan to clean up PCBs at 10 Mile Drain Superfund site in St. Clair Shores
Read full article: EPA proposes plan to clean up PCBs at 10 Mile Drain Superfund site in St. Clair ShoresThe EPA has proposed a plan to clean up pipes and vaults at the 10 Mile Drain Superfund site in St. Clair Shores.
Detroit’s air quality ranked as ‘unhealthy’ Saturday morning
Read full article: Detroit’s air quality ranked as ‘unhealthy’ Saturday morningAs of 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, the EPA’s AirNow website had Detroit listed as “unhealthy” with a PM2.5. The air quality is expected to improve to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” later in the day and reach “moderate” on Sunday.
Romulus site that received hazardous waste from Ohio train derailment had violations
Read full article: Romulus site that received hazardous waste from Ohio train derailment had violationsAs outrage grows over hazardous waste from an Ohio train derailment brought into Michigan, Local 4 is learning more about the history of the sites where the waste was brought.
Officials want answers to why toxic waste from Ohio train derailment was sent to Michigan
Read full article: Officials want answers to why toxic waste from Ohio train derailment was sent to MichiganCounty and Metro Detroit officials blast the EPA’s decision to send the waste from that toxic train derailment in Ohio to Michigan.
Community divided over development of new water storage facility in Oakland Township
Read full article: Community divided over development of new water storage facility in Oakland TownshipOakland Township requires a new EPA-mandated 45-foot high water storage facility. It is something everybody agrees on, but its placement of it is not.
EPA loses key ruling as Flint residents pursue water claims
Read full article: EPA loses key ruling as Flint residents pursue water claimsThe Environmental Protection Agency can't appeal a key ruling in a long-running lawsuit claiming negligence by the federal government in Flint’s lead-contaminated water.
How to to apply for water lead-filtration system, find lead testing resources in Michigan
Read full article: How to to apply for water lead-filtration system, find lead testing resources in MichiganTo help, Brita Water Care for Daycares will deliver Brita lead-filtering systems to up to 1,500 daycares across the country for free.
EGLE: Fuel oil leaked into Huron River in Flat Rock
Read full article: EGLE: Fuel oil leaked into Huron River in Flat RockThere has been a mystery for the residents living close to Huron River for weeks. But now we’re finally getting some answers to the questions that we have and who exactly may be responsible to begin with. The substance that leaked in the Huron river has now been identified as fuel oil. A nearby metal company is currently working with the EPA and EGLE to handle the clean-up process.
California won't immediately change pollution credit program
Read full article: California won't immediately change pollution credit programNewsom administration officials say they are in no rush to make changes to one of California's key climate change programs despite concerns it won't be able to meet its emissions reduction goals.
Michigan officials address odor coming from Stellantis Mack Assembly Plant in Detroit
Read full article: Michigan officials address odor coming from Stellantis Mack Assembly Plant in DetroitIn a virtual meeting Thursday (Jan 27), EGLE announced Stellantis has a 3-part plan to fix four odor violations and one for improper ductwork at the Mack Assembly Plant. Part of the presentation featured a toxicologist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services who reviewed air samples.
Michigan officials address odor coming from Stellantis Mack Assembly Plant in Detroit
Read full article: Michigan officials address odor coming from Stellantis Mack Assembly Plant in DetroitIn a virtual meeting Thursday (Jan 27), EGLE announced Stellantis has a 3-part plan to fix four odor violations and one for improper ductwork at the Mack Assembly Plant. Part of the presentation featured a toxicologist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services who reviewed air samples.
EPA looks to tighten rules for lead in drinking water while president works to replace pipelines
Read full article: EPA looks to tighten rules for lead in drinking water while president works to replace pipelinesThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is looking to tighten rules for allowable levels of lead in drinking water while the Biden Administration is looking to replace the country’s lead lines using new funds.
EPA to begin testing water at 300 Benton Harbor homes
Read full article: EPA to begin testing water at 300 Benton Harbor homesOfficials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will soon start testing the water in 300 homes in Benton Harbor to check the certified filters given area residents by the state to remove lead from the drinking water.
Testing confirms Zone 2 in Flat Rock cleared, residents who evacuated due to gas leak can return home
Read full article: Testing confirms Zone 2 in Flat Rock cleared, residents who evacuated due to gas leak can return homeMichigan and Wayne County officials announced Zone 2 in Flat Rock is now clear of any impact from the gas leak at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant.
Officials say sanitary systems in Flat Rock cleared of gasoline after leak triggers evacuations
Read full article: Officials say sanitary systems in Flat Rock cleared of gasoline after leak triggers evacuationsOfficials said screenings of sanitary sewers in Flat Rock show that gasoline has been cleared and the sewer system is considered back to normal operating conditions.
National Guard helps with air quality testing inside Flat Rock homes after gas leak triggers voluntary evacuations
Read full article: National Guard helps with air quality testing inside Flat Rock homes after gas leak triggers voluntary evacuationsA gas leak from the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant triggered voluntary evacuations of the area and officials have been testing levels of gas in sewers and homes.
