Insider Intelligence

Given the rising threat of PFAS contamination in the state’s drinking water supply, Governor Gretchen Whitmer called on the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to establish statewide standards. Previously the state had waited on the Federal Government to set standards but given their recent inaction the governor decided to set a state standard in order […]

This week, Steve Sliver was named executive director of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART). He was first assigned to the team in April 2018, serving as the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) senior representative within the organization. Mr. Silver has worked in state government for 32-years, most recently as the former assistant director […]

After the legislature blocked her previous Executive Order (EO) restructuring environmental oversight, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a new EO this week. Under EO 2019-6, the Department of Environmental Quality will become the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The department will focus on improving the quality of Michigan’s air, land, and water, and protecting […]

On Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued two executive orders and an executive directive making changes to environmental oversight in Michigan. Executive Order 2019-2: Restructures the Department of Environmental Quality as the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. It creates new offices within the department, including the Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate, the […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder issued an Executive Directive to develop a readiness plan to manage expedited responses when PFAS contamination is discovered. It also encourages coordination between state and local agencies in response to nationally emerging PFAS contamination. PFAS contamination has been moving to the forefront of environmental issues facing Michigan and Governor Snyder […]

Governor Rick Snyder announced the initial appointments to the Environmental Review Committee. Created by Public Act in 2018, the committee was created as an independent body within the Office of Performance and Transformation to oversee all rule-making of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The board is comprised of four ex-officio department heads and 12 […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder announced his initial appointments to the Environmental Permit Review Commission. "This board will work to protect Michigan’s environment by having field experts on the committee carefully review all permits to ensure projects are in the best interest of preserving Michigan’s resources and environment,” Governor Snyder said. The commission is comprised of 15 members appointed by the governor with experience […]

There is now confirmation that Enbridge Line 5 has gaps in its protective coating. The pipeline was commissioned in 1953 and is responsible for transporting petroleum from western Canada to eastern Canada. Michigan agencies are working together to inspect anchors along Line 5, which measures 645 miles in length and runs through the Straits of […]