UPDATE 7:00 PM THURSDAY: The Senate Oversight Committee debated rescinding the executive orders but took no vote Thursday. Hearings will continue next week - KEEP UP THE PRESSURE by calling the Senators listed below!
UPDATE 5:15 PM WEDNESDAY: The House voted along party lines to overturn the executive orders. It could be voted on in the Senate as early as this Thursday.
We urgently need your help calling lawmakers TODAY to protect new critical action on climate change in Michigan. A Senate vote could happen early the week of Feb. 11. This has already passed in the House.
On Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued executive orders to reorganize the MDEQ into a new Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and create a new Office of Climate and Energy.
The executive orders are strong. They also eliminate the environmental rules review and permit oversight committees that were created by the legislature last year in the "Fox Guarding the Hen House" legislation, panels dominated by industry representatives. And they create Environmental Justice and Clean Water Advocate positions within the Department.
Voters overwhelmingly chose to support a new pro-climate and environment approach by electing Gov. Whitmer. Some in the legislature now want to claw back these positive changes and overturn the executive orders. They can do this with a simple majority vote, but we have a chance to get the Senate to prevent this from happening.
Call These Legislators To Prevent This Rollback
Sen. Wayne Schmidt 517-373-2413
Sen. John Bumstead 517-373-1635
Sen. Ruth Johnson 517-373-1636
Sen. Roger Victory 517-373-6920
Sen. Curt VanderWall 517-373-1725
Sen. Dale Zorn 517-373-3543
Please also call your Senator, too: Find their number (the Upper Chamber) here.
When you've made the call, report your call here!
THE ASK
State your name and where you are calling from. Mention one or more of these and why it's important to you.
- Please support the new executive orders and vote no on any resolution to overturn them.
- The Office of Climate and Energy created by these executive orders is an important step to address the threat of climate change.
- We need a concentrated effort to mitigate PFAS and clean up drinking water, and these new executive orders strengthen Michigan's ability to do this.
Thank you.