Crews continue to test air quality after gas leak in Flat Rock prompts evacuations
Read full article: Crews continue to test air quality after gas leak in Flat Rock prompts evacuationsWhile the leak from the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant has been stopped, the situation is still raising concerns regarding the environmental and health impact to the area.
Northville landfill ordered to pay $750,000 in settlement over reported Clean Air Act violations
Read full article: Northville landfill ordered to pay $750,000 in settlement over reported Clean Air Act violationsArbor Hills Energy will pay a civil penalty of $750,000 to the state of Michigan and the United States.
Emissions facility at Salem Township landfill ordered to pay $750,000 in settlement over reported Clean Air Act violations
Read full article: Emissions facility at Salem Township landfill ordered to pay $750,000 in settlement over reported Clean Air Act violationsArbor Hills Energy will pay a civil penalty of $750,000 to the state of Michigan and the United States.
Landfill gas to energy facility in Salem Township ordered to pay $750,000 in settlement over reported Clean Air Act violations
Read full article: Landfill gas to energy facility in Salem Township ordered to pay $750,000 in settlement over reported Clean Air Act violationsArbor Hills Energy will pay a civil penalty of $750,000 to the state of Michigan and the United States.
Ford addresses Flat Rock chemical leak in virtual town hall
Read full article: Ford addresses Flat Rock chemical leak in virtual town hallFor the second night in a row, Flat rock Residents were invited to a town hall meeting to discuss how the city is moving forward since a dangerous benzene chemical leak was discovered days ago.
Flat Rock residents demand answers for chemical leak at city council meeting
Read full article: Flat Rock residents demand answers for chemical leak at city council meetingAfter the flammable and cancer-causing chemical, benzene, was found in the in the sewer system, many Flat Rock residents are voicing their opinions about now having to be displaced because of the recommended evacuation.
‘Is it safe?’ -- Area of concern grows in Flat Rock after hazardous chemical found in sewer system
Read full article: ‘Is it safe?’ -- Area of concern grows in Flat Rock after hazardous chemical found in sewer systemOfficials said the city plans to use firefighting form to suppress the vapors found within the sanitary system. The industrial facility has taken measures, including inserting plugs into the onsite sewer system to prevent it from entering the system at a location north of Gibraltar Road at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant property.
State of emergency in Flat Rock: Odor prompts search for hazardous material in sewer
Read full article: State of emergency in Flat Rock: Odor prompts search for hazardous material in sewerFederal and state hazardous materials teams from Downriver and western Wayne County went street-by-street and door-to-door Thursday in Flat Rock’s southeast neighborhoods.
Head of EPA visits Detroit wastewater plant, talks infrastructure solutions
Read full article: Head of EPA visits Detroit wastewater plant, talks infrastructure solutionsEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan made a visit to Detroit on Thursday to discuss a federal investment proposal in water infrastructure.
Edmunds puts Tesla's range to the test
Read full article: Edmunds puts Tesla's range to the testThis undated photo by Edmunds shows five electric vehicles at a test track in the Mojave Desert, in California, undergoing testing for maximum range. A CHALLENGE FROM TESLAThe lackluster results prompted the automaker to reach out to the Edmunds test team. Once each vehicle’s range estimate indicated zero miles, we measured how far it could go before coming to a complete stop. AdEDMUNDS SAYS: Edmunds’ EV range test isn’t meant to be the definitive word on a vehicle’s range but rather a real-world complement to the laboratory-based EPA testing. We’ll continue to test to an indicated zero because we’d never advise customers to rely on the unpredictable buffer range.
Eastbound I-696 ramp to Couzens closing Monday for toxic green ooze cleanup
Read full article: Eastbound I-696 ramp to Couzens closing Monday for toxic green ooze cleanupMADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – The eastbound I-696 ramp to Couzens Avenue in Madison Heights will close at 9 a.m. Monday for the final stages of the cleanup of the toxic green ooze. In December, 2019, hexavalent chromium was found leaking onto I-696. Since then, workers with the EPA and ELGE have been cleaning the site. Authorities said the ramp closure will allow for the removal of concrete to fully clean and remove the known-carcinogen. Madison Heights officials said EGLE and EPA conducted an extensive investigation, installed a treatment system and collected more than 350,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater to be treated.
EPA hands over control of toxic ooze site in Madison Heights to state regulators
Read full article: EPA hands over control of toxic ooze site in Madison Heights to state regulatorsMADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – It started with a leak onto Interstate 696 in Madison Heights where green ooze caught the attention of people driving by. Now, more than a year after first descending on the site, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is ready to release the project to the state. All of out analytical is where we want it to be,” said Tricia Edwards with the EPA. Gary Sayers, the owner of the Madison Heights building and property in Detroit, served time in prison related to the matter. Sayers wasn’t interested in talking in November, but has been keeping up his legal fight, still working to stop the demolition of the site.
