A public hearing has been requested for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) proposal to request to redesignate a portion of Wayne County back to attainment for sulfur dioxide (SO₂). The public hearing will be held on January 28, 2025. Details on how to attend the hearing are included below.

Tell us what you think:

The public is encouraged to review the redesignation request document for more detailed information before commenting.

Comments may be given at any time before the end of the comment period on January 28^th. You may provide comments on the proposal in any of these ways.

• At the virtual public hearing at 6:00 pm on January 28

The public may join the broadcast at: https://bit.ly/4acTGxU or call 636-651-3142 and use conference code 374288. An informational session with an opportunity to ask questions of EGLE staff will be immediately followed by the public hearing.

• By email: ShuffE@Michigan.gov

• By U.S. mail: EGLE, Air Quality Division, Attn: Erica Shuff, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, Michigan 48909- 7760.

Technical Details:

SO₂ is one of six commonly found pollutants called criteria air pollutants. These pollutants can harm your health and the environment. To protect the public, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has created National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) at specific levels designed to reduce exposure and risk. When an area exceeds a NAAQS, it may be designated as nonattainment. To return the area to attainment of the standard, the state has to take steps to reduce that pollutant in the outdoor air. 

After years of working toward attainment, the analysis shows that the SO₂ partial Wayne County Nonattainment Area meets the redesignation requirements under Section 107(d)(3) of the Clean Air Act and USEPA guidance. EGLE has demonstrated that air quality improvements are due to permanent and enforceable measures. As a result of the SO₂ emission limits put in place and the closure of the DTE River Rouge and Trenton Channel facilities, SO₂ concentrations in this area are below the NAAQS. These measures ensure the area will continue to maintain compliance with the 2010 primary 1-hour SO₂ standard. EGLE has demonstrated in our State Implementation Plan document that all Clean Air Act requirements necessary to support redesignation have been met.

Questions:

If you have questions about the proposed request for redesignation or how to comment contact Erica Shuff at ShuffE@Michigan.gov or 517-897-0791.