LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 15, 2024) — Following news that a milky, corrosive fluid was discovered near the railroad crossing at Payne and West Jefferson on the north end of the former McLouth Steel site, Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) released the following statement:
“This most recent incident is emblematic of a much larger problem. Our long industrial history has done a lot of damage to our land and water, and we need sustainable funding to clean up and revitalize our communities. Passing legislation to require companies to clean up the damage they’ve done is an important first step.”
With ongoing construction occurring at this site, Sen. Camilleri is advocating for stronger regulations that would enable the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to hold polluters accountable for mismanaging dangerous chemicals, and in this case for allowing pollutants into nearby bodies of water, causing potential health risks to nearby residents.
Sen. Camilleri has advocated for stronger environmental protections during his time as both a state representative and senator, and he believes this newest development is yet another example of the need for more robust cleanup laws that discourage private entities from polluting our communities.
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