Pollution Problems: Indiana, Illinois, And Wisconsin Vs. Michigan

Michigan, known as the Water Wonderland, is facing a threat to its water and air quality due to pollution. With its Great Lakes, streams, lakes, and rivers, water is an essential part of Michigan. However, the rise of industrial-scale agricultural pollution and the poor performance of regulators in addressing air pollution are causing harm to the state's environment and public health. Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, which border Michigan, have been implicated in this issue. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the disapproval of these states' plans regarding interstate transport and their failure to meet obligations to prohibit emissions that contribute to air pollution in other states. This has sparked discussions about the impact of aggregate pollution and the need to consider the cumulative impacts of industrial sources. As a result, Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib has introduced the Cumulative Impacts Act to address these concerns.

Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin's SIP submissions do not meet obligations to prohibit emissions

Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin's SIP submissions do not meet their obligations to prohibit emissions that significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with the maintenance of the 2015 ozone NAAQS in other states. This is based on the EPA's evaluation using the 4-step interstate transport framework. The EPA is proposing to disapprove of the SIP submissions from these states.

The "good neighbor" or "interstate transport" provision requires that each state's SIP contain adequate measures to prevent emissions from the state from significantly impacting the air quality of other states. This provision is part of the broader "infrastructure" requirements, which aim to ensure that each state's air quality management program can meet its responsibilities under the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA).

In the case of Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, their SIP submissions fell short in addressing interstate transport obligations. IEPA, the Illinois state agency, identified monitoring sites projected to have issues with attaining or maintaining the 2015 ozone NAAQS by 2023. However, IEPA did not propose any new permanent measures to reduce emissions in its SIP submission. Instead, it focused on continuing to assist with modeling and analysis.

Additionally, Wisconsin's submission did not include an analysis of potential NOX controls or supporting documentation to determine its obligations under the 2015 ozone NAAQS. This lack of analysis and documentation contributed to the EPA's proposal to disapprove of Wisconsin's SIP submission.

It is important to note that the EPA's proposal to disapprove of the SIP submissions is just one step in the process. The EPA will continue to work with the states to address the identified issues and ensure that their air quality management programs meet the required standards.

Detroit's industrial core has harmed residents for decades

Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin have all been cited as contributing to air pollution in Michigan, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposing to disapprove of their State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions in 2022. This is due to their failure to adequately prohibit emissions that contribute to nonattainment or interfere with the maintenance of the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in other states. While Wisconsin's air quality has been improving, with a 25% reduction in ozone pollution along the Lake Michigan shoreline since 2001, it still has several counties with failing grades for air quality, including Kenosha, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, and Sheboygan. These counties experience high levels of smog pollution, which is a type of ozone pollution that forms when air pollutants interact with heat and sunlight.

Indiana, in particular, has been noted for its poor air and water quality, ranking just below West Virginia, which has the fourth-worst air quality in the United States. Indiana's main sources of pollution include a dependence on automobiles, a lack of investment in public transportation, and coal-fired power plants that generate air pollution carried by winds to other states. Illinois has also been mentioned as contributing to air pollution in the region, with the Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor metro area, which includes parts of Illinois, ranking 33rd worst in the nation for ozone pollution.

The cumulative impact of pollution from these states and local industrial sources has had a detrimental effect on Detroit's air quality. The city has been ranked 13th worst in the nation for annual particle pollution, with Wayne County, Michigan, receiving a failing grade for pollution levels above the federal standard. Short-term spikes in particle pollution have also been recorded, with the Detroit metro area ranked 35th worst in the nation in this regard. These spikes can be extremely dangerous and even deadly, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

To address the issue of pollution in Detroit, regulators from the EPA and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have worked to implement the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, which have had significant impacts on reducing pollution since their passage in 1970. Additionally, Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib has introduced the Cumulative Impacts Act, which aims to consider the aggregate pollution of all industries when approving permits for polluting sources, rather than evaluating them in isolation. This legislation is crucial in protecting the health of low-income and BIPOC communities that have historically borne the brunt of pollution.

Indiana's coal-fired power plants generate air pollution carried by winds to other states

Indiana has consistently ranked poorly for drinking water quality, industrial toxins, pollution health risks, and urban air quality. The state's main sources of pollution include a dependence on automobiles and a lack of investment in public transportation. Indiana's coal-fired power plants, located in the southwest of the state, generate air pollution that is carried by winds to the eastern parts of the state and beyond to other states.

