Michigan

Michigan moms celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act.

On August 8, 2023, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joined Moms Clean Air Force and our partners across Michigan to celebrate the economic, health, climate, and jobs benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

The historic Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on August 16, 2022. This law made a significant $369 billion investment in cutting climate pollution. Speakers at the event in Detroit talked about where this money has gone in the first year and what progress we’re already making in Michigan.

In addition to Congresswoman Tlaib and Mayor Duggan, we heard from the Green Door Initiative’s Donele Wilkins, the Detroit Office of Sustainability’s Maria M. Galarza, Community Faith Leader Morgan Foreman, and West Michigan Environmental Action Council’s Deirdre Nieves. Moms Clean Air Force Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman facilitated the conversation.

Moms Clean Air Force hits the road to highlight massive federal investments in clean transportation.

On June 9, 2023, Moms Clean Air Force gathered with our Michigan partners in Detroit—a city of historic significance to the auto industry—for a stop on the Route Zero Relay. The Route Zero Relay traveled across the country in the summer of 2023 along iconic Route 66 (with detours to showcase other important sites) to uplift stories about how people in the US would benefit from reduced tailpipe pollution, where they see opportunities for zero-emission vehicles, and how cities and towns are proactively working toward clean transportation initiatives.

In Detroit, Moms’ Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined State Senator Stephanie Chang, Representative Donavan McKinny, and other local advocates to call for vigorous public support for zero-emissions vehicles and massive federal investments in clean transportation.

Moms Clean Air Force hosts Black History Month conversation with Congresswoman Rashia Tlaib (MI-12).

On February 28, 2023, in honor of Black History Month, Moms Clean Air Force and Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action hosted a virtual panel discussion about public health and environmental justice in Michigan, featuring Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and a panel of experts.

Michigan has one of the highest asthma rates in the country, and Detroit has asthma hospitalization rates significantly higher than the state as a whole. Our conversation focused on how Black communities in Detroit and across the state bear disproportionate impacts of air pollution from multiple sources.

Panelists included Michigan Environmental Council’s Sandra Turner-Handy, Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action’s Elizabeth (Lisa) Del Buono, MD, President, Taylor Barrow, MSW, and Moms Clean Air Force’s Elizabeth Hauptman. They shared their vision of environmental justice for Black communities in Detroit and across Michigan—and how we can use the substantial federal investments from the Inflation Reduction Act to address the needs of these communities.

Michigan families join members of Moms Clean Air Force across the country to demand stronger protections for soot pollution.

In February 2023, more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members, representing 18 states and DC, testified before EPA at a hearing on proposed federal standards for soot pollution. EPA’s soot proposal doesn’t go far enough to protect our children and communities from avoidable harms. Soot pollution is extremely dangerous and no amount of it is safe for us to breathe.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman, her son Oscar, her husband Andrew, and Supermom Kindra Weid offered testimony. In her comments, Elizabeth shared how soot pollution impacts her family’s health:

“The fact is particle pollution causes asthma attacks and sends children like my son and niece to the ER. As a mom with a son and niece who have asthma, I can say that this proposal would put the health of Michigan’s 254,583 kids with asthma at risk—not to mention the thousands of others whose health is tied to the quality of the air they breathe. This proposal means more asthma attacks, missed school days, missed family outdoor activities, and an increased burden on our already strained health care system.”

Read Elizabeth’s full testimony here.

Michigan moms join Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to urge EPA to finalize strong methane standards that protect children’s health.

On January 10, 11, and 12, 2023, more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 21 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its updated proposal to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations. The updated proposal from EPA would reduce methane pollution from sources covered by the rule by 87% below 2005 levels. It would also strengthen leak detection and repair requirements, continue to require equipment not to emit methane, address high-emission incidents with a new monitoring response program, and require that abandoned wells are subject to inspections until they are closed.

At the hearing, Moms applauded the updated rule but called on EPA to make it even stronger by fully eliminating pollution from routine flaring and ensuring frontline communities have the tools they need to hold polluters accountable.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman and three Supermoms offered testimony.

Moms Clean Air Force hosts important conversation about EPA community air monitoring grants in Michigan.

