EPA at Work in Detroit and Downriver Communities in MI - Air
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Detroit East Side Air Quality Community Project
During the summer of 2022, R5 Air and Radiation Division (ARD) began a community-based project in partnership with Michigan EGLE to improve air quality on the east side of Detroit. While southwest Detroit has long been the focus of environmental justice advocates, recent developments have increased concerns on the east side. The goals of this project are to engage with the community on air issues and, together, achievable measurable environmental results. ARD has met with several community stakeholders to assess concerns and interests, including City of Detroit staff. Concerns include violations at the Stellantis Mack Assembly plant, truck traffic, dust from demolitions, indoor air quality concerns from flooding, and a desire for increased air monitoring. In addition, Region 5 and EGLE air enforcement staff performed 18 compliance inspections in the area. After initial public engagement is completed, ARD will work with EGLE and community stakeholders to implement outreach and air pollution reduction projects.
Clean Diesel
![school bus parking lot on cloudy day](/system/files/styles/small/private/images/2022-10/school-bus-image-for-air-page-detroit.jpg?itok=C81a_6rq)
Over the last 10 years, Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision and their project partners have received EPA clean diesel grants totaling over $10 million to reduce diesel emissions in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. By reducing diesel emissions and investing in clean energy technology, we are helping to ensure a healthier environment and a stronger economy for future generations. Additional information on Diesel Reduction Act Funding.
Energy Star
In January 2021, EPA partnered with the Detroit 2030 District to host a House of Worship Energy Star Treasure Hunt Competition to find opportunities to save energy and fight climate change. The competition also included internal water and wastewater reduction strategies. Six local churches participated in the 6-month friendly rival to make improvements in their worship facilities and benchmark their monthly energy use with EPA’s Portfolio Manager tool. Throughout the competition, churches received encouragement from coaches, tips on saving energy and funding opportunities from industry experts by way of monthly presentations. The competition culminated with a celebration and recognition from the Detroit 2030 District and EPA.
Enforcement
- In September 2020, EPA issued a Clean Air Act Notice of Violation (NOV) to EES Coke Battery, LLC, River Rouge. The NOV alleges that EES Coke made changes at its coke oven battery that significantly increased emissions of sulfur dioxide. The increase in sulfur dioxide emissions also caused an increase in fine particulate matter emissions. EES Coke didn’t get the appropriate Michigan permits for the emissions increases, didn’t install appropriate pollution controls, and failed to report the increases.
- In 2016EPA and the Department of Justice reached an agreement with Ohio-based Marathon Petroleum Companythat will reduce air pollution from the company’s petroleum refineries in Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan and Ohio.
- EPA, MDEQ and DOJ settlement with US Steel results in emissions reductions and Supplemental Environmental Projects to benefit neighborhoods with $400,000 vegetative buffers in SW Detroit.
Research
EPA has been partnering with the City of Detroit on the Regional Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (RESES) Research Project, Improving Public Health through Urban and Roadside Vegetation. Detroit installed a roadside vegetative barrier in 2018 in Kemeny Park. The EPA has measured black carbon and nitrogen dioxide using air quality sensors and mobile air monitoring at the park before and after the vegetative barrier was installed. Intermittent air sensor monitoring will continue for several years as the vegetation grows. A vegetative barrier has been installed at Clark Park to add to this research effort. After EPA completes its field measurements, some of the black carbon and nitrogen dioxide air sensors will be available for the City and community to continue measurements at the site. In July 2016, EPA developed the report Recommendations for Constructing Roadside Vegetation Barriers to Improve Near-Road Air Quality which summarizes the research findings from this ongoing project in Detroit, as well as other studies in the US and abroad, and outlines the best practices for planting roadside vegetative barriers to improve local air quality. The recommendations can be used by states, communities and individuals interested in reducing roadside air pollution.