Indiana is one of 27 states suing the EPA over its Clean Power Plan, which would require reductions in climate-altering greenhouse gas pollution from electric utilities. Indiana has also tried to block a federal rule to reduce emissions of dangerous metals and acid gases from coal- and oil-fired power plants. The state's governor, Mike Pence, a pro-coal, climate-change skeptic, has argued that the costs of shifting to cleaner energy sources are too high.

Indiana's coal-fired power plants have been linked to severe health issues, including lung damage, cardiovascular problems, and potential impacts on maternal and fetal health. Evansville, a city of 120,000 people, is located within 30 miles of seven coal-fired power plants, four of which are considered "super polluters" due to their high levels of toxic emissions and greenhouse gas production. These power plants have been the subject of campaigns by environmental groups, such as Beyond Coal and the Sierra Club, to reduce their toxic emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to disapprove of Indiana's State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions regarding interstate transport for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA's evaluation found that Indiana's SIP submissions did not meet the state's obligations to prohibit emissions that significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with the maintenance of air quality standards in other states. This proposal is made under the "'good neighbor' provision of the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA), which requires states to consider the impact of their emissions on neighbouring states.

Michigan's most polluted ZIP code, District 48217, is polluted by Marathon Oil Company

Michigan's most polluted ZIP code is District 48217, which is polluted by Marathon Oil Company, among other industrial sources. Located in Southwest Detroit, the Marathon refinery has grown to become one of the nation's largest, covering 250 acres and producing up to 140,000 barrels of oil per day. The refinery emits hundreds of tons of nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, contributing significantly to the area's poor air quality.

The impact of Marathon's operations on the surrounding community is evident, with residents experiencing various health issues. People living in the 48217 ZIP code have reported struggling to breathe and suffering from cancer and kidney failure, which they attribute to the pollution from nearby industries. The high levels of pollution in the area have also been linked to environmental racism, as communities of color in Michigan are disproportionately affected by toxic waste dumping.

Data collected by an EGLE monitor on the southwest side of 48217 showed pollutant levels below the thresholds set by the National Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). However, other datasets and monitors located downwind of the Marathon refinery and other industries indicate significantly higher pollution levels, suggesting that the EGLE monitor may not be capturing the full extent of pollution in the area.

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) evaluation of State Implementation Plans (SIPs) from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin found that these states' submissions did not meet their obligations to prohibit emissions contributing to nonattainment or interference with maintenance of the 2015 ozone NAAQS. This includes addressing interstate transport of air pollution, which is particularly relevant for Michigan, as it shares borders with Indiana and Wisconsin, both of which have industrial sources of pollution that can impact the air and water quality in Michigan.

To address the pollution issues in District 48217 and the broader region, increased monitoring and a reevaluation of the threat pollution poses to communities are necessary. Experts agree that more comprehensive and long-term data is required to fully understand the impact of pollution on the health and well-being of residents in these areas.

Michigan's Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor metro area ranked 33rd worst in the nation for ozone pollution

According to the 2024 'State of the Air' report by the American Lung Association, the Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor metro area in Michigan ranked 33rd worst in the US for ozone pollution. The report also noted that Detroit was the 13th worst in the nation for annual particle pollution.

Ozone pollution, also known as smog, is a powerful lung irritant. When inhaled, it reacts with the lining of the airways, causing inflammation and other damage that can impact multiple body systems. It is linked to an increased risk of premature births and lower birth weights in newborns. Ozone and particle pollution can also cause premature death, asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and impaired cognitive functioning later in life. Particle pollution is also a cause of lung cancer.

The report also tracked short-term spikes in particle pollution, which can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. The Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor metro area ranked 35th worst in the US in this category. The ranking was based on the area's worst county's average number of unhealthy days—5.8 days per year, an F grade, in Wayne County, Michigan.

The American Lung Association has urged the EPA to set stronger national limits on ozone pollution. Climate change is making air pollution more likely to form and more challenging to clean up. While the Clean Air Act has driven pollution reduction for decades, climate change increases the risk of wildfires, which spread dangerous particle pollution.

Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin have been cited for their contributions to air pollution in the region. Indiana ranks poorly for drinking water quality, industrial toxins, pollution health risks, and urban air quality. Its main sources of pollution include a dependence on automobiles and coal-fired power plants, which generate air pollution carried by winds to other states. Illinois and Wisconsin have also failed to meet air quality standards, with Illinois ranking just below Indiana for poor air quality.

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