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Enviro-Mich Readers:
For those who cannot attend the hearing in Hamtramck, it might be helpful to send a quick email note directly to Steve Chester expressing your concerns as outlined by Rob Cedar in his message below. Director Chester’s email address at the MDEQ is chesters@michigan.gov
Ask that your comments be made part of the permanent hearing record.
“Carbon” copy your state legislators (email addresses available for all of them at www.michigan.gov) and H.E.A.T. (RobC313@aol.com).
Under the air pollution control section of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (P.A. 451 of 1994, as amended—Part 55) the MDEQ can deny new permits or revoke existing permits for cause such as repeated violations or a bad compliance history. The water pollution portions of the act contain similar provisions as do the applicable federal regulatory laws.
Excerpt from Part 55 follows:
MCL 324.5503 Powers of department. Sec. 5503. The department may do 1 or more of the following: (a) Promulgate rules to establish standards for ambient air quality and for emissions. (b) Issue permits for the construction and operation of sources, processes, and process equipment, subject to enforceable emission limitations and standards and other conditions reasonably necessary to assure compliance with all applicable requirements of this part, rules promulgated under this part, and the clean air act. (c) In accordance with this part and rules promulgated under this part, deny, terminate, modify, or revoke and reissue permits for cause……<emphasis added> <snip>
Best of luck,
TOM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thomas K. Rohrer, Director Environmental Studies Program 318 Brooks Hall Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant MI 48859 U. S. A.
Ph. (989) 774-4409 email = tom.rohrer@cmich.edu
CMU Environmental Studies Program information is available at:
http://www.cst.cmich.edu/units/env/
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world: indeed it is the only thing that ever has! -- Margaret Meade ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -----Original Message-----
Hello all environmentalist, clean air activists, educators, students and even State employees.
If ever there was an opportunity for the "new Steve Chester MDEQ" to show the people and corporations of Michigan that they will not tolerate repeated violations and bad management at a pollution source the Hamtramck Incinerator issue is that opportunity.
With dozens of violations (still unresolved in court action) Michigan Waste Services has applied for a new permit that would allow the old failed medical waste incinerator to burn pathological, chemotherapy and pharmaceutical waste under weaker standards than the old incinerator permit and consent order. In addition to emission violations for a number of toxins the company has been violated for failure to maintain equipment, failure to keep records and failure to educate its customers on mercury abatement. This is a company that has flaunted MDEQ authority and shown a flagrant disregard to earlier and current permits.
The law allows the MDEQ to deny a permit for cause such as repeated violations or a bad compliance history and the ONLY appropriate action is to deny this permit. Anything less should be viewed as coddling the polluter.
If you want to be part of this historic decision please attend the Dec 2 Public Hearing in Hamtramck. It's at 7 PM in the High School Recreation Center Gym, 11350 Charest, Hamtramck 48212
Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (P.A. 451 of 1994, as amended-Part 55) MCL 324.5503 Powers of department. Sec. 5503.
The law is clear and so should be the air we breath.
Rob Cedar Director -HEAT- Hamtramck Environmental Action Team President pro tem Hamtramck City Council Home/office (313) 871- 9002
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