Major progress made cleaning up toxic green ooze site in Madison Heights
Read full article: Major progress made cleaning up toxic green ooze site in Madison HeightsMADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – Enough progress has been made in cleaning up the toxic green ooze site in Madison Heights that the federal government has handed control back over to Michigan officials. The work has never stopped at the green ooze site -- even during the pandemic. Madison Heights officials said EGLE and EPA conducted an extensive investigation, installed a treatment system and collected more than 350,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater to be treated. Gary Sayers, the owner of the building at the center of the Madison Heights toxic ooze case, hasn’t been seen much since November. A virtual town hall meeting with Madison Heights officials, the EPA and EGLE will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. More information can be found here.
Michigan officials remind schools, businesses to only use EPA-approved disinfectants
Read full article: Michigan officials remind schools, businesses to only use EPA-approved disinfectantsLANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials want to remind schools and businesses to only use EPA-approved disinfectants. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said that the products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) criteria for use against the virus that cause coronavirus (COVID-19) are listed here. “Disinfecting is a critical step in preventing and reducing the spread of viruses, bacteria, including SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19,” said Brian Verhougstraete, MDARD’s Pesticide Section Manager. “Always remember that you are required by state and federal law to follow the label when using disinfectants. This includes safe use of the disinfectant, the types of approved surfaces an adhering to the contact time, which is the amount of time the surface should be visibly wet.”MDARD reminds school districts to:Use EPA-registered disinfectants and follow all label directionsDo not use disinfectant as hand wipes or in place of sanitizersKeep out of reach of students, children should not use disinfectantsAvoid touching wet surfaces and always wash hands after useKeep the surface wet for the required contact timeKeep lids tightly closed and out of reach from children when not in useREAD: More COVID-19 coverage
Why we have water flow regulations for showerheads
Read full article: Why we have water flow regulations for showerheadsSomehow, amid the myriad of important issues and crisis in the world, were talking about showerheads and water pressure. While speaking at the White House in July, Trump said:So showerheads you take a shower, the water doesnt come out. Since first enacted in 1992, federal law has dictated that new showerheads shouldnt pour more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Since these water savings will reduce demands on water heaters, they will also save energy. Some of the new low flow heads are rated at even lower flow rates, such as 1.8 or 1.5 gpm, saving significantly more water.
Fiat Chrysler to recall vehicles that may pollute too much
Read full article: Fiat Chrysler to recall vehicles that may pollute too muchDETROIT About 1 million Fiat Chrysler vehicles with four-cylinder engines in the U.S. may spew too much pollution, and the company is working with government officials on a recall. Fiat Chrysler says in a quarterly filing with securities regulators that it found the excess pollution during internal testing of vehicles with 2.4-liter Tigershark engines. As this population ages, some vehicles exceed in-use emission requirements, depending on drive cycle and mileage, Fiat Chrysler said in a statement. The issue is not connected with any other emissions problem and the EPA does not plan any enforcement action against the company, Fiat Chrysler spokesman Eric Mayne said. Fiat Chrysler maintained that it didnt deliberately scheme to cheat emissions tests and the company didnt admit wrongdoing.
Soak it up: Great Lakes surface temps are really, really warm
Read full article: Soak it up: Great Lakes surface temps are really, really warmSurface temps on the Great Lakes have warmed to above average following a week-long stretch of hot, hot weather around Michigan. Surface temps on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario range between 75 and 85 degrees, according to measurements by Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Great Lakes surface temps. Great Lakes surface temp data 1995-2015. (EPA)Related: Health officials: Avoid foam on Michigan lakes, rivers with PFAS contamination
Cleanup plan announced for site of toxic green ooze in Madison Heights
Read full article: Cleanup plan announced for site of toxic green ooze in Madison HeightsMADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. Its been nearly seven months since toxic green ooze started leaking along I-696 in Oakland County. The ooze was later linked to the Electroplating Services building along 10 Mile Road. Work is being done to make sure the source of the green ooze is cleaned up permanently. The goal of injection treatment to address the groundwater contamination as it migrates from the Electroplating Services building. Legal proceedings are currently underway to authorize demolition and removal of the Electroplating Services building.
EPA asked to investigate Sept. 2019 chemical release from Marathon refinery
Read full article: EPA asked to investigate Sept. 2019 chemical release from Marathon refineryThe EPA was asked to investigate a Sept. 2019 chemical release from a Marathon refinery. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.
Study: Chipotle bowls contain cancer-linked chemicals
Read full article: Study: Chipotle bowls contain cancer-linked chemicalsJoe Raedle/Getty Images(CNN) - The bowls at Chipotle have become a staple for the restaurant, but a new report is drawing some big concerns about them. The New Food Economy says it found the fiber bowls are exposed to chemicals that can lead to cancer. The study says the bowls are treated with "PFAS," also called forever chemicals. It helps bowls hold hot, wet, and greasy food. The chemicals also seep into the soil as the bowls break down, leading to toxic compost.