EGLE application deadlines for electronics recycling grants

EGLE application deadlines for electronics recycling grants

by | May 10, 2022 | Environmental

 
EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2022
Steven Noble, Electronics Recycling Specialist, [email protected] 517-449-6153
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

EGLE announces funding and application deadlines for electronics recycling grants

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announces $250,000 in available funding for Rural Electronics Grants. The deadline for grant applications is July 2, 2022.

This grant opportunity will support increased access to proper electronics recycling in the rural areas of the state. Grants can be used to support improvements to current collection facilities; support electronics recycling events leading up to the establishment of new permanent collection locations; support the collection, handling and proper recycling of consumer electronics; provide education to residents on the proper collection, handling and recycling of household batteries; and upgrade operations to provide increased efficiency at registered electronics recyclers.

The funding is made available through the Renew Michigan Fund. Eligible entities include cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, tribal governments, conservation districts, municipal solid waste or resource recovery authorities, non-profit organizations, health departments, colleges or universities, and regional planning agencies. For-profit Michigan-based registered electronics recyclers are eligible for operational improvement funds.

The maximum request amount per collection location and collection event grants is $20,000 per location. Other grants are available at lesser amounts. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal with the Electronics Program staff in EGLE’s Materials Management Division prior to submittal. Funds are available on a first-come first-served basis.

To view the Request for Proposal and for more information about the EGLE recycling grants program, go to Michigan.gov/MIRecycles. Click on the Grants tab and scroll down to the electronics section.

Stay up to date on other EGLE news at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.

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EGLE COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on EGLE’s work during the pandemic, visit this webpage. Follow state guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

92 projects to collect, recycle scrap tires

by | Mar 15, 2022 | Environmental

 
EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2022
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278
Kirsten Clemens, Scrap Tire Program Coordinator, [email protected], 517-614-7431

EGLE awards funding for 92 projects to collect, recycle scrap tires

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced today that it has awarded $674,000 in grants to fund 92 community scrap tire drop-off events and other tire cleanups across the state.

Community events provide affordable, convenient, tire recycling opportunities to residents, including the creation of yearlong collections sites and roadside pickups.  Additionally, eight grant projects will fund the removal of old scrap tire piles at private properties.

Improperly dumped, scrap tires pose a fire hazard and create mosquito breeding grounds.  Recycled scrap tires can be used in asphalt to pave roads, as mulch in gardens and playgrounds, and in manufacturing processes.

The full list of grantees includes:

COUNTY GRANTEE AMOUNT
All Upper Peninsula Counties Superior Watershed Partnership 50,000
7 counties Van Buren Conservation District 72,000
Alcona Alcona County 2,000
Allegan Private Property Cleanup 4,000
Alpena Northeast Michigan Council of Governments 8,220
Antrim Antrim Conservation District 6,150
Antrim Banks Township 2,039
Arenac Private Property Cleanup 16,000
Arenac Arenac Conservation District 8,000
Barry Barry County 6,000
Bay Bay City 4,000
Bay Bay County Mosquito Control 8,000
Benzie Benzie County Solid Waste & Recycling 8,052
Calhoun Calhoun County 14,000
Charlevoix Charlevoix County 12,575
Chippewa City of Sault Ste Marie 4,278
Clare Clare County Conservation District 6,000
Clinton Bath Charter Township 4,000
Dickinson Breitung Township 10,000
Genesee Private Property Cleanup 1,000
Genesee City of Flint 10,000
Genesee Flushing Township 2,000
Genesee Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission 8,000
Gogebic City of Wakefield 12,360
Gogebic Gogebic Conservation District 2,065
Grand Traverse Grand Traverse Co Resource Recovery Dept 6,048
Gratiot Private Property Cleanup 2,000
Gratiot Private Property Cleanup 6,000
Gratiot Seville Township 2,000
Hillsdale Hillsdale Conservation District 16,000
Hillsdale Somerset Township 2,000
Houghton Calumet Township 2,150
Ingham Bunkerhill Township 8,000
Ingham Onondaga Township 2,000
Ingham Stockbridge Township 2,000
Iosco Burleigh Township 2,000
Iosco Grant Township 4,000
Iosco Iosco Conservation District 4,000
Iosco Plainfield Township 8,000
Iron Iron River, City Of 2,000
Isabella Village Of Lake Isabella 2,000
Jackson Jackson County Conservation District 14,000
Kalamazoo Pavilion Twp 2,000
Kalkaska Kalkaska Conservation District 4,000
Lake Webber Township 2,021
Lapeer Almont Township 2,000
Lapeer Burnside Township 2,000
Lapeer Elba Township 2,000
Lapeer Goodland Township 2,000
Lapeer Hadley Township 2,000
Lapeer Marathon Township 4,000
Leelanau Leelanau County 4,188
Lenawee Lenawee County 6,000
Livingston Cohoctah Township 2,000
Livingston Livingston County DPW 4,000
Mackinac Portage Township 4,488
Macomb Private Property Cleanup 6,000
Manistee Private Property Cleanup 2,077
Manistee Manistee Conservation District 8,000
Midland Midland County Mosquito Control 4,000
Midland Warren Township 2,000
Monroe London Township 4,000
Monroe Monroe County 12,000
Montcalm Montcalm Conservation District 8,000
Montcalm Reynolds Township 4,000
Montcalm Richland Township 4,000
Muskegon Muskegon County 32,000
Muskegon Sullivan Township 2,038
Newaygo Newaygo County 8,164
Oakland Springfield Township 2,000
Oceana Hart Township 6,000
Oceana Oceana Conservation District 4,020
Ogemaw Cumming Township 2,000
Ogemaw Mills Township 4,000
Osceola Middle Branch Township 10,000
Osceola-Lake Osceola-Lake Conservation District 4,000
Oscoda Big Creek Township 2,025
Otsego Otsego Conservation District 4,276
Ottawa Ottawa County Environmental Health 4,000
Saginaw Bridgeport Charter Township 4,000
Saginaw Buena Vista Township 2,000
Saginaw Saginaw Conservation District 6,000
Saginaw Saginaw Mosquito Control 6,000
Sanilac Flynn Township 4,000
Schoolcraft Schoolcraft Conservation District 2,168
Shiawassee Shiawassee Farm Bureau 4,000
St Clair China Township 2,000
St Joseph St Joseph County 6,000
Washtenaw Washtenaw County Public Works 14,000
Wayne Greater Detroit Resource Recovery 75,000
Wayne Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision 6,000
Wexford South Branch Township 2,000
  TOTAL: 674,000

