A superfund site is a common name for the country’s most polluted areas — and Michigan has 60 of them. With President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law though, we’re getting the critical money needed to clean up — ridding the community of harmful pollutants and ensuring Michiganders breathe healthy air and drink uncontaminated water.
But this isn’t just a health issue, it’s also an equity issue, because 26% of Black Americans live within 3 miles of Superfund sites that can lead to elevated lead levels in our children’s blood. By providing $21 billion to aid cleanup efforts, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will put underserved communities on a more level playing field.
Thanks to Michigan Democrats in Congress the Great Lakes State is getting a large investment, and paired with Governor Whitmer’s continued leadership on this matter, it’s going to be a lifesaver for impacted communities.
Read all about the local impact of superfund site cleanup:
Michigan Advance: 4 Michigan Superfund sites to soon receive federal funding for cleanup projects
“The sites in Charlevoix, Mancelona Township, St. Clair Shores and St. Louis are among 45 others across the country set to receive federal funds from the bipartisan infrastructure law.
“‘EGLE is excited to learn that these sites will be receiving funding so that the necessary cleanups can move forward soon. This funding will definitely accelerate the pace of cleanup at these sites,’ said Hugh McDiarmid Jr., spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) on Thursday.”
MLive: EPA targets Michigan toxic site backlog with infrastructure money
“‘This is the biggest investment in cleaning up Superfund sites that we’ve seen in a very, very long time,’ said Debra Shore, who was appointed in October as administrator of EPA Region 5, which encompasses Michigan. ‘And the fact that it’s going to reconstitute the trust fund means that the work can continue; that it won’t run out of funding over time.’”
C&G News: Cleanup at 10 Mile Superfund site funded with infrastructure act
“A plan developed in 2018 to clean up contamination of the 10 Mile Drain will receive funding to proceed with the passage of a bipartisan infrastructure law that will clear the backlog of 49 previously unfunded Superfund sites and accelerate cleanup at dozens of other sites across the country.”
