Press Release
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VAN BUREN TWP., Mich., July 23, 2025 — State Rep. Reggie Miller (D–Van Buren Twp.) issued the following statement after today’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announcement that radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project will not be shipped to Wayne County: “This win could not have been achieved without the collaborative efforts of concerned citizens and activists, local communities, and elected officials. You made your voices heard, and your organized efforts kept the pressure on to impact this outcome. This is a direct result of our dedicated residents raising their voices and saying: you will not endanger the health of our communities. Not here, not now and not ever. We are not your dumping ground. Period. “Make no mistake about it, this decision was not made out of goodwill. It was made because everyday residents raised their voices and refused to back down. This is a small victory for the people of Van Buren Township and the surrounding communities who demanded to be heard, and a win for environmental justice and public health. “This case was never about one shipment. It’s about a dangerous pattern of importing radioactive waste into Michigan without proper safeguards, transparency, or public input. A reroute is a win, but the fight for permanent protections is far from over. While we fight to stop radioactive waste from entering our state, permits have been filed requesting to expand the landfill even more, which is outrageous. “The ongoing court case must receive a ruling based on the facts presented during the hearings, so my constituents know their community will be safe in the future. The people of Wayne County are owed more than a desperate effort to mitigate the situation with PR stunts about community engagement to shift the narrative and minimize damage. “Radioactive waste has no business coming through our neighborhoods without local input or consent. Wayne County families deserve to know their health and safety will never be put up for negotiation. We cannot let legal maneuvering distract from the real issue: protecting our water, air, and health. My bill is still on the table, and I will keep continuing on in this fight.” ### A pending lawsuit could decide whether radioactive waste could come into Michigan in the future. In the Legislature, Rep. Miller and state Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) have introduced House Bill 4393 and Senate Bill 246, respectively, which would ban radioactive waste disposal in Michigan and hold polluters accountable. |