The impending changes to measuring compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act will have a profound impact on the West Michigan community in the years ahead. Grand Valley's Public Policy Institute is holding a public forum featuring a broad spectrum of viewpoints, including environmental, public health, economic development, regulatory, and legislative perspectives. There will also be opportunity for questions from the audience.
The forum is in GVSUs Loosemore Auditorium on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus on Monday, May 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Under the old rules, no Michigan counties were in violation. But under the new rules, most of the counties in southwestern Michigan are out of compliance, as well as seven southeastern Michigan counties including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Livingston. A total of 25 counties in the state will be out of compliance.
The new regulations are part of a nationwide push to reduce the health risks from smog. The standards lower the level of acceptable ozone-causing air pollution and force states to take steps to cut emissions from cars, smokestacks or other sources.
The event is broken into two panels. The first panel, "Framing the issue from a regulatory perspective," runs from 8:40-9:50 a.m. Speakers include John Mooney, EPA Region 5; Vince Hellwig, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; U.S. Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers and State Sen. Patricia Birkholz
The second panel, "Community Impacts from local perspectives, runs from 10:15-11:15 a.m. Speakers include representatives from the West Michigan Environmental Action Council Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Grand Valley Metro Council, Consumers Power Co. and the public health sector. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Visit the Grand Valley Continuing Education Web site at www.gvsu.edu/ce for more information.
