State of Michigan Archives: on Environment
Gretchen Whitmer:
It's time to rebuild Michigan's water infrastructure
I know you're used to me saying "fix the damn roads." This year, let's also fix the damn road ahead--find common ground to grow our economy and get families and businesses back on their feet. We've kept moving forward on water infrastructure.
Last year, I announced the MI Clean Water plan, a $500 million investment in Michigan's water infrastructure. Direct dollars to communities for safe, clean water to residents.
And it supports over 7,500 Michigan jobs. It's time for the legislature to pass these bills so we can start rebuilding Michigan's water infrastructure.
I will keep working so every family in Michigan has clean, safe water.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 27, 2021
Marcia Squier:
Invest in ways to prevent erosion and rising waters
Q: What steps will you take to ensure that water quality catastrophes similar to the Flint water crisis are prevented in Michigan?A: I would work to hold those responsible accountable for their destructive actions, and work to ensure resources and
funds are available to those affected.
Q: What about other water issues?
A: We need to invest in erosion fighting measures, and work to mitigate the cause of the rising water.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
Marcia Squier:
All animals should be treated humanely
Q: What about an animal rights policy?
A: I support the ethical, humane treatment of all animals, whether they be pets, livestock, game or otherwise. Animal welfare is very important to the food production process.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
Gretchen Whitmer:
Michigan is defined by water; up to us to protect it
Every Michigander deserves the opportunity to be successful, starting with their health. That means protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil in which we grow. But disparities in the quality of air and water based on where you
live or on your income, have had a devastating impact on the health of our families and our kids. It is this very injustice that caused the Flint water crisis.Protect the Great Lakes. Not just for our rich heritage, their pristine beauty, or the
nearly one million jobs they help generate for our state, but because it is our responsibility as the stewards of over 20% of earth's freshwater and the groundwater that goes with it. Climate change has impacted our lakes by lowering water tables and
stimulating massive algae blooms. We must also do more to prevent a more aggressive spread of invasive species like Asian carp and lampreys. We in Michigan are defined by our water, and it's up to us to protect it.
Source: 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com
Mar 24, 2020
Gary Peters:
Push for Great Lakes restoration efforts & oil cleanups
But in taking on Gary Peters, John James is taking on someone who can point to specific actions taken to address potential oil spills in the Straits of Mackinac, question spending by the Trump White House and government agencies, and push for
Great Lakes restoration efforts. Peters can also note legislative victories on bills he has helped pass with Republicans--including those protecting rights of service members.
Source: Detroit Free Press on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 25, 2019
Bill Schuette:
Opposes burdensome EPA regulations
Q: Consider climate change a critical threat? Limit creation of greenhouse gases? Participate in U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of states committed to climate change action?Bill Schuette (R): No. Joined letter arguing that science wasn't settled,
so Exxon wasn't lying about climate change. Opposed "burdensome" EPA regulations and Obama Clean Power Plan.
Gretchen Whitmer (D): Yes.
Opposed Trump withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord. Called on Gov Snyder to join U.S. Climate Alliance. Create state Office of Climate Change.
Q: Government support for renewable energy?
Bill Schuette (R): No. Opposed 2012 initiative to require 25% of electricity production from renewables by 2025.
Gretchen Whitmer (D): Yes. Strong support for renewables.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Michigan Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Debbie Stabenow:
Reverse cuts to Great Lakes funding
Q: Environment: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration?John James (R): No overall statement found, but a likely yes.
Debbie Stabenow (D): No, especially cuts to bipartisan Great Lakes funding, that she helped reverse.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Bill Schuette:
Charged 15 city and state officials for Flint water crisis
Two years ago, he opened a probe into Flint's lead-contaminated water crisis and has charged 15 former and current city and state officials with crimes and misdemeanors.
Schuette charged six officials, including Gov. Rick Snyder's state health chief and chief medical executive, with involuntary manslaughter.
