January 2020
MiMfg Magazine
Environmental Regulations Threaten
Michigan’s Manufacturers
Two significant regulatory issues are developing
which could threaten Michigan’s manufacturing
competitiveness and its ability to continue to grow
new jobs and retain the state’s existing 628,600
manufacturing jobs.
The first new threat is caused by the international
transport of air pollutants into Michigan which
automatically trigger increased regulatory burdens
on manufacturers. Despite continued reductions in
emissions from in-state manufacturers, new and
significant cost burdens could be imposed.
The second barrier to competitiveness involves
Michigan’s race to set the lowest standards for
PFAS and related compounds. The state is moving
hastily forward, without fully accounting for the
costs of the new regulatory burdens and stretching
the bounds of settled science.
International Sources of Air Pollutants
MMA is leading the charge to block increased
and ineffective regulations that will result in little or
no benefit to Michigan’s air quality. It is increasingly
clear that Michigan’s air quality is significantly
impacted by emission sources coming from other
states and from outside the United States.
Federal Clean Air Act regulations automatically
impose regulations on Michigan businesses both
statewide and in the state’s 10 ozone nonattainment
areas, despite additional controls on Michigan companies
which have no impact on the air moving in from
out-of-state sources. Michigan’s nonattainment areas
would be “bumped up” to the “moderate” designation
of nonattainment in 2021. These regulations will
increase costs and even limit new individual growth
through emission offset requirements.
MMA is investigating a rarely used exemption
available under the Clean Air Act, under section
179(b), to account for the international contribution. In
August, MMA led a Great Lakes delegation of
manufacturing organizations to meet with the U.S.
EPA Region V Administrator Cathy Stepp to discuss
the effect of international impact. MMA is also
working with Michigan Department of Environment,
Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to examine
out-of-state contributions.
Rational and Science-Based Approach
to Emerging Chemicals like PFAS
With increasing attention on PFAS and related
compounds, Michigan is moving very quickly to
Meet MMA’s New Director of
Regulatory & Environmental Affairs
Dave Greco, III is a licensed
Michigan attorney and
MMA’s newest addition to
our Government Affairs team.
Prior to joining MMA, Greco
was director of external affairs
for the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation and also
served as associate legal counsel and deputy director
for the Michigan House of Representatives. He holds
a juris doctor from Suffolk University Law School, a
Masters of Science from Nova Southeastern University
and a Bachelors of Arts from Bryant University.
Connect with him on all regulatory and
environmental issues at [email protected] or
517-487-8543.
establish some of the lowest drinking water standards
in the nation. The cost of these regulations will be
substantial for citizens, communities and employers.
When states set standards beyond federal levels,
manufacturers become concerned about an unbalanced
regulatory cost structure compared to other states.
The costs imposed on communities and businesses
will likely be substantial. In addition, when new
regulations are set at the state level, manufacturers
are concerned about whether the standards are rooted
in settled science. MMA will be filing formal comments
when the state sets the public hearing schedule.
Stay Informed
Regulations are always changing and manufacturers
are at risk. Members who participate in MMA Policy
Committees stay up-to-date on essential information
and the issues impacting your clients’ bottom line. The
MMA Air Policy Committee, MMA Environmental
Policy Committee, MMA Mining & Natural Resource
Industries Committee and MMA PFAS Work Group
can help keep your business competitive and part of
the state’s policymaking process.
Call MMA’s Eleanor Surtman, at 517-487-8552
or [email protected], to reserve your seat and get
added to Committee mailing lists.
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