Environmental Protection Agency

The Trump administration is cancelling or defunding a number of initiatives that have been investing in environmental and energy justice. These are programs that, in some cases, have a direct impact on Washtenaw County. The Biden-era Justice40 program has been cancelled. WEMU's David Fair spoke with one of the architects of that program, Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome, who is the former White House Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer and is founder and CEO of Empowering a Green Environment and Economy, LLC.

The Trump Administration has been slashing government in a variety of areas, including the Environmental Protection Agency. Region 5 of the EPA covers the Great Lakes area and includes Washtenaw County. The layoffs have the potential to impact the agency’s ability to steward the environment around the world’s largest body of fresh water. And the impact on public health could be significant. Loreen Targos is Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees-Local 704, which represents about 1,000 EPA workers. She spoke with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak about employee cuts and the implications.

The Trump administration has rolled back a Biden administration plan that would have set more stringent PFAS discharge limits into water sources. The Huron River is already contaminated with the forever chemicals. WEMU's David Fair checked in with Huron River Watershed Council executive director Rebecca Esselman, who gave an update on the current health of the Huron and what rollbacks in environmental protections may mean for the future health of the river.

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell says she’s busier than ever, with many local federal employees voicing concerns over recent budget cuts. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.

The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) is looking for heavy metal. This past summer, the YCUA recieved funding as part of the Environmental Protection Agency's "Get the Lead Out" initiative. It's designed to remove lead water pipes that can impact drinking water. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale provides more details on the work being done in Ypsilanti area in a conversation with YCUA executive director Luke Blackburn on this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

A2 Water for the City of Ann Arbor has released its first quarterly report this year concerning the Gelman plume and 1,4 dioxane contamination. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. The Washtenaw County Health Department is urging residents to get their homes tested. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

For the past year-and-a-half, Ann Arbor's David Uhlmann has been working for the Environmental Protection Agency on compliance and accountability issues. Progress has been made. With the new administration, Uhlmann will move out of his position. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak take a look back and ahead with Uhlmann as we transition into the new year and new leadership.

The Ypsilanti City Council heard an update Tuesday night regarding the cleanup of the lead and PCB contaminants at the Water Street parcel and when redevelopment might be able to take place. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The environmental group Route Zero is outlining their hopes of having more zero-emission vehicles on the road. WEMU's Ana Longoria reports.