Source: The Detroit News on 2018 Michigan gubernatorial race
Jul 25, 2018
Bill Schuette:
Opposing EPA regulations earns him polluter protector label
Schuette's campaign website says he "successfully opposed President Obama's job-killing energy regulations that would have hurt Michigan's economy and increased utility bills for hard-working families." The statement references Schuette's involvement
in a pair of lawsuits against U.S. EPA regulations largely affecting coal-fired power plants. Those same lawsuits are under scrutiny from Progress Michigan which claims the suits show Schuette protects polluters.
Source: MichiganRadio.org on 2018 Michigan gubernatorial race
Jun 18, 2018
John James:
Protect the national treasure of the Great Lakes
Our Great Lakes are a national treasure which also supports a robust fish and tourism industry here in Michigan.
I will champion policies and programs that not only protect environmental quality throughout the Great Lakes but will protect them from invasive species such as Asian carp.
Source: 2018 Michigan Senate campaign website JohnJamesForSenate.com
Mar 2, 2018
Gretchen Whitmer:
Environmental policy based on science
Rely on science, facts and truly independent studies to guide how we address the challenges of balancing our environmental impact, jobs, and the sanctity of our waterways. Hiring impartial experts to
oversee and regulate our emissions standards will ensure that scientists, and not corporate interests, are making the decisions that impact our water and air.
Source: 2018 Michigan Gubernatorial website GretchenWhitmer.com
Nov 1, 2017
Bob Young:
Regulations hurt farms and small businesses
Every Michigan small business owner understands the same thing: federal regulations and faceless bureaucrats who know nothing about business are strangling them. Additionally, government over-regulation hurts
Michigan farms and Agricultural industry. We need to get the government out of our farms and out of our businesses to move the Michigan economy forward and bring our jobs and children back to Michigan.
Source: 2018 Michigan Senatorial website BobYoungForMichigan.com
Oct 1, 2017
Marcia Squier:
End the War on Oil, for national security AND environment
Regarding prioritizing green energy: We need to be off the grid with renewables ASAP, not only for national security reasons, but also for environmental and humane reasons. Our current government exploits fossil fuel resources and uses interventionism
to disguise it. In order to end the War on Oil, and the deaths of millions of innocent people (mostly non-white), we need alternative sources of fuel. Expanding the green energy industry will create jobs, which will create more taxable revenue for the
States, enabling more things like infrastructure repair and other restorative measures. But first, we need an educated workforce that can handle the growing industry.
I believe that all of these things are intertwined, and therefore must all happen-- somewhat simultaneously or in quick succession.
Source: OnTheIssues interview on 2018 Michigan Senate race
Jul 20, 2017
Marcia Squier:
EPA should regulate for-profit corporations
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?
A: Oppose: I support the EPA regulating businesses/corporations, which are profit-driven and therefore often disregard environmental impacts.
Source: OnTheIssues interview on 2018 Michigan Senate race
Jul 19, 2017
Marcia Squier:
Repeal the DARK Act: require full GMO labeling
I want to repeal/replace the Help America Vote Act, the Telecommunications Act, the Controlled Substances Act [illegalizing marijuana], the Patriot Act, the NDAA, & the DARK Act [requiring limited GMO labelling]. I also want to reappropriate
military funding towards renewables (off the grid), education, health care, and infrastructure. Regarding trade, I only support bilateral trade agreements. No multinational trade agreements.
Source: Facebook posting for 2018 Michigan Senate race
Jul 13, 2017
Abdul El-Sayed:
Advocate for environmental justice on lead exposure
He's made a name for himself in Detroit as a leader in the fight for environmental justice, but the city's health chief has resigned to tackle his next challenge: a bid for governor.
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is pursuing the state's highest office on a platform that will be deeply rooted in his values of equity and inclusion.
In his tenure at the Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion , El-Sayed overhauled the city's troubled animal control office and emerged as an outspoken advocate for residents most impacted by higher rates of lead exposure and asthma.
