A new package of bills would give private sector groups final authority on approval of rules made by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
The bills would set up three review panels staffed with governor-appointed members overseeing MDEQ permitting and rules.
Republican Senator Tom Casperson sponsored the bills. He said MDEQ rules have been too restrictive because they aren’t tempered by industry insight.
“There has been a pattern of if I don’t have any skin in the game I don’t care what the rule costs, we’re just going to impose it. We’re trying to find the middle spot here that if we put some balance into this thing, we think it’s been out of balance for awhile.”
Environmental groups, however, contend that giving veto power on regulations over to the industry groups meant to be regulated isn’t a good idea.
James Clift is with the Michigan Environmental Council, which opposes the bills. He said having industry input isn’t a bad thing on its own.
“We can see having proper input from the regulated community but this whole thing of giving them final authority is a step too far.”
Clift points out that review panel members would have greater protections than department directors of the MDEQ - the Governor would not be permitted to dismiss them without cause.
The bills also give private sector groups a means for reviewing denied permits if they feel they were wrongfully denied.
The bills currently await a vote on the Senate floor.