Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - On August 11, the Sierra Club filed a petition for reconsideration of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to omit Ottawa County from the agency’s list of areas across the country that are out of attainment with health-based federal ozone (smog pollution) standards. Sierra Club won a court order in 2020 requiring EPA to revisit the agency’s 2018 decision to designate Ottawa County as an attainment area. EPA announced its decision to maintain that designation in June. A nonattainment designation triggers stricter rules for permitting new sources of pollution in the area, and requires that the state come up with a plan to bring the area back into attainment. The Clean Air Act makes clear that any county with pollution that has monitored violations of an air standard, or is contributing to monitored violations of an air standard, should be designated nonattainment. Local concern about health risks is especially high because of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased outdoor time due to social distancing.
"Ozone pollution prevents me and my neighbors from being able to fully enjoy the beauty and pleasure of West Michigan’s outdoor spaces” said Don Munski, a Sierra Club member from Norton Shores. “I hope the EPA decides to prioritize cleaner air for the people of West Michigan!"
“Ottawa county is a beautiful and diverse community, where each individual deserves to live in healthy, safe neighborhoods with clean air and a beautiful natural environment for all to enjoy for generations to come,” said Shanley Smith-Poole, a Holland Climate Collaborative member. “I hope that the people of our Ottawa community are fairly and meaningfully included in this important policy to protect our human right to clean air.”
EPA designated a 7-county ozone nonattainment area in Southeast Michigan near Detroit, as well as portions of several counties in Western Michigan (Muskegon, Allegan, and Berrien), but it did not include Ottawa County. Largely due to pollution from Consumers Energy’s J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant, Ottawa County is also the source of more ozone precursors (NOx and VOCs) than these other counties. Computer modeling and analysis of weather patterns show that Ottawa County's pollution -- including from the Campbell plant -- is contributing to the problems in nearby counties. Monitoring data from 2018-2020 also shows that Ottawa County’s own monitor is violating the federal air standard for ozone.
The J.H. Campbell coal plant is the biggest source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in West Michigan. According to the American Lung Association's State of the Air Report, Ottawa County (where the plant is located) received a “C” grade and neighboring Kent County received an "F" for air pollution in 2020. The plant is also a major water polluter, as a 2018 report also showed West Olive facilities to have disposed of 13,200 pounds of toxic chemicals into the water. The Campbell plant is the only reporting facility in West Olive, indicating all of that pollution came from the plant. The Campbell coal-burning power plant is also the single largest source of sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5) in the West Michigan region. The Clean Air Task Force estimates the Campbell plant is responsible for 79 deaths, 504 asthma attacks, and 3,763 lost workdays per year. In their latest integrated resource plan, Consumers Energy proposed retiring the Campbell plant in 2025, which would dramatically reduce ozone precursor pollution in West Michigan. This proposal is currently under review by the Michigan Public Service Commission.
“There's nothing like summertime in Ottawa County, where so many people enjoy biking, beaches and other outdoor activities. It's a place both residents and visitors should be able to breathe without being affected by dangerous air pollutants that can harm our health,” said Elizabeth Crowe, a Sierra Club member who grew up in Holland and frequently visits her hometown. “I support this request to the EPA because the more we know about air pollution sources and hazards, the more we can do something about it. I hope the EPA decides to prioritize cleaner air and better health protections for my family, lifelong friends, and other Ottawa County community members."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.