What if decisions about pollution levels in our communities were made by polluters themselves?
UPDATE [5/23/2018]: The “Fox Guarding the Henhouse” bills passed through the Michigan House of Representatives. The House made some changes, which means the bills return to the Senate for final approval before heading to the Governor’s desk.
This nightmare scenario could become Michigan’s reality if our state lawmakers pass the “Fox Guarding the Henhouse Acts” (Senate Bills 652–653) — send a quick message now to urge your state representative to oppose this reckless plan!
Imagine this:
In Industria, a medium-sized Detroit suburb with a proud blue-collar manufacturing history, locals are used to more than their fair share of pollution.
Local kids have struggled with record-high rates of asthma for decades, but pollution keeps getting pumped into the air the community breathes every day. All in all, not a place you can breathe easy.
One of Industria’s biggest polluters, TockSik Incorporated is asking the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to double its emissions of sulfur dioxide — a pollutant that is known to damage air and water quality. Community members come out in droves to oppose the proposal, but it ultimately falls on deaf ears and the request is approved.
Even though it was clear that emissions would seriously degrade air quality and put local children at risk — thanks to the Fox Guarding the Henhouse Acts — the decision was not made by DEQ scientists or public health experts.
Instead, a panel stacked with allies from other polluting companies got to make the final call.
When your paycheck depends on pumping pollution into someone else’s community, it’s a surprisingly easy choice.
As a result, TockSik Inc. doubles its emissions without doing anything to protect the health of the surrounding community, and local families suffer the consequences with asthma attacks, sick days, and chronic lung diseases across age groups and neighborhoods.
That is why we are fighting to make sure the “The Fox Guarding the Henhouse Acts” (SB 652–4) do not become law.
So what’s the game plan — what’s happened so far?
Needless to say, Michigan LCV and our allies were focused on getting in front of this ugly and detrimental bill package. We’ve been making noise in the media, online and in the halls of Lansing — thousands of Michiganders from all corners of the state made their voices heard.
The bills passed along party lines on the floor of the Senate (sigh). Next stop? The House of Representatives and we fully intend to keep up the pressure at every step of the way in the House.
Our team has been hard at work educating key State House members about the bills and keeping our allies informed about what is going on.
Please join us in urging your State Representative to oppose these dangerous bills. >>
Stay-tuned for more opportunities to make a difference on this and other important environmental issues facing Michigan!
