LANSING — Gov. Whitmer took action this morning to address Michigan’s ongoing water crises, signing two executive orders and one executive directive. The executive orders would create a new Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, as well as form a PFAS Action Response Team, while her executive order will enter Michigan into the U.S. Climate Alliance to advance the goals of the Paris Agreement, which the U.S. withdrew from in 2017. In response, state Rep. Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Township), Democratic vice chair of the House Energy Committee, issued the following statement:

“Too many of our communities throughout Michigan are questioning the safety of their drinking water, lakes and fish because of the water crises facing our state. It is refreshing to have a governor who is prioritizing the severity of this issue and will work with us to address the contaminants in our taps, the PFAS in the Huron River, and the dioxane in our townships. I am looking forward to working with this new department in the Legislature and in our community to ensure access to clean water and affordable, clean energy is available for all Michigan families.”

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