He opposed Marathon Petroleum's controversial request to increase emissions in southwest Detroit and demanded a safer learning environment for city schoolchildren.
Source: The Detroit News on 2018 Michigan Gubernatorial race
Feb 9, 2017
Rick Snyder:
Pure Michigan: promote tourism like U.P. and brewery trail
Tourism: thanks to Pure Michigan we are showing America just how beautiful we think our home state is. I am a huge fan of kayaking, rock hunting, I even tried elk bugling last year. One of my favorite experiences was biking the brewery and wine trail in
the Thumb. It was absolutely beautiful. We have so many awesome things to do in our state and we should be proud. One of the great things was what Lonely Planet did for us. They named the U.P. one of the top 10 value destinations for
2017 and it was in a category the only place in the United States along with Venice, Morocco, Belize and Nepal. The U.P. is right up there with the best in the world.
To give you more perspective though, Michigan had the highest growth in incoming international visitors of any state in the nation from 2014 to 2015. The secret is getting out and I couldn't be happier about it.
Source: 2017 Michigan State of the State address
Jan 17, 2017
Rick Snyder:
More resources to fight invasive species in Great Lakes
On wetlands: They are vital to our wildlife and infrastructure. We have lost an estimated four million acres of wetlands over the last few decades. We're going to do something unique this year. The DNR is going to create a public private partnership on
state land to work with local landowners to say we can use state lands as a mitigation bank to help encourage development and at the same time protecting our environment. Invasive carp [is] one of the greatest threats to our state.
We need to do more. We've invested resources, but we need to catalyze all the Great Lake states on doing more, and our nation. One of the ways we are going to do this is: we're creating an international crowdsourcing challenge.
On the topic of environmental justice, I'm going to announce a work group on the issue of environmental justice to make sure all Michiganders have a clean, safe, healthy environment no matter who they are or where they live.
Source: 2017 Michigan State of the State address
Jan 17, 2017
Rick Snyder:
Work tirelessly, plus $27M, to make Flint's water safe
Make no mistake, Flint was a sad chapter in the history of our state. Last year the people of Flint suffered an unacceptable crisis. I made a commitment to the people of Flint to fix it. We took immediate action and in the following days and months
we've worked tirelessly to make Flint's water safe to drink again and improve the entire city of Flint. We're making progress but our work is not yet.
We all owe the people of Flint a solution and we've worked hard to deliver that, we are going to continue to be committed to that. In terms of progress, though, on the water front we have new test results and by June of
2016 this last year we provided $27 million to help with lead pipe replacements to the city of Flint. To date we've seen progress, over 600 pipes have been replaced and we look forward to working with the city on accelerating the progress of that.
Source: 2017 Michigan State of the State address
Jan 17, 2017
Brenda Lawrence:
Flint water crisis is example of environmental injustice
Q: How would you rate the State of Michigan's response to the Flint water crisis?A: The State of Michigan demonstrated repeated failures on every level in response to the Flint water crisis, and unfortunately, continue to do so.
The Governor failed to act when he was made aware of the situation and has continued to fail to lead in resolving the crisis. Flint continues to have unsafe water. The situation is a clear example of environmental injustice.
It also demonstrated the ill-conceived concept of Emergency Financial Managers, and what the human cost can be when purporting to govern by spreadsheet.
Q: Should Congress provide funding to help Flint?
A: Unfortunately, the federal government
involvement in the initial stages which was to oversee and consult with MDEQ was unacceptable as well. When we are interpreting regulations for action or inaction and not taking into consideration the consequences to human life we are failing.
Source: VotersGuide on 2016 Michigan House race
Nov 1, 2016
Marcia Squier:
Federal funding for Flint; and prosecution for poisoning too
Q: How would you rate the State of Michigan's response to the Flint water crisis?A: Poor. I believe that more individuals need to be held accountable for the poisoning of an entire region. Strict precedence needs to be set here in Michigan because
similar issues like this are popping up all over the country, and the people need to rest assured that they come first and foremost in the law of the land. I also believe that the water-line infrastructure needs to be completely overhauled, and that
the residents of Flint should not only receive clean water, but they should also receive automatic, full-coverage health insurance, and a living expense stipend or relocation expenses.
