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EGLE cites Stellantis Jeep plant over air pollution

A new EPA rule will make it more difficult for the regulators to use some scientific studies about the connection between pollution and health.
A new EPA rule will make it more difficult for the regulators to use some scientific studies about the connection between pollution and health.

State environmental regulators have issued another air quality violation to an eastside Detroit auto plant.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy cited the new Stellantis Jeep Plant for failing to prevent the release of potentially hazardous volatile organic compounds or V.O.C’s.

Eden Kasmala is with the activist group Detroit People’s Party. He says promises made by the automaker and the City are being broken.

“When this plant was presented to residents in the community benefits process, it was presented to us as the greenest and it would be one of the greenest plants in North America. Right and the emissions were going to be low. And I'll be frank, they made me feel like I was crazy for being concerned about what was happening in our backyard.”

This is the second time in as many months that the plant has been hit with a violation. In September, nearby residents complained, and EGLE agreed that the plant was emitting a strong paint smell.

Stellantis now has three weeks to fix the problem.