On December 14, 2022, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman sat down with a panel of experts to learn about major federal investments to improve air quality in Michigan. Late last year, three Michigan organizations received EPA grants for community air monitoring projects, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan. Our panelists shared how this funding could benefit not just the communities these organizations work in but also all Michiganders.

We heard from representatives of two of the organizations awarded this funding: Kathleen Slonager, the Executive Director of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Michigan, and Keith Kiama, Program Manager for the Air Quality Management Plan with the Green Door Initiative. Lyke Thompson, Director of the Academic Center for Urban Studies at Wayne State University, shared data from the Center’s long-running program studying the impacts of pollutants on children and families in their homes in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Michigan Moms Celebrate EPA’s Clean School Bus Program

On October 27, 2022, Moms Clean Air Force hosted our partners Climate Power, BlueGreen Alliance, and Michigan Clean Cities in Lansing for a press conference to celebrate EPA’s announcement of federal funding totaling more than $50 million to 25 Michigan school districts for clean, electric school buses.

This funding is from EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, a $5-billion, 5-year investment in clean school buses for our nation’s children, as allocated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law passed by Congress in 2021. This summer, Moms worked tirelessly to educate school districts in Michigan and across the country about the importance of replacing dirty diesel buses with zero-tailpipe-pollution electric buses and to help them through the Clean School Bus Program application process.

Speakers at the event included Elizabeth Hauptman from Moms Clean Air Force; Kindra Weid, RN, BSN, MPH, from the “It’s Electric” Coalition; Frank Acevedo from EPA’s Region 5 office; Rachel VanDenBrink from the Michigan Association of School Nurses; Katrina Morris from the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation; Donavan McKinney from Climate Power; Frank Houston from BlueGreen Alliance; and Lynne Bosma, MSW, from the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Their comments centered on the significant health and climate benefits of electric school buses, especially for our children.

Michigan moms host rally and press conference to celebrate historic federal investments in climate solutions.

On August 17, 2022, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined the Environmental Defense Fund and the Climate Action Campaign at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Act, which had been signed into law the previous day. The historic $369 billion in climate investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act will bring down consumer energy costs and increase American energy security, while putting the US on a path to a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan state coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined an impressive lineup of speakers at the event, including State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr.; State Senator Adam Hollier; Morgan Foreman, Constituent Services Director, MI House 55; Ric Preuss, Business Representative at IBEW Local 58; Tina Catron, Environmental Defense Fund, Michigan; and Susie Robertson, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan member, school teacher, and counselor, Brighton Area Schools.

Michigan moms and kids join Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to support strong standards for tailpipe pollution from trucks.

On April 12, 13, and 14, dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 18 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its proposal to clean up tailpipe pollution from heavy-duty trucks and buses. EPA’s trucks proposal is a welcome step forward but doesn’t go far enough. At the hearing, moms asked EPA to further strengthen the standards for heavy-duty vehicle pollution, to better protect children, people with asthma, older adults, and other vulnerable groups from the health harms of air pollution.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman, her son Oscar, and three Supermoms from across the state offered testimony.

Read Elizabeth’s full testimony HERE and Oscar’s HERE.

Michigan moms and kids join Moms Clean Air Force members across the country at a virtual EPA hearing to support restoring the legal foundation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

On February 24, 2022, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 15 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing on its proposal to restore the appropriate and necessary finding of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. The mercury standards, finalized in 2012, are a public health necessity. They protect communities across the country from mercury and other harmful air pollution from power plants.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman, her son Oscar, and two Supermoms offered testimony. In his comments, Oscar talked about his love for fishing and fish:

“I love to go fishing with my family and friends. I love to eat fish; it is one my favorite foods. However, I don’t get to eat all the fish I catch because it’s not safe. Certain fish can have dangerous amounts of mercury in their bodies, and when people eat the fish, we get it in our bodies too… According to science, mercury exposure will cause brain development delays or heart conditions. I don’t want to eat poisonous fish that will hurt my brain and heart! I want the EPA to protect kids from mercury exposure.”

Read Oscar’s full testimony HERE. Read Elizabeth’s HERE.

