The cities of Hamtramck and Windsor joined 14 environmental and community groups and nearly 100 Detroiters to petition the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to reduce emissions at Detroit’s municipal trash incinerator. But how responsive will the state be?
The big machine, located at Russell and Ferry streets, burns all trash collected in Detroit at a cost of $70 million a year and is up for a new state permit. The petitioners want the state to deny the permit unless more pollution controls are required. Currently, 1,800 tons of nitrogen oxide, mercury and volatile organic compounds are released each year. “Air pollution from the incinerator is jeopardizing the health of Detroiters, particularly our children and the elderly who live in its shadow,” says Donele Wilkins, executive director of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice.
Lisa M. Collins is a Metro Times staff writer. E-mail [email protected]
