18 MiMfg Magazine March 2021
Preventing Costly Air Quality Remediation
What Manufacturers Need to Know : Ten Michigan counties are in danger of being designated for “ moderate ” nonattainment of federal ozone regulations — something that could impose costly emission control requirements for manufacturers across the state . MMA is directing a strategy to block this action .
MMA is doing everything it can to help mitigate issues surrounding air quality standards in ten counties located in southeast and southwest Michigan . The issue : air emissions are blowing in from Canada and negatively impacting the ambient air quality standards for the ozone as outlined in the federal Clean Air Act . Failing to meet the air quality standard threshold means getting bumped into a new category from “ marginal ” to “ moderate ” nonattainment for ozone . This will result in additional new and expensive emission control requirements imposed in those areas with some imposed statewide , not just in the nonattainment counties .
Our state must protect the environment and its economic competitiveness when moving forward with any new rules or regulations because these are not mutually exclusive goals . Recognizing this , MMA always works to be part of the solution to our state ’ s complex challenges and advocates on behalf of industry members around the state .
— Tanisha Sanders Government Affairs & Communications Waste Management
To combat this issue , MMA is working with the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) and the Michigan Department of Environment , Great Lakes and Energy ( EGLE ) in coordinating a study to determine ozone emissions entering Michigan across international borders and potentially avoid tightened emissions regulations . The Canadian Government , National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ), U . S . Forest Service , University of Michigan and University of Colorado have contributed additional funding and in-kind services in support of the study . The goal is to demonstrate that emissions occurring in the affected counties are due to international transport of air pollution from Canada in hopes that the counties would qualify for the federal international transport exemption .
Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Fuel
What Manufacturers Need to Know : Line 5 is Michigan ’ s energy lifeline and MMA is fighting to defend it .
The Line 5 pipeline has been powering Michigan since 1953 . It ’ s twin 20-inch parallel pipelines run under the Straits of Mackinac for 4.5 miles , supplying light synthetic crude and natural gas liquids , including 65 percent of the propane demand in the Upper Peninsula and 55 percent of Michigan ’ s statewide propane needs .
Burying the pipeline in a high-tech tunnel 100 feet below the Straits of Mackinac will further safeguard our Great Lakes ecosystem while delivering the fuel that keeps homes warm and Michigan ’ s economy moving . But there have been fierce attacks aiming to shut Line 5 down . MMA is fighting to keep Line 5 open and to ensure forward progress with building the tunnel that will ensure that manufacturers can access and afford the fuel they need .
Let ’ s Get to Work
The MMA Government Affairs team is excited to get started on advancing the new agenda by engaging and strategizing with members and policymakers in Lansing . And more importantly , they are excited to be part of the journey to rebuild and redirect the state as we all recover from a global pandemic . Check out 2021- 22 Legislative Agenda in its entirety at mimfg . org . 6
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