SENATE BILLS MOVE FORWARD WITH AIM TO IMPROVE MDEQ RULE-MAKING
Sausalito, CA. June 12, 2018 -Senate Bills 652-654 proposed by the Michigan House Competitiveness Committee have been approved in the House by a narrow vote. The bill moves on to the Senate for a concurrence vote before it is sent to the governor for final approval.
At its core, the bill is aimed at improving administrative rulemaking by providing for increased transparency and accountability in the DEQ. The proposal is intended to address faulty processes in DEQ's regulation in the following ways:
- SB 654 reestablishes an Environmental Science Advisory Board to hear scientific evidence and provide recommendation to the g
- SB 652 would create an 11-member stakeholder committee to review, amend, deny and approve DEQ rule promulgation.
- SB 653 would establish an appeals board that, upon request, would serve as a scientific permit review panel to hear an appeal by a permit applicant that has been denied by the DEQ.
Opposition for the bill is centered around concerns about SB 654's creation of an advisory body made up of members of companies with vested interests in DEQ decisions. Nonetheless, the bill has received wide support from various groups, including the Michigan Chambers which praises the "openness and accountability and transparency in DEQ rule-making" the bill will bring.
Source: JD Supra, LLC
SENATOR TOM CASPERSON EXPLAINS MDEQ BILL PACKAGE
Stephenson, MI. April 2, 2018 - Senator Tom Casperson is proposing Senate Bills 652-654, which are designed to increase transparency and accountability at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality("MDEQ") for all stakeholders. The aim is to let fact and science, rather than personal opinion, dictate permit decisions.
Source: TV6
MINING INDUSTRY SET FOR COMEBACK IN WISCONSIN
GREEN BAY, WI. Feb. 11, 2018 - Modern mining is very different from mining in the past. Today's mining is driven largely by technology and guided by regulations devoted to protecting the environment.
Virtually everything in our lives (food, education, entertainment, communication, clean energy, healthcare) is dependent on mining in some way. Basically, have a look at anything around you and apply the following simple rubric: “If it wasn’t grown, it was mined".
Source: NBC26 Green Bay
OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY BILL 499
STEPHENSON, Mich. Dec. 18, 2017 – Aquila Resources today issued the following statement from Chantae Lessard, director social performance and engagement, in response to the recent passage of Wisconsin Assembly Bill 499.
“We applaud Governor Walker and GOP leaders for driving the change to ensure mining companies can invest in exploration activities in Wisconsin. The ‘Mining for America’ bill will benefit the region with jobs and economic investment. While we do have early-stage assets in Marathon and Taylor counties in Wisconsin, it’s far too early to know if these resources will develop into mines. We may conduct exploration activities at these sites in late 2018. Our focus remains on developing the Back Forty Mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula”.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at 906-753-9602, email us, or send us a message through our website.