Michigan moms join Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to tell EPA to finalize strong methane regulations.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined 38 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s 3-day public hearing about the proposed rule to cut methane and other harmful air pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations in November and December 2021.

Methane is the main component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas accelerating climate change. Quickly and significantly reducing methane is one of the best levers we have to slow the rate of climate change and help clean up the air. If finalized, EPA’s proposed rule would establish the first national standards limiting methane pollution from the nation’s nearly one million existing oil and gas operations.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and two supermoms offered testimony. Elizabeth focused her remarks on climate impacts in Michigan:

Michiganders are experiencing climate change today with more flooding, coastal erosion, warming of the Great Lakes, and extreme weather…. Michigan summers are getting longer and hotter; in winter we see more rain and less snow, and our lake only freezes for weeks, not months. We cannot skate, sled, or ice fish because it’s too warm. These changes affect commerce and recreation for all Michiganders.

Read Elizabeth’s full testimony here.

Michigan moms join Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to tell EPA to set strong near-term standards for climate pollution from cars.

In August 2021, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined more than 30 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing about strengthening near-term greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks.

Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in the US, making up 29% of all carbon dioxide pollution. Cars and light trucks account for 58% of all transportation-related climate pollution, and 17% of total US climate pollution. The EPA’s proposal to cut climate pollution from cars in the near terms seeks to repair years of backsliding from the auto industry. Moms spoke out in favor of acting with urgency to accelerate the transition to zero-pollution vehicles.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and two Supermoms offered testimony.

Let’s Get Rolling Electric Bus Tour arrives in Lansing and Detroit.

In the summer of 2021, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan hosted virtual press events calling on Congress to make meaningful investments in electric school bus, transit, and trucking fleets. The events were part of a nationwide push to upgrade old school and transit buses with better technology to reduce our families’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution.

Transportation is the largest source of global warming pollution in our country, which makes electrification of buses, cars, and trucks critical to solving the climate crisis. Electrifying our nation’s bus fleets will also clean up the air for everyone inside the bus, where harmful fumes may be concentrated higher than outside the bus.

State Representative Julie Brixie (HD-69), the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation’s Howard “Mac” Dashney, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s Kathleen Slonager, and Proterra’s Lisa W. Lillelund joined Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman for the Lansing event.

Watch the Lansing event here.

For the Detroit event, Elizabeth was joined by Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, and Frank Houston of the Blue Green Alliance.

Michigan moms call on EPA to set strong standards for methane pollution.

In June 2021, Michigan moms joined Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from across the country to participate in EPA’s listening sessions on its upcoming oil and natural gas methane rule. The listening sessions were a unique opportunity for environmental justice and frontline communities to weigh in ahead of the proposed rulemaking. Moms advocated for at least a 65% reduction in methane pollution from oil and gas operations, compared to 2012 levels, no later than 2025.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman offered testimony. Elizabeth spoke about the climate change impacts she and her family are already seeing in Michigan:

“Michiganders are experiencing climate change today with more flooding, coastal erosion, warming of the Great Lakes, and extreme weather.… Michigan summers are getting longer and hotter. Including this last week’s unprecedented heat wave in the Midwest, where temperatures were hotter than states much farther south, like Texas.”

Read Elizabeth’s full testimony HERE.

Michigan moms join members of Moms Clean Air Force across the country to tell EPA to slash climate pollution from cars.

In June 2021, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined more than 40 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 16 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s first climate-related public hearing since President Biden took office. The hearing was about EPA’s proposal to restore long-standing state authority to protect residents from climate pollution from cars—something the previous administration had stripped away. EPA wants to once again give California, and any states that choose to adopt California’s standards, permission to set stricter climate pollution standards for cars and light trucks. Reinstating state authority to set tailpipe emissions standards is an important first step for reducing pollution from the transportation sector, the nation’s leading source of climate-warming carbon pollution.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and six volunteers from across the state offered testimony. Elizabeth spoke about her son, who has asthma, and the impact of air pollution on children:

Read Elizabeth’s full testimony HERE.

For Women’s History Month, Michigan moms spotlight the women leading their state on climate action.

