A new bill in the state house would require the assessment of cumulative air pollution in an area before the approval of air pollution permits.
The bill addresses regions of the state where there could be more than one source of air pollution.
While an individual company might not exceed the air pollution standards in a region, supporters of the legislation say the cumulative effect across multiple companies could exceed those standards.
Democratic State Representative Alex Garza introduced the measure.
“We know that if everyone is doing it those levels are probably much higher than the levels that are permitted by law.”
Garza said companies seeking a new permit or a permit renewal would have to pay for a pollution study.
“They would be required to do a cumulative pollution level and effects impact study and making sure that they were taking into consideration the cumulative pollution levels in that area.”
Garza said if the cumulative pollution levels rise above air quality standards, the state can either deny or place additional conditions on a permit.
He said the legislation is particularly important for the South Side of Detroit which has had some of the worst air pollution in the country.
Legislation in the Senate would create “Environmental Protection Communities” to receive more state funding for air pollution clean-up based on disproportionate exposures to air pollution. Garza said he’s in support of that legislation, which would be similarly helpful to the South Side of Detroit.
Garza said his bill isn’t partisan and he’s hopeful it will move quickly through the legislature.