EGLE Permit Requirements
FCA US, LLCResponse to Comments Document Page 3 of 26April 26, 2019
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/
II. PERMIT CONDITIONS REQUESTED BY THE APPLICANT
- The permittee shall implement an enhanced air monitoring program at the facility to address citizen concerns. No less than 180 days after beginning construction pursuant to Permit to Install No. 14-19, the permittee shall submit a monitoring plan for the enhanced air monitoring program to the AQD Air Monitoring Unit. The plan shall include specific information regarding the number of locations, pollutants to be monitored, instrumentation and methodologies proposed for operation of the monitoring sites. Following approval of a plan, the permittee shall begin monitoring all specified pollutants, according to the approved plan, no later than the date of startup of the Mack Avenue Assembly Plant. Monitoring shall continue for at least ten years.3 (R 336.1201(3))
- The permittee shall keep records of all air monitoring data collected in the air monitoring program. The permittee shall submit all records to the AQD Air Monitoring Unit in an acceptable format within 45 days following the end of the quarter in which the data were collected.3 (R 336.1201(3))
- The permittee shall work with the City of Detroit, through the Community Benefits Ordinance to identify additional projects for the community surrounding the facility. No less than 180 days after beginning construction pursuant to Permit to Install No. 14-19, the permittee shall submit to the AQD District Supervisor and AQD Permit Section Manager a plan for the additional projects. Some examples of additional projects may include the installation of filters at area residences and local schools or fence-line monitoring.3 (R 336.1201(3))
On Friday, April 27, 2019, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) announced the issuance of Fiat Chrysler America (FCA) air permits with additional monitoring and community benefit requirements. In addition to land assembly, approval of a community benefits package by the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC), zoning approvals and other planning, these EGLE permits are one of many moving parts to finalize the Fiat Chrysler expansion.
- The permits are for the installation of a new assembly line and emissions increase in Detroit’s Lower East Side and a reduction in emissions at their existing facility in Warren.
- Both plants are within an EPA designated nonattainment area for ozone, which means that ozone levels are above national, health-based air quality standards.
- Detroit’s Eastside has some of the highest asthma rates in the city.
Many impact area residents and environmental justice advocates submitted comments at the April 19th public hearing hosted by EGLE (then named MEDQ) at Southeastern High School. In the closing days of the negotiations around the community benefits package with Fiat Chrysler, resident concern about the environmental and health impacts of the plant and other pertinent issues came to the forefront.
The EGLE press release states; “As part of the public comment period and public hearing… there were several requests for air monitoring near the facility and for additional work with the community to identify projects that would have local benefit.” Mary Ann Dolehanty, EGLE Air Quality Division Director is quoted; “Those comments led to the inclusion of both additional air monitoring and community benefit requirements in the permits that were issued today.”
While we are still learning details about the planning and implementation of these aspect of the permits, we want to recognize the residents of the impact area who organized around these issues and spoke out about the reality of public health in their community to influence outcomes here. Along with residents and the environmental justice community, Equitable Detroit
Read the full EGLE press release: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDEQ/bulletins/2412a2c
EGLE Issues FCA Air Permits with Additional Monitoring and Community Benefit Requirements
For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2019
For More Information:
Annette Switzer, SWITZERA2@michigan.gov, 517-284-6803
Jill A. Greenberg, EGLE Public Information Officer, 517-897-4965
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Air Quality Division today announced the approval of air permit applications submitted by FCA US LLC for a new auto assembly line and required emission offsets. The Permits to Install (PTI), 13-19 and 14-19, also include additional monitoring and community benefit requirements in response to community input. The new assembly line will be located at the existing Mack Avenue Assembly Plant.
“Public comments and feedback that we received regarding the FCA application were overwhelmingly focused on the protection of public health in the area surrounding the plant and ensuring community benefits,” said Mary Ann Dolehanty, EGLE Air Quality Division Director. “Those comments led to the inclusion of both additional air monitoring and community benefit requirements in the permits that were issued today.”
As part of the public comment period and public hearing that were held in conjunction with the FCA application process, there were several requests for air monitoring near the facility and for additional work with the community to identify projects that would have local benefit.
Based on the comments received and concerns expressed by the community, FCA requested that the Air Quality Division add requirements to its Mack Avenue Assembly Plant Permit for air monitoring and continued efforts to identify additional community benefits projects. The new permit conditions require FCA to submit plans to the Air Quality Division for review and approval.
The permits were issued for the installation of a new automotive assembly line at 11570 Warren Avenue East in Detroit that will include an increase in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions (PTI No. 14-19) and a reduction of allowable (VOC) emissions (PTI No.13-19) for the existing facility at 21500 Mound Road in Warren. Both facilities are within the boundaries of the U.S. EPA designated nonattainment area for ozone in southeast Michigan.
For more information regarding the permit decisions, please visit: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/cwerp.shtml
