Major Fine for Michigan Power Company in Air Probe
One of Michigan's major power companies has been hit with a $100 million fine for a violation of the Clean Air Act.
Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act, enacted in 1970, was established to address severe and widespread air pollution, including the thick, hazardous smog that blanketed many industrial cities, posing serious risks to public health and the environment.
The Clean Air Act was established to create federally enforceable air quality standards, curb harmful emissions from vehicles and industries, and advance cleaner air nationwide.
The Environmental Protection Agency establishes standards for common air pollutants, while individual states are responsible for developing and implementing plans to meet those standards. In 1990, amendments were introduced to address acid rain, toxic air emissions, and the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.
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State, local, and tribal governments partner with the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce air quality regulations, and organizations that fail to comply can face penalties, as recently happened when a Michigan power company was fined.
Michigan Power Co. to Pay $100M Clean Air Fine
According to WXYZ-TV, DTE Energy has been fined $100 million by a federal court judge over pollution from one of its subsidiaries located on Zug Island, with the court stating that the facility violated the Clean Air Act.
The judge said that DTE Energy emissions from the Zug Island factory causes asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and increased blood pressure.
DTE plans to appeal the ruling
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