Brian Barton
Michigan is one of the top 10 states contributing to methane pollution from landfills. The state's power plants, industrial sites, and landfills are the biggest polluters in Michigan. The state's top 10 power plants emit 38.9 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Southwest Detroit has over 150 sites that emit dangerous chemicals and particles, with Marathon Oil being one of the largest polluters in the area. Additionally, Michigan's landfills contribute to methane pollution, with the state disposing of 57.8 million cubic yards of waste in municipal landfills in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Biggest polluters | Marathon Oil Company, landfill methane, power plants, factories, and sewage plants |
| Marathon Oil Company emissions | Nitrous oxide, PM2.5, and sulphur dioxide |
| Marathon Oil Company violations | Exceeding state and national emission limits |
| Marathon Oil Company fines | Over half a million dollars |
| Landfill methane ranking | Top 10 in the US |
| Landfill methane emissions | 57.8 million cubic yards of waste in 45 municipal landfills in 2022 |
| Power plants ranking | 3 of the top 100 most polluting in the US |
| Power plants emissions | 38.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide |
| Factory pollutants | Phosphorus, PCB, and chemical pollutants |
| Sewage plant locations | Cities surrounding Lake Erie's shoreline |
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What You'll Learn
Marathon Oil Company
The Marathon Oil Company is one of the biggest polluters in Michigan. The company has over 100 hectares of tanks and has been fined for exceeding state and national emission limits. Since 2013, Marathon has received 15 notifications from the Michigan Department of Energy and Environment for these violations.
Marathon's Detroit refinery, located in the Boynton neighbourhood in southwestern Detroit, has a capacity of up to 140,000 barrels of crude oil per calendar day. The refinery processes sweet and heavy sour crude oils into gasoline, distillates, asphalt, fuel-grade coke, chemical-grade propylene, propane, and slurry. In 2014, the refinery emitted 430 tons of nitrous oxide, 83 tons of PM2.5, and 211 tons of sulphur dioxide. Nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide can cause respiratory problems and acid rain, respectively.
Marathon has been fined over half a million dollars for failing to demonstrate compliance with its renewable operating permit and federal air quality rules and regulations. The company has also faced enforcement actions for violations that occurred between September 2017 and January 2020, which included the payment of monetary penalties and the implementation of two Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs). One SEP involved creating a real-time air monitoring system, while the other focused on updating the air handling system at a local school, Mark Twain School, to improve indoor air quality for students and staff.
Marathon has taken steps to reduce pollution, such as installing controls that eliminated tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from 2008 to 2011. The company has also agreed to implement projects to further reduce VOCs and benzene emissions from the air, with an estimated cost of $2.2 million. These efforts are part of an innovative clean air agreement with the EPA's national effort to reduce air pollution from refinery flares.
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Fossil fuel-fired power plants
Michigan is home to 3 of the top 100 most polluting power plants in the United States. These fossil fuel-fired power plants contribute significantly to global warming emissions, with the state's top 10 power plants emitting 38.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, comparable to the emissions of 8.4 million cars on the road for a year.
The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and methane gas, releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change. The average operating coal plant in the United States is 45 years old, and many are outdated and inefficient, underscoring the urgency to address power plant pollution.
To address this issue, Michigan needs to transition from fossil fuel-fired plants to renewable energy sources. This includes setting stringent limits on emissions from existing power plants and encouraging the adoption of clean energy alternatives such as solar and wind power. Strong regulations and climate policies are essential to curb the impact of these polluting power plants and protect our climate.
Regional initiatives, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, have proven effective in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. By capping CO2 emissions, participating states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions achieved a 60% reduction in power plant carbon dioxide pollution from 2005 to 2017. Additionally, renewable electricity standards mandating an increasing proportion of renewable energy sources have been implemented in several states.
However, to tackle the most polluting power plants, federal-level climate policies and aggressive action from organizations like the EPA and Congress are imperative. Michigan's polluting power plants have a disproportionate impact on the planet, and strong measures are necessary to limit their global warming emissions and mitigate their environmental consequences.
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Landfills and methane emissions
Landfills are a significant source of methane emissions in Michigan, posing both environmental and safety risks. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with 80 times the short-term warming power of carbon dioxide, making it a major contributor to climate change. Michigan is one of the top 10 states in the US for methane pollution from landfills, with 45 active facilities. The state disposed of 57.8 million cubic yards of waste in 45 municipal landfills in 2022.
Methane is produced when organic waste, such as food scraps and yard waste, decomposes without oxygen. It can accumulate in confined spaces, such as basements or utility corridors, reaching dangerous concentrations between 5% and 15% that pose serious explosion risks. While methane itself is colorless and odorless, other gases released from landfills, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, can also cause health issues. Additionally, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from landfills have been linked to respiratory problems, particularly impacting those living near landfill sites.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Michigan is taking steps to address methane emissions from landfills. The state has updated its waste management laws, aiming to increase recycling, improve composting practices, and reduce food waste. The Michigan Food Waste Policy Roadmap outlines a plan to halve food waste by 2030, aligning with the state's climate goals. To achieve this, Michigan is targeting waste reduction, food rescue, and recycling strategies, while also emphasizing the expansion of food donation programs.
