Lawsuit Filed Against EPA to Address Year-Round Haze Pollution in Michigan

Strategic Insights -

Just days after Detroit experienced the second worst air quality in the world due to wildfire haze, a coalition of organizations is suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address another kind of traveling haze that has roots in climate change and pollutes skies year-round. The Sierra Club, Environmental Integrity Project, and National Parks Conservation Association have filed a lawsuit against EPA for failing to act on Regional Haze Rule plans from Michigan and seven other states. They aim to compel EPA to decide if the plan submitted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) complies with the Clean Air Act. The lawsuit argues that the EGLE plan is inadequate and that EPA should reject it and then bring the state into compliance by limiting emissions from DTE's Monroe coal plant, as well as other coal and industrial polluters.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit was filed by the Sierra Club, Environmental Integrity Project, and National Parks Conservation Association against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to act on Regional Haze Rule plans from Michigan and seven other states.
  • The coalition is seeking to compel EPA to decide if the plan submitted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) complies with the Clean Air Act.
  • The lawsuit argues that the EGLE plan is inadequate and that EPA should reject it and then bring the state into compliance by limiting emissions from DTE's Monroe coal plant, as well as other coal and industrial polluters.
  • Regional haze is caused by sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate pollution that travels across a region and dirties skies year-round.
  • The four biggest Michigan sources of haze pollution include the Belle River, Monroe, and J.H. Campbell coal-burning power plants, as well as the Tilden Mine's iron-ore kilns.
  • Household air pollution from coal-fired power plants and industrial processes harms respiratory systems and can cause a range of other health problems.
  • Federal lands in neighboring states are also impacted by haze from Michigan coal and industrial emissions, including Acadia National Park in Maine, Great Gulf Wilderness Area in New Hampshire, and Lye Brook Wilderness in Vermont.
  • The plan from EGLE would do nothing to decrease haze, and the agency has taken no action by the statutory deadline, leaving national parks unprotected from pollution and harming the health of people in marginalized communities near polluting facilities.

Statistics:

  • 55% reduced visibility of scenic vistas in Michigan's national parks and wildlife refuges due to haze pollution.
  • The Belle River, Monroe, and J.H. Campbell coal-burning power plants, as well as the Tilden Mine's iron-ore kilns, are the four biggest Michigan sources of haze pollution.
  • Emissions from DTE's Monroe coal plant, as well as other coal and industrial polluters, significantly hurt community health in Michigan.
  • The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and the complaint can be found here.

Sources:

  • Sierra Club
  • Environmental Integrity Project
  • National Parks Conservation Association
  • Earthjustice
  • Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • U.S. Clean Air Act