Ensuring safe drinking water crucial to Michigan’s future economy
LANSING (December 11, 2018) – Michigan water utilities and municipal officials today filed a lawsuit to roll back the state’s new Lead and Copper Rule which mandates the replacement of lead service lines throughout the state to prevent another crisis like we saw in Flint in 2014.
“Rolling back protections on our state’s drinking water is irresponsible and negatively impacts businesses that rely on safe, clean water for their operations,” said E2 Midwest States Advocate Micaela Preskill.
With the water crisis in Flint still ongoing, Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule is critical to helping the state replace its lead pipes and begin investing in water technology and innovation that can protect drinking water for all Michiganders.
“My business relies on fresh clean water as the main ingredient in our product. Without clean water, we can’t serve beer, and without beer – we have no business,” said Mark Sellers, Founder of HopCat and Grand Rapids Brewing Company.
Reliable infrastructure is critical to Michigan businesses and their communities, but the state currently ranks last in the U.S. for state and local contributions to total infrastructure spending. Michigan’s failing water infrastructure is a risk to Michigan businesses and our economy.
“The State of Michigan is gaining a reputation for having bad water, which is bad for business -we cannot afford to have another Flint,” said Dave Petroelje, Owner of City Built Brewery.
Additional Information:
- More information on the pending lawsuit against the Lead and Copper Rule, including a list of cities participating click here.
###
Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.