Press Releases
Dingell, Tlaib Reintroduce Legislation to Prevent Closure of EPA Labs in Michigan, Nationwide
Dearborn, MI,
August 2, 2019
DEARBORN, MI – US Congresswomen Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) introduced legislation to prevent the closure of any US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional or program office and protect thousands of jobs across the country, including the EPA’s Large Lakes Research Station office on Grosse Ile. The Recognizing the Environmental Gains in Overcoming Negligence (REGION) Act comes as this administration continues to propose cutting EPA’s budget and weakening environmental protection laws. The Grosse Ile facility houses Emergency Response Division employees who are tasked with responding and cleaning up environmental hazards or accidents, criminal investigators, and serves as an important post for the Great Lakes National Program Office.
“The hard-working EPA employees on Grosse Ile play a critical role in protecting our Michigan communities. They monitor our air and waters connected to the Great Lakes. Grosse Ile’s close proximity in case of a dangerous spill or water contamination is invaluable and supports an effective cleanup process should a situation arise that threatens the health of our families and environment, ” Dingell said. “We cannot afford to lose these jobs or halt the essential work taking place. The REGION Act will ensure that this important work continues in Michigan and at EPA offices across the country, where dedicated scientists, engineers and public servants are working every day to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink now and for the future.”
“At a time when our awareness of environmental hazards like PFAS and lead is increasing, we need more oversight and enforcement from the EPA, not less. Sadly for our communities, Trump’s EPA is more concerned with protecting corporate polluters than protecting our communities. The REGION Act will ensure that the important EPA offices across the country that keep our neighborhoods and environment safe – including the Grosse Ile office – cannot be closed. I’m proud to be working with a tireless fighter for our region in Representative Dingell on this critical legislation,” Tlaib said.
In June, the House accepted a measures by Dingell and Tlaib to the Interior Appropriations package that would prevent the EPA from closing the Large Lakes Research Station on Grosse Ile. Dingell’s measure prevents the EPA from closing or relocating any office or facility that houses either emergency responders or a criminal investigation unit responsible for carrying out the agency’s mission, such as the station on Grosse Ile. Tlaib’s measure stops the EPA from closing offices in regions that have designated Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Areas. The Grosse Ile station manages the Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area in Wayne County.
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