Environmental groups warn that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality could undermine its own ability to regulate emerging contaminants under a new rule package currently being considered.
The MDEQ is considering repealing a rule that allows the state to develop cleanup requirements for emerging contaminants, those are contaminants that the state does not already have standards for.
James Clift is with the Michigan Environmental Council.
“This is a catch-all rule to say ‘we’re not perfect we know there are a lot more chemicals out there than we are currently regulating let’s have a process for adding chemicals to this list.’ Basically, they are taking away that authority to add new chemicals to this list where they are setting clean-up standards.”
Clift said the DEQ used the quick response rule just a week ago to create a state standard for PFAs. He said without that rule everything would have to go through an administrative process that could take anywhere from one to five years.
“We know what is on the line is the public health of Michigan residents. Therefore we want a more streamlined process to review the best available science and move forward with protecting the public based on that science.”
The rule package is open for public comment through January 24, after which the DEQ will make a determination.
The MDEQ did not respond to our request for comment.