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Dear Neighbor, I want to make sure you’re informed about what has been going on in our state government and update you on what I’ve been working on. In this e-news, you can find information about:
As always, you can reach my office at (517) 373-2406 or by replying to this email. Sincerely, |
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Jeff Irwin
IN-PERSON COFFEE HOUR THIS SATURDAY AT 9 AM Please join me at my coffee hour this Saturday, Sept. 17th, at York Ann Arbor (1928 Packard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104), from 9-10 a.m. |
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Since it is this week, don’t forget to click on “Going” on my Facebook event page to get a reminder the day before and the day of. If you have any questions, please contact my office at (517) 373-2406 or by responding to this email.
TRIBAR SPILL UPDATE As you may know by now, the amount of hexavalent chromium spilled by Tribar in Wixom is far smaller than initially reported. The initial reported release amount was about 8,000 pounds, while the actual release amount was 3,892 pounds. Luckily, Tribar’s filtration system and the Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant caught the vast majority of the hexavalent chromium. Over the month of August, EGLE collected numerous water samples to test for hexavalent chromium. You can see a map of where the samples were collected, the date they were collected and if hexavalent chromium was detected. The fact that most of the chemical was caught before it was discharged into the Huron River does not excuse the fact that the plant did not alert the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) until 7 hours after the initial emergency report. In addition, staff overrode the waste treatment alarms 460 times before something was done. All of these are examples of the gross negligence exhibited by Tribar. Repeat violations like this are inexcusable and warrant their shut down. Polluters like this do not deserve another chance. These toxic chemicals are damaging to our health, our economy, our communities, our water, and animals in the area. I strongly support all efforts to hold Tribar legally accountable and shut them down. That’s why I urged EGLE to reject the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and use whatever power it has to shut down Tribar’s operations. Tribar, Wixom, and regulators developed this series of improvements for Tribar operations before Wixom agreed to end the order:
Tribar is facing investigations by EGLE and the EPA, which may result in criminal charges being filed.
ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE NOV. 8 GENERAL ELECTION Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is reminding Michigan residents that they can now apply to vote absentee in the Nov. 8 general election. Voters choosing to vote by mail are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible to avoid postal delays. All voters registered in Michigan are eligible to vote absentee. They can apply online at Michigan.gov/Vote or print an application form from the site and mail, email, or hand deliver it to their local clerk. Voters can find their clerk’s contact information at Michigan.gov/Vote. Voters with disabilities may apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote or Michigan.gov/AccessibleBallot. The accessible ballot can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to their clerk. Clerks will begin mailing out absent voter ballots by Sept. 29. They will be available for early, in-person voting in clerks’ offices on that date as well. A ballot-tracking tool on the Michigan.gov/Vote site allows voters to check when their clerk received their absentee ballot request, when they mailed out the ballot and, when they received the ballot back from the voter. For more information on absentee voting, or to register to vote, go to Michigan.gov/Vote. |
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PUBLIC POWER FOR ANN ARBOR Last week, the Ann Arbor City Council approved a study exploring the feasibility of a publicly owned power utility. This study will explore the costs and many other factors that could come from Ann Arbor to establish a municipal utility that would replace DTE Energy as the city’s energy provider and generator. I applaud the council for taking the oppo After this vote, I spoke with Guy Gordon about the benefits of Ann Arbor creating a municipal utility. Many municipalities in Michigan have public power and they have cleaner and more affordable power than we do with DTE. You can listen to our conversation here.
MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE MIHAF Application Homeowners can apply for the MIHAF program here. Before you start, please make sure you have all the necessary documents and information. You can find what documents and information you’ll need here. Click here for the MIHAF Application. Who Is Eligible?
Up to $25,000 grant per eligible household to pay:
COVID-19 RESOURCES General Vaccination Info The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) has an ongoing vaccination site located at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. Schedule an appointment here. If you need help scheduling, call us at 734-544-6700. Walk-ins without an appointment are accepted during clinic hours: Monday-Friday from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-3:30 p.m. Free, door-to-door, accessible, round-trip transportation to any COVID-19 vaccination site in Washtenaw County is available through the Vaccinate Washtenaw Program. This program is open to any person of any age in Washtenaw County. Rides are booked through the AARP Ride@50+ Program. Call 844-900-4892 and use the code “Vaccinate Washtenaw.” If the call center is busy, you can also call 734-773-0907 to schedule a ride. Please check the WCHD website for more info about additional doses for immunocompromised people. Booster Shots The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson booster doses at their clinic at 555 Towner in Ypsilanti. They ask that you please bring your vaccination card and identification, if possible. COVID Testing Lynx XD has drive-thru saliva PCR testing sites in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Pre-registration is required at both sites. Once you pre-register, you will be directed to schedule a time/date for your test. For additional testing sites across Washtenaw County, and our state, visit the WCHD’s website.
ENERGY BILL ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION We have numerous utility shutoff protection programs and programs that will help you afford your utility bills during the winter. These programs range from bill payment assistance to assistance winterizing your home. Check out our list of these programs here. |
