Michigan DEQ Proposing Plan to Reduce Sulfur Dioxide Emissions in Southwest Detroit

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is decreasing sulfur dioxide emission limits in southwest Detroit. Officials are working with area manufacturers to use new pollution control equipment and get new permits. DEQ spokesperson Karen Tommasulo says the new plan is a response to revised emission standards from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

“The air that those residents are breathing in right now meets air quality standards. It didn’t initially in 2010 when the standard got lowered, but we were already working on reductions to bring down sulfur dioxide emissions.”

-Karen Tommasulo, Michigan DEQ

Tommasulo says though the regulations will continue to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in the area, they are mostly procedural. She says the new plan is open to public comment through October 5th.