On March 22, 2021, Moms Clean Air Force, along with our partners at Green Door Initiative and Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter, hosted a virtual conversation with five incredible Michigan climate leaders: Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11), Dr. Cecelia Martinez (White House Council on Environmental Quality), Liesl Clark (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy), and Donele Wilkins (Green Door Initiative). The conservation was moderated by Elizabeth Hauptman, Moms Clean Air Force’s Michigan field organizer.

The panelists spoke about how they are fighting for clean air and climate action for kids, frontline communities, and future generations. They are each working—in various capacities—to protect Michiganders’ public health and the environment and put us on a path toward a more stable and healthier planet for the sake of our children.

Michigan moms tell the Office of Management and Budget to oppose the EPA’s attack on particle pollution standards.

On November 23, 2020, Moms Clean Air Force met by phone with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to oppose the Trump administration’s efforts to ignore the science on particle pollution, or deadly soot. Trump’s EPA proposed to retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particle pollution last spring despite overwhelming evidence that the current standard puts lives at risk. Particle pollution causes heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease, among other grave health impacts that can make people more vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan supermom Nicky Marcot, with her 5-week-old baby girl in her arms, shared her concerns as a mother, teacher, and Detroit resident during the meeting:

“I am deeply concerned about the children in my neighborhood, many of whom also struggle with asthma, or who have parents struggling with other health issues that are worsened by particle pollution. As a teacher it was disconcerting how often many of my students had to miss school days due to health-related issues.

“I love living here in Michigan. My family frequently enjoys exploring the many beautiful forests and lakes. However, according to the World Health Organization, Detroit itself is one of the top 10 U.S. cities with the highest year-round particle pollution, and Wayne County received a grade C from the American Lung Association on air quality.”

Read more about our meeting with OMB HERE.

Director Liesl Eichler Clark joins our 2020 Stay In and Speak Out for Climate Action.

On October 28, 2020, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan’s organizer Elizabeth Hauptman spoke with Liesl Eichler Clark, Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) about clean air, climate action, and how EGLE is working to advance the goals laid out in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Michigan Healthy Climate Plan.

Moms Clean Air Force applauds Governor Whitmer’s Michigan Healthy Climate Plan.

On September 23, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Order to create the Michigan Healthy Climate Plan to protect the health and future of Michigan’s children. The plan puts the state on a path to being carbon neutral by 2050. In response, Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman issued this statement of support:

Michiganders are excited by the release of the Michigan Healthy Climate Plan. The Governor’s move will protect our families and combat the climate crisis, a public health emergency that disproportionately impacts communities of color, low-income communities, and our children. This is a victory for our health and climate.

Michigan moms join Moms Clean Air Force members from across the country to demand EPA protect our families from dangerous smog.

On August 30 and September 1, 2020, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined more than 50 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 14 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s virtual public hearing on ground-level ozone, or smog. Smog is a widespread and largely preventable form of air pollution that is a powerful lung irritant and asthma trigger. In July 2020, in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic, EPA chose to keep the standards for smog the same—in spite of strong evidence showing significant health harm at levels below the current standards—and opened a public comment period that would be considered notably short even if we were not in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic. This continues a disturbing trend at EPA, led by Administrator Andrew Wheeler, of sidelining science, ignoring environmental injustice, and stifling public participation in the rulemaking process.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and 5 Michigan volunteers offered testimony. In her testimony, Elizabeth called EPA out for failing to protect children with asthma:

As a mom with a son and niece who have asthma, I can say that this proposal would put the health of Michigan’s 254,583 kids with asthma at risk—not to mention the thousands of others whose health is tied to the quality of the air they breathe. This proposal means more asthma attacks, missed school days, missed family outdoor activities, and an increased burden on our already strained heath care system. EPA’s refusal to protect children from ozone pollution, making them more vulnerable to severe illness, especially during a respiratory disease pandemic, is just deeply troubling.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib joins our 2020 Stay In and Speak Out for Climate Action.