In addition to waste management strategies, Michigan is implementing regulatory changes. The state overhauled its solid waste law in 2022, requiring all landfills to self-monitor methane emissions and address leaks through patching or the installation of gas collection systems. These systems can capture methane and convert it into energy, reducing emissions and providing a potential economic opportunity. The state is also imposing faster compliance timelines, with sites required to correct surface emissions within 90 days or begin designing full gas collection infrastructure.
The efforts to reduce methane emissions from landfills in Michigan are crucial, not only for mitigating climate change but also for protecting the health and safety of its residents. By addressing this significant source of pollution, Michigan is taking important steps toward a more sustainable future.
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Great Lakes pollution
The Great Lakes—Lake Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior—are situated across nine states/territories in the US and provide the largest freshwater source on Earth. They are crucial for wildlife, ecosystems, and drinking water. However, human activities have significantly polluted these lakes, particularly Lake Erie, due to heavy industrial activity along its shores.
For decades, factories dumped chemical pollutants into Lake Erie and the rivers flowing into it, such as the Cuyahoga and Detroit Rivers. By the 1960s, Lake Erie was predominantly polluted, and experts warned that human activity was accelerating its aging process. The lake became littered with junk, including wrecked vehicles, contributing to pollution that killed fish and made swimming hazardous.
To address the issue, surrounding cities constructed sewage plants, and industries installed water filters. These efforts slowed down Lake Erie's deterioration but did not reverse the existing damage. By 1974, clean-up initiatives showed positive results, as evidenced by the reintroduction of brown trout, which can only survive in clean water, into the lake.
In addition to industrial waste, Michigan, one of the states bordering the Great Lakes, faces pollution issues from other sources. The state is home to some of the top polluting power plants in the US, with the top 10 climate-polluting plants responsible for a significant portion of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Marathon Oil, located in Michigan, has faced scrutiny for exceeding emission limits and contributing to air pollution in the state.
Furthermore, Michigan is among the top 10 states for methane pollution from landfills, disposing of millions of cubic yards of waste in municipal landfills. The state is working towards improving waste management practices and increasing recycling and composting to reduce landfill emissions and meet climate targets.
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Air pollution in Detroit
Detroit, Michigan, has been facing issues with air pollution. The city has over 150 sites in its southwest region that release chemicals and particles, resulting in poor air quality. These sites emit dangerous pollutants, including PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, and ozone. The high levels of air pollution have had a significant impact on the health of Detroit's residents, with asthma hospitalisation rates in the affected areas being nearly triple the state average, and cancer rates are also much higher than average.
Marathon Oil, a prominent company in Detroit, has come under scrutiny for its contribution to air pollution. Located on Fort Street, the company operates 24 hours a day, producing up to 140,000 barrels of oil per day. In 2014, Marathon Oil's refinery emitted 430 tons of nitrous oxide, 83 tons of PM2.5, and 211 tons of sulphur dioxide. Despite Marathon's claims of reducing emissions by 75% over the past 20 years, the company has received multiple notifications from the Michigan Department of Energy and Environment for exceeding emission limits.
In response to the air pollution crisis, the Detroit City Council has taken several initiatives. The council budgeted $800,000 for air quality monitoring and received an additional ARP federal grant of $481,935 for enhanced air quality monitoring equipment and education. The city has purchased Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) Particulate Matter (PM) 10 and 2.5 monitors, which provide near-real-time reporting. These monitors will be placed strategically across Detroit, and the raw data will be made publicly available on a website.
While the data collected during the baseline monitoring phases did not indicate a direct threat to public health, the city continues to take proactive measures. The city has outlined tasks to assess the impact of construction activities on air quality and to predict pollutant impacts during facility post-construction operations. These measures include collecting concentration data from weekly and quarterly monitoring events to determine if additional mitigation efforts are necessary to reduce pollutant concentrations.
Additionally, Michigan is taking steps to address its contribution to methane pollution from landfills. The state aims for a 45% recycling rate and has introduced stricter regulations for composting facilities and landfill operations. Michigan is also updating waste management laws to increase recycling, composting, and reduce food waste, aligning with its climate goals and targeting a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030.
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Frequently asked questions
Michigan is home to 3 of the top 100 most polluting power plants in the U.S. The state also has over 150 sites in southwest Detroit that release harmful chemicals and particles, with Marathon Oil being a notable example. In addition, Michigan is one of the top 10 states contributing to methane pollution from landfills.
Electricity production is Michigan's largest source of global warming pollution, with the state's top 10 power plants emitting 38.9 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. Landfills are another significant source, with Michigan disposing of 57.8 million cubic yards of waste in 45 municipal landfills in 2022.
The high levels of pollution in Michigan have contributed to increased asthma hospitalisation rates and cancer rates in southwest Detroit and the surrounding areas. Pollution has also severely impacted the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie, which had become predominantly polluted by the 1960s due to heavy industrial activity and municipal waste.
The state is updating waste management laws to increase recycling, composting, and reduce food waste, with a goal of cutting landfill emissions and meeting climate targets. Michigan is also home to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which has helped reduce carbon dioxide pollution from power plants in the region.
Individuals can participate in initiatives such as the Air Quality Index Visual Map, which provides real-time air pollution data for Michigan and over 100 other countries. People can also advocate for stronger climate policies and support the transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