For more information, call the EGLE’s Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278, or visit Michigan’s Scrap Tire Program:  Mi.gov/ScrapTires.

Stay up to date on other EGLE news at Michigan.gov/MiEnvironment.

Save water and money during Fix a Leak Week

by | Mar 14, 2022 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2022
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

Kristina Donaldson, Clean Water Public Advocate, [email protected], 517-285-8140

Save water and money during Fix a Leak Week

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) kicked off Fix a Leak Week today, which is aimed at educating residents on the importance of fixing plumbing leaks to save money on water and energy bills.

Fix a Leak week is an annual event created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and supported by WaterSense partners across the U.S. and Canada. During this week, EGLE’s Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate will provide some practical tips on finding and fixing household leaks and spotlight free home energy efficiency programs offered by some utilities within the state.

“Fixing water leaks in home plumbing can reduce consumer water bills and prevent water damage within the home,” said Kris Donaldson, EGLE’s Clean Water Public Advocate. “Investments in water conservation are essential to reducing energy consumption and the associated costs while striving toward environmental sustainability.”

Residents are encouraged to get involved and track down leaks in their home using the EPA’s at-home checklist or by watching our previous Clean Water Public Advocate demonstrate some quick and easy tips to find leaks. Share a photo and tag your post with #FixALeakWeek and #IFixLeaks!

Some energy utilities within the state offer free at-home energy efficiency assessments to qualifying customers. These can include a basic home walkthrough and installation of energy-efficient products, such as faucet aerators, lightbulbs or showerheads. Contact your energy utility to find out what programs they offer.

More information about Fix a Leak Week is available at Michigan.gov/FixALeakWeek. For more information about the Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate visit Michigan.gov/CleanWater.

To stay up to date on other EGLE news follow us at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.
State of the Great Lakes report topics

State of the Great Lakes report topics

by | Mar 1, 2022 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2022
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

Clean water investments, algal blooms, fisheries among annual State of the Great Lakes report topics

Significant issues affecting the Great Lakes from algal blooms to the historic MI Clean Water investment are covered in the 2021 State of the Great Lakes report released today by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Office of the Great Lakes (OGL).

Topics include the current state of knowledge on harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes; collaborative efforts to restore valuable fisheries like native whitefishes; new tools that hold promise to better understand groundwater resources; and an emphasis on the connectivity of all water resources.

“With 20 percent of the planet’s fresh surface water, Michigan has a special relationship with water,” said Liesl Clark, EGLE director. “As part of our stewardship role, this State of the Great Lakes report focuses on the activities and programs that will help protect our world-class water resources for future generations. It is vital that we respond to current issues and get ahead of challenges that must be met head-on. From resilient communities to sustainable water use and groundwater challenges, the report emphasizes the interconnectivity of Michigan’s waters.”