This year, we aren’t playing around. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we aren’t holding our happy, crowded, buzzing, and bubbling annual Play-In for Climate Action in Washington, DC. Instead, we’re asking legislators across the country to join us for virtual events and conversations with their constituents to talk about air pollution, climate action and what we can do to fight the climate crisis where we live.

On July 15, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joined Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and moms and children from Michigan’s 13th District to discuss air pollution, climate change, and how the congresswoman is working to protect our families from these threats that impact health and well-being.

Michigan moms join members of Moms Clean Air Force across the country to demand stronger protections against deadly soot.

In May 2020, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined more than 65 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 18 states and DC to deliver testimony at the EPA’s virtual public hearing on PM 2.5, or deadly soot. In April 2020, Trump’s EPA proposed to retain the current standards for particle pollution, ignoring science and putting thousands of lives at risk. Even in the midst of a national public health emergency from COVID-19, moms participated in the public hearing in record numbers. It’s one of many ways Moms Clean Air Force Michigan is continuing to engage in serious and consequential advocacy and outreach during the coronavirus pandemic.

Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman offered testimony, as did five Moms Clean Air Force members from around the state.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joins Rep. Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board

Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman is representing Moms Clean Air Force on Representative Elissa Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board, which advises the congresswoman on crafting strong environmental and energy policy. In this capacity, Elizabeth is working to ensure our children’s and our communities’ health will remain top priorities for the congresswoman.

Elizabeth participated in her first board meeting on July 14, 2020. She asked the Congresswoman how Congress was ensuring our families’ health and safety amid the onslaught of EPA regulatory rollbacks during the global pandemic. 

Moms Clean Air Force helps Michigan push for bold climate legislation.

In November 2019, Congressman Donald McEachin (VA-04) introduced the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 with Representatives Deb Haaland (NM-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Chellie Pingree (ME-01). This ambitious national bill aims to eliminate all climate pollution—including from transportation, electricity, buildings, and agriculture—by no later than 2050.

In the months leading up to the release of the bill, Michigan moms met with Members of Congress across the state to urge them to join as co-sponsors. Moms Clean Air Force Michigan thanks Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Dan Kildee (MI-05), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Andy Levin (MI-09), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), and Haley Stevens (MI-11) for being among the over 150 original co-sponsors leading on this issue.

Click here to learn more about the bill.

Fighting for cleaner cars—and air—for our children in Michigan.

Moms Clean Air Force has been working for years to aggressively defend our Clean Car Standards. These standards, adopted in 2012, reduce greenhouse gas emission from cars and light trucks. In 2020, the previous administration finalized a dangerous rollback of these standards. To urge automakers to oppose this rollback, Michigan moms delivered thousands of signatures to the Big Three automakers in Detroit, published op-eds, and launched a social media accountability campaign. Moms Clean Air Force members also attended the September 2018 EPA hearings in Dearborn, Michigan, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to make it clear that moms across the country want cleaner cars and expect our automakers to provide them.

In December 2021, our work paid off when EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced finalized—and ambitious—Clean Car Standards for model years 2023–26. These final protections are significantly stronger than EPA’s original proposal to reverse the Trump era rollback, thanks to a flood of public comments in favor of the strongest possible protections from Moms Clean Air Force members, especially our Michigan moms living near the hear of the US auto industry.

Working to transition Michigan’s school bus fleets to electric.

Millions of children still ride diesel-powered school buses, exposing them to harmful diesel pollution that can trigger asthma attacks and interfere with their ability to learn. Michigan moms have hit the road to build support for clean, electric school buses. We are working with local school districts to ensure they are taking advantage of federal funds from EPA’s Clean School Bus Program to transition their bus fleets to all-electric.

Learn more about electric school buses HERE.

Protecting our families from toxic forever chemicals.

PFAS, or forever chemicals, include more than 5,000 varieties of are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These manmade chemicals are used in the manufacturing of all manner of consumer goods, from takeout containers to furniture, clothing, and cosmetics, and they have been linked to serious health issues, including reproductive problems, low birth weight, weakened childhood immunity, and cancer. PFAS chemicals are nearly impossible to break down, which means they can contaminate our waterways and remain in our bodies for a lifetime.

