State regulators fine Stellantis, require changes at Jefferson North plant over pollution
Automaker Stellantis has agreed to pay a fine of just over $84,000 to state environmental regulators and change practices at the paint shops at its Jefferson North facility after allegedly violating state air quality rules.
The public can comment through Jan. 23 on the proposed consent order between the company and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
EGLE found that the Jefferson North paint shops violated air permits in their emission of potentially health-harming volatile organic compounds, or VOC. The company's permits allowed for the release of 4.8 pounds of VOC per job based on a 12-month rolling period, but the company in September 2022 was found to have an emission rate of 5.01 pounds of VOC per job.
Stellantis must demonstrate that the Jefferson North plant paint shops are meeting the permitted limit of 4.8 pounds of VOC per job by March 1.
Fines Stellantis could face if it can't clean up its emissions
Beginning in April, if the number is again exceeded in the previous three-month quarter, company officials must submit to EGLE's Air Quality Division Detroit district supervisor an emission mitigation plan that requires state approval. The plan must include the cause for increased emissions, interim actions taken to minimize them and company personnel responsible for the actions being taken. The company would then be required to record and maintain records showing its activities to reduce emissions.
Failure to follow the plan could result in additional fines of $4,000 per month or $1,500 per violation per day.“Through this proposed Consent Order, EGLE’s goal is to ensure production activities at the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly Plant are protective of public health and the environment," EGLE spokeswoman Jill Greenberg said.
The 3-million-square-foot Jefferson North Assembly Plant, at 2101 Conner St. in Detroit, is part of Stellantis' vast Detroit Complex, historically making Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.
Stellantis explains the emissions
Company spokeswoman Jodi Tinson, in a statement, said overall VOC emissions from the Jefferson North facility were actually "well below our permitted allowable emission rate," but because the plant had been operating at lower-than-normal volumes as it ramped up production of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, "emissions per vehicle increased because we were making fewer vehicles."
"Our painting processes and emissions controls were functioning properly, and there was no increased exposure risk to the community," she said. "We have implemented improvements and process changes that we are confident have brought our numbers back into compliance."
The proposed consent order will be in place for at least three years, after which time the company can request to terminate it.
This is not the first time Stellantis has faced environmental violations related to its auto painting. EGLE last year found Stellantis in violation for odors emanating from its Mack Avenue paint and coatings shop — at least the 12th such finding since the automaker's expanded Mack complex opened in June 2021. The company's fine for that repeat offense was $5,000, an amount that outraged some in the community.
"We think it's a joke, but it's not funny," said Paul Jackson, co-executive director of the nonprofit East Michigan Environmental Action Council.
"We know these corporations are treating these fines as minutiae, in terms of what they do to cut costs and pursue and maximize profits. It's a business expense."
More: Michigan's minority neighborhoods often bear brunt of pollution
Public comments on the proposed consent order will be taken by EGLE through Jan. 23. They can be made via email to MoranE@michigan.gov; via voicemail to 517-284-0900, or via mail to:Erin Moran, Enforcement UnitEGLE AQDP.O. Box 30260Lansing, MI 48909-7760.
Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Stellantis agrees to fine, changes after air permit violations
