LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 16, 2024) — Senate Democrats passed polluter accountability legislation Friday to require polluters to clean up more thoroughly, to improve transparency about polluted sites, and to make it easier for those harmed by pollution to seek justice. Senate Bills 605, 606, 607, 609 and 611 were sponsored by Sens. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), and Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak).
“These bills are needed to require polluters to actually clean up pollution rather than just restricting people’s use of contaminated land and water forever,” Sen. Irwin said. “One of the main reasons I ran for office is that I saw how current law allows pollution to linger and spread in my community. I’ve seen the blight and the cancers that come from low environmental standards. I am very grateful to the citizens and my colleagues who have lent their support to cleaner water and land.”
Sen. Irwin said, “We need to follow through and pass these bills all the way. Polluters shouldn’t be able to dump toxic chemicals and just leave them there, or to get away with not paying for cleanup because they successfully concealed the harms of their chemicals until it was too late to hold them accountable.”
“Furthermore, these bills were crafted in consultation with business and local governments to ensure that brownfield redevelopment and job growth are not harmed.”
NOTE: See attached fact sheet for additional information on the legislation.
Pollution-Cleanup-Package-Explainer-Nov-2024.pdf