Tell EGLE To Prioritize the Repairs

October 14, 2022

Take Action: Register Now - https://bit.ly/EGLEHearingOct

Make public comment at the EGLE Public Hearing
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 6pm

-OR- go to Michigan.gov/EGLEAirPublicNotice, choose “Consent Order Public Notice Documents” for details on how to submit a comment by November 2, 2022.

Supporting Documents:

Proposed Enforcement Factsheet

Compliance & Enforcement documents for SRN: N2155

Enforcement Summary Report and Proposed Consent Order

NEW! The 6th Violation Order

Stellantis Ongoing East Side Air Quality Violations

In September, EGLE, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, proposed a Consent Orderfor multiple air quality violations by Stellantis, formally FCA/Chrysler on the Eastside of Detroit.

According to EGLE, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee went into production at Detroit Assembly Complex Mack in November of 2019. A 6th Violation was issued on October 7, 2022.

That's nearly 2 years of production with improper ventilation and odor mitigation rather than immediate correction.

The violations, pending Consent Order and attached Nuisance Minimization Plan have been prompted by an organized effort by frontline residents to complain to EGLE's pollution emergency hotline. We are thankful for the Justice for Beniteau Residents group and their efforts to move this forward.

The proposed Consent Order includes two Supplemental Environmental Projects, SEPs for a building management system at Southeastern High School ($147,000) and to plant 80 trees ($65,000) in Brewer Park, ¼ mile away from directly impacted residents on Beniteau. The cost of these SEPs are used to offset the $270,203 fine to $62,863 that will go to a state fund.

It is unfortunate that the Nuisance Minimization Plan, that could potentially correct the issues with ventilation, has been attached to the approval of the Consent Order and SEPs.

These projects proposed by Stellantis and endorsed by EGLE fail to respond to resident needs, demands, and to address the impact of the violations. Once approved, the implementation of these repairs could bring relief to Beniteau residents.

This enforcement process again disregards resident demands for home repair and/or relocation that have been clearly stated for years. It is another in a long line of insults to community by EGLE and perpetuates the environmental racism inherent in their process. Stellantis/Jeep have over polluted a 94% Black neighborhood, have received 5, now 6 air quality violations and THIS is the result of their enforcement process on a project paid for with our own tax dollars? NO! We stand with Beniteau!

Call to Action from Justice for Beniteau: TELL EGLE TO PRIORITIZE THE REPAIRS

Justice for Beniteau Residents have been meeting since the spring of 2019 and organizing for better environmental and quality of life outcomes for those living closest to the paint facilities at Stellantis' Detroit Assembly Complex Mack.

Justice for Beniteau Residents led the effort to distribute the EGLE pollution hotline to neighbors and the complaints that have now led to 6 Air Quality Violations issued on Stellantis.

Justice for Beniteau Residents have prioritized the demand for funding for home repair to make homes safe to live in OR for successful voluntary relocation.

Members of Justice for Beniteau Residents have filed a Title VI Civil Rights complaint with the EPA that has led to an investigation of EGLE's permitting process.

Why we say Fix Beniteau First! While the fumes and emissions documented through EGLE's 6 Violation Orders impact everyone's air quality, residents closest to the facility are living in it 24/7. Those living closest to the plant on Beniteau have been most impacted and most vocal. Emissions and fumes from the plant have made residents complain of:

overwhelming fumes
eye, throat, and lung irritation
headaches and nausea

Many Beniteau residents have reduced their outside time and have reduced family visits to prevent loved-one's exposure. The project has impacted residents air quality and quality of life.

If this injustice is addressed for our frontline/environmental justice community on Beniteau everyone will benefit.

Justice for Beniteau Residents call on all Detroiters and residents across the region and the state to Stand in Solidarity with Beniteau and speak out against this ongoing injustice by Stellantis that EGLE has failed to address.

Stand in Solidarity with Beniteau!

OUR DEMAND IS CLEAR: TELL EGLE TO PRIORITIZE THE REPAIRS!

OUR DEMAND IS CLEAR:
TELL EGLE TO PRIORITIZE THE REPAIRS!