For immediate release
Date: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Contact: Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
Rouge River Oil Spill Yet Another Example for Passing Polluter Pay Legislation in Lansing
Lansing, MI – Last Friday, motor oil and kerosene spilled into the Rouge River near a demolition site on the former Northville Downs property. Reports state that residents warned of the potential presence of hazardous materials.
The Rouge River is already designated as an Area of Concern due to a legacy of industrial contamination. Recent cleanup efforts are making an important difference in the restoration of the river. Protecting these gains are even more reason why due diligence and care must be taken to prevent future oil spills and toxic releases into the water.
Polluter Pay legislation in Lansing would set robust requirements for environmental cleanups, enhance transparency into cleanup sites, prevent new orphan sites from being created, and empower those impacted by pollution to pursue justice. The bill numbers are House Bills 5241-5247 and Senate Bills 605-611.
Elayne Coleman, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director:
“Michigan water belongs to all of us, and the best way to ensure that Michiganders are able to enjoy our natural resources is to ensure that responsible parties for pollution are obligated to clean it up and remediate their contamination. The Polluters Pay legislation in Lansing is a step in the right direction for cleaner water in Michigan.”
###