LANSING — State Representative Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor) announced his gratitude today for three separate awards given to Washtenaw County by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which will utilize funds from the State Revolving Fund to improve resource quality and reduce pollution.
“It is a poorly kept secret at this point that Michigan’s struggling infrastructure includes more than just our roads,” Zemke said. “It is crucial for us to identify and implement methods for more efficient energy usage, as well as to achieve the highest quality of resources for Michigan residents. That is what makes these awards so valuable to Washtenaw County and the surrounding areas.”
The Huron River Green Infrastructure Drainage District received $330,000 to be used in planting trees near streets in Ann Arbor for several years. The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) received the other two loans. One loan, for $4 million, is to help replace trestles carrying sanitary sewers in order to reduce pollution risks to Tyler Pond. The second loan, for $1.995 million, is intended for improvements at the McGregor Effluent Pump Station to increase reliability and decrease energy consumption at the pumps.
“I would like to thank DEQ for these generous awards to Washtenaw County,” Zemke said. “We only have one shot at maintaining the quality and safety of our environment, and these loans will go a long way in ensuring that Michigan’s natural environment remains rich and clean for generations to come.”
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