Q: Should Congress provide funding to help Flint?
A: Yes, Congress should provide funding to help Flint and other cities across the U.S. to eliminate lead service lines. If elected, I will vote in favor of federal funding of this critical issue. It is our obligation and duty to take care of our own.
Source: VotersGuide on 2016 Michigan House race
Nov 1, 2016
Bill Schuette:
Sue firms that caused Flint drinking water crisis
The Michigan attorney general filed a lawsuit Wednesday morning against a water company and anÿengineering firm, plus several related companies, in connection with the Flint drinking water crisis, alleging the firms' "acts and omission constitute
professional negligence, fraud and public nuisance." Attorney General Bill Schuette's lawsuit names seven corporateÿdefendants in all, but according to court records they are all related to two firms that did work for the City of Flint.
Source: Detroit Free Press on 2018 Michigan gubernatorial race
Jun 22, 2016
Rick Snyder:
Voluntary pollution prevention program for farmers
Snyder established a voluntary pollution prevention program that helps Michigan farmers maintain their economic viability while being environmentally responsible.Our journey to the 'New Michigan' requires that government, industry and stakeholder
groups work together toward common goals. Putting this program into statute secures its place as a model for addressing environmental challenges in a way that also allows our agriculture-based businesses to expand.
Source: Michigan 2011 gubernatorial press release, #252449
Mar 8, 2011
Rick Snyder:
Protect natural resources; user fees contribute $3B/year
Michigan is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and we need to be a leader and innovator in protecting these resources. Recreational fishing, hunting and boating activities alone contribute more than $3 billion annually to our economy.
We are separating the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) so we can better address these key priorities.
Source: Michigan 2011 gubernatorial press release, #248895
Jan 4, 2011
Debbie Stabenow:
Authored ban on Great Lakes drilling
Q: What’s your position on the federal role in water quality?STABENOW: I authored the first ban on Great Lakes drilling. You can’t live here and not love the Great Lakes. We have a serious set of issues on our hands -- we’re tackling a
10 year plan to protect endangered species.
BOUCHARD: Water diversion shouldn’t happen. We need to protect that. We don’t need a lot of money to protect against carp - only $20M. We need someone who will actually get something done to get results.
Source: 2006 Michigan Senate Debate in Grand Rapids
Oct 15, 2006
Mike Bouchard:
Water diversions shouldn’t happen
Q: What’s your position on the federal role in water quality?STABENOW: I authored the first ban on Great Lakes drilling. You can’t live here and not love the Great Lakes. We have a serious set of issues on our hands -- we’re tackling a
10 year plan to protect endangered species.
BOUCHARD: Water diversion shouldn’t happen. We need to protect that. We don’t need a lot of money to protect against carp - only $20M. We need someone who will actually get something done to get results.
Source: 2006 Michigan Senate Debate in Grand Rapids
Oct 15, 2006
John Engler:
More investment of Natural Resources Trust Fund
Conserving Michigan’s land resources has also been a focus. In fact, during the past decade, more than 46,000 acres of land were acquired by the state and local governments for public use. Much of that land was paid for by the Natural Resources Trust
Fund (NRTF). We will do even better if our State Treasurer is allowed the investment options for the NRTF approved for other state funds. I support this constitutional amendment to increase the return on investment and allow for additional conservation.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature
Jan 31, 2001
Mike Bishop:
Suspend federally-mandated environmental protection
Bishop indicates support of the following principles regarding the environment and energy.- Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
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Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
- Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
- Support funding for recycling programs in Michigan.
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Suspend participation in un-funded, federally-mandated environmental protection legislation.
Source: 2000 Michigan National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2000
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021