Emily Finnell, the OGL’s Great Lakes senior advisor and strategist, notes the report highlights the state’s historic investments in water infrastructure; opportunities for advancing water conservation and energy savings through water infrastructure improvements; collaborative partnerships that are advancing innovation in energy efficiency, mobility and autonomous water technologies; the importance of increasing equitable access to Michigan’s abundant water resources; and ways the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team is working to protect public health.

It also includes the accomplishments of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which marked its 50th anniversary, and the state’s Areas of Concern program.

The Office of the Great Lakes, which is part of EGLE, works to protect and restore Michigan’s waters. It works with partners to support sustainable communities, restore degraded waters, manage water quality and quantity, and prevent aquatic invasive species. Its mission is to ensure a healthy environment, strong blue economy and high quality of life for Michiganders.
State of the Great Lakes report topics

MiCorps volunteer stream cleanup

by | Feb 2, 2022 | Environmental
EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 2, 2022
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278
Tamara Lipsey, Aquatic Biologist, [email protected], 517-342-4372

MiCorps volunteer stream cleanup
and monitoring grants available

The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), a network of volunteer monitoring programs that collect and share surface water quality data throughout the state, is accepting 2022 funding proposals for two grant programs.

Volunteer Stream Cleanup Program:  A total of $25,000 (ranging from $500 to $5,000) is available for grants to support local units of government in efforts to clean up garbage from Michigan’s rivers, streams and creeks. This program is funded by fees from the sale of Michigan’s specialty water quality protection license plates, available from the Secretary of State’s Office.

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program:  A total of $75,000 is available across three grant types for volunteer benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring and habitat assessment in wadeable streams and rivers. Local units of government and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. These grant types include:

  • Startup Grants: These grants are for organizations that seek to learn the MiCorps monitoring protocols and set themselves up to submit successful Implementation grant proposals in future years. There is a maximum amount of $5,000 per grant award for one-year projects under this funding area.
  • Implementation Grants: These funds support volunteer training and macroinvertebrate data collection for the purpose of assessing water quality that helps state and local efforts to protect and manage water resources. Grants may be used to fund a monitoring coordinator and/or to buy water quality monitoring supplies. There is a maximum amount of $20,000 per grant award for two-year projects under this funding area.
  • Maintenance Grants: These one-year grants are for groups that are already monitoring with MiCorps procedures. Funds can pay for staff time, equipment, and travel to MiCorps trainings and conferences and are a maximum of $2,000.

The request for proposals for each of the grant opportunities can be found at the MiCorps Stream Monitoring and Cleanup Grants page. With the exception of the startup grants, the grants require a 25 percent local match commitment.

Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. March 7, 2022. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. Questions about the grant application process should be directed to Dr. Paul Steen, Huron River Watershed Council, at 734-769-5123 or [email protected]; or Tamara Lipsey, Lake Michigan Unit, Surface Water Assessment Section, Water Resources Division, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, at 517-342-4372 or [email protected].

The MiCorps program was established in 2004 to assist EGLE in collecting water quality data for use in water resources management and protection programs.

Whitmer declares January 2022 Radon Action Month

by | Jan 6, 2022 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 6, 2022
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278
Jill A. Greenberg, EGLE spokesperson, [email protected], 517-897-4965
Leslie E. Smith, III, Indoor Radon Specialist, [email protected], 800-723-6642

Gov. Whitmer declares January 2022 Radon Action Month in Michigan

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared January 2022 as Radon Action Month in Michigan, and she encourages all Michigan residents to learn more about this environmental hazard and test their homes during the heating season.

You cannot see, smell or taste radon, and there are no short-term side effects that could cause alarm or warn of its presence. However, long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer, which accounts for more deaths in both men and women than any other form of cancer in the United States, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), which aims to increase awareness of health risks associated with elevated indoor radon levels, promote home testing and encourage citizens to take action to reduce exposure once elevated radon levels are found.

Behind smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and considered a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for about 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year. The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is higher for people who smoke than for people who don’t smoke. However, the USEPA estimates that more than 10 percent of radon-related cancer deaths occur among people who have never smoked cigarettes.

Radon testing takes on increased importance due to many Michiganders now working from home. Testing is easy, inexpensive and the only way to determine if a radon problem exists. Residents are encouraged to test for radon every two to five years. If a radon mitigation system was previously installed in the home, residents are encouraged to test every two years to make sure that radon levels remain in the acceptable range.

One in every four Michigan homes is expected to have radon levels exceeding the federal action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter. Elevated radon levels have been found in all 83 Michigan Counties. Radon poses a serious threat to our community’s health, but high radon concentrations also are easily fixed.

For more information about radon testing and other information, including resources for homeowners builders, realtors, teachers and healthcare providers, go to Michigan.gov/Radon, or call EGLE’s Indoor Radon hotline at 800-RADONGAS or 800-723-6642.

To receive updates on other EGLE news, go to Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.