Environment
Public comment reopened on Romulus facility that accepted waste from Ohio train derailment
After receiving toxic debris last month from an Ohio train derailment, the public comment period for a license renewal request by the operators of a hazardous waste facility in Romulus will be reopened. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) this month announced the extended public comment period, which was confirmed by the Michigan Department of […]
Energy, clean water and pollution top list of environmental priorities for House Dems
Michigan House Majority Leader Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) on Friday outlined House Democrats’ environmental priorities for this term, pledging action on energy policy and highlighting issues like pollution in vulnerable communities. Strengthening polluter pay laws, addressing aging infrastructure, and examining waste policies and environmental impacts are key issues, Aiyash said in a webinar hosted by Conan […]
The nation’s biggest electric capacity market needs fixing, critics say
The nation’s largest grid operator is warning that it might not have enough electric generation in the future to guarantee reliability. And it comes as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission convenes a forum on the multibillion-dollar capacity market PJM operates to ensure there’s enough power to meet demand even during grid emergencies, such as during […]
Army Corps extends enviro review for Enbridge tunnel project, angering both sides of Line 5 debate
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced Thursday that it is delaying a key step in its review process of the proposed Line 5 oil pipeline replacement project, drawing complaints both from pipeline owner Enbridge and opponents of the project. The draft environmental impact statement (EIS) from USACE previously had a planned publishing timeframe […]
Native American agricultural leaders detail farm bill priorities at U.S. Senate hearing
WASHINGTON — A roundtable of Native American agricultural leaders at a recent U.S. Senate hearing lobbied for increased sovereignty and social justice in the coming farm bill by expanding tribes’ jurisdiction over U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. It’s called “638” authority and refers to Public Law 93-638, which gives tribes the power to manage certain federal […]
Stop dumping toxic train-derailment waste in metro Detroit, lawsuit says
A Wayne County man is suing Norfolk Southern Corp. for exposing communities to “potential significant harm” when it transported and disposed hazardous waste from the Ohio train derailment to Wayne County facilities last month. The lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court alleges the company endangered the community by not properly monitoring the toxic waste before […]
Michiganders who endured power outages demand justice during public meetings
Michiganders used words and phrases like “frightening,” “service is garbage,” and “horrible,” when describing their challenges without power for hours — and in many cases, days — during a set of public hearings. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MSPC) on Tuesday concluded the third of three public meetings designed to hear from those impacted by […]
Priorities for rail safety bill debated in U.S. Senate hearing with Norfolk Southern CEO
Members of a U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday previewed what they would push for in bipartisan rail safety legislation likely to progress through Congress in the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment. Democrats and Republicans on the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hinted they wanted to strengthen requirements about reporting hazardous cargo, […]
Biden officially designates new monuments in Nevada and Texas at conservation summit
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden stressed that his administration’s efforts to conserve the nation’s land and waters are an expression of fundamental American values at the White House Conservation In Action summit Tuesday afternoon. Biden also announced the designation of two new national monuments in his address, Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in southern Nevada, and the […]
U.S. Senate leader calls for safety audit into all major railroads after Ohio derailment
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Wednesday for the federal authority responsible for determining the causes of transportation casualties to investigate the safety culture at all major North American freight railroads. Following the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment that caused a toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio, Schumer, a New York Democrat, said […]
Pentagon to halt use of firefighting foam that contains PFAS as cleanup costs mount
WASHINGTON — Battered by years of criticism from U.S. lawmakers and environmental advocates, the Department of Defense will stop purchasing PFAS-containing firefighting foam later this year and phase it out entirely in 2024. The replacement for Aqueous Film Forming Foam has yet to be determined, and advocates are frustrated it’s taken so long to halt […]
At House hearing, DTE and Consumers Energy urged to address ‘unacceptable’ electrical reliability
After a severe ice storm in late February left hundreds of thousands of households without power for days, a Michigan House panel Wednesday held a hearing to discuss repeated issues with major utilities. Members of the House Energy, Communications and Technology committee heard testimony from DTE, Consumers Energy and the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), […]