Environmentalists say DEQ isn't doing enough
MARQUETTE / L’ANSE — The Friends of the Land of Keweenaw held a press conference outside of the Marquette DEQ office today. FOLK expressed their concern with the L’Anse Warden Electric Company and their discontent with the way the DEQ is handling the situation.
In the beginning, members of FOLK wanted the electric company to be re–classified as an incinerator, because that would make them susceptible to stricter regulations.
But they’ve decided they don’t feel that’s enough anymore.
“Because of the experience we’ve had with the DEQ and their lack of enforcement of the regulations they already have,” said Catherine Andrews of FOLK, “a lot of the local residents believe that it would be in the best interest of the community to convert back to natural gas.”
Upper Peninsula DEQ District Coordinator Steve Casey responded saying that the timeline has been completely normal.
“The EPA,” said Upper Peninsula DEQ District Coordinator Steve Casey, “the state is implementing federal law; the Clean Air Act. The EPA oversees that. We’re in enforcement negotiations and we’re working with our lawyers and their lawyers to get a consent agreement that will resolve their violations.”
As a result of community concerns a meeting has been scheduled for May 9th, for members of the public to address their concerns.
Representatives from the DEQ and EPA will be in attendance.