In Michigan, PFAS chemicals are a huge problem. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) estimates that more than 1.5 million residents have been drinking water contaminated with PFAS. In 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer established the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team to address the threat of PFAS contamination in the state. Moms Clean Air Force is part of the Citizens’ Advisory Workgroup that advises MPART. In this role, Michigan moms support public outreach and education for communities impacted by PFAS contamination.

Protecting our children from toxic air pollution from industrial facilities.

Capital Asphalt is looking to build a new plant in Genoa Township, and the local community is concerned. Asphalt plants can release myriad harmful pollutants into the air, including arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, and cadmium. Exposure to these pollutants can cause cancer, liver damage, skin irritation, and central nervous system and respiratory problems.

The Genoa Township Board of Trustees is considering rezoning two parcels of land so that Capital Asphalt can build its new facility. This land is near both residential communities and a business district. Michigan moms are working with Genoa Township residents to oppose the rezoning of this land and to protect our children from harmful industrial air pollution.

Protecting our families from mercury pollution.

The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which were finalized in 2012, set the first-ever national limits on hazardous air pollutants from coal-fired power plants, which used to be the single largest source of such pollution in the US. The standards have been incredibly effective; mercury levels have dropped 91% in Michigan since 2011. As the EPA under the previous administration worked to roll back MATS, Michigan moms met with members of Congress to enlist their support in fighting efforts to weaken it. Now we are working with the Biden EPA on a robust standard that safeguards Americans against pollution linked to brain damage in babies.

The Great Lakes have long been plagued with mercury advisories for fish. Michigan moms are concerned about the food their children eat because contaminated fish can threaten fetuses and children’s health. Moms Clean Air Force members are mobilizing and rallying in Michigan to demand that these lifesaving standards stay in place.

Read more about mercury in the Great Lakes HERE.

Our children breathe polluted air.

Over 29,000 children in Wayne County, home to Detroit, have asthma. With an F grade for both ozone and particle pollution from the American Lung Association, the county is a dangerous place for these children—and everyone—to breathe.

Air pollution issues in Michigan are not limited to the state’s largest city. Of the 24 counties that monitor ground-level ozone, or smog (out of 83 counties total), 6 received an F grade based on the number of high ozone days. Smog is a harmful lung irritant that is formed in the atmosphere when pollutants combine with heat and sunlight. It triggers asthma attacks and increases lung infections. As climate change causes summer temperatures to rise, dangerous breathing days due to smog will become more frequent.

As in most states, Michigan’s air pollution comes largely from coal-fired power plants, cars, and trucks. But because Michigan is the home of Motor City—and the heart of the US auto industry—Michigan’s moms have a special role to play in advocating for a clean car future. Moms Clean Air Force is educating Michiganders on the dangers of air pollution, as well as helping to push for stronger national air pollution standards.

Our lakes are at risk.

Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes, the largest group of freshwater lakes on earth. The source of drinking water to more than 40 million people, the Great Lakes are plagued by pollution, rising water temperatures, and erratic water levels, as extreme weather affects evaporation and precipitation patterns. Historically high water levels from 2017 to 2020 caused frequent flooding and extreme erosion, threatening vital infrastructure along the lakes’ shores.

We have immense renewable energy potential.

The Great Lakes provide huge potential for offshore wind energy production. Michigan has the one of the longest shorelines of any state in the country and has already begun to capitalize on this resource. Michigan is currently one of the top 15 states in the country for wind energy production.

But despite growing renewable energy production, Michigan still relies heavily on coal and natural gas. Combined, coal and natural gas accounted for 63% of the state’s electricity generation in 2022. Moving to renewable energy would help limit dangerous climate-warming pollution as well as clean up Michigan’s air by reducing particulates, smog-forming pollutants, methane, carbon monoxide, toxic mercury, lead, and arsenic—which are by-products of burning coal and natural gas drilling.

Past Events

September 2023

On September 8, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined EPA Region 5 and our partners across the state to celebrate electric school buses in Pellston. The event included the first ever electric school bus ride across the Mackinaw Bridge.

On September 6, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined Congresswoman Rashia Tlaib and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters for a panel discussion about climate, renewable energy, and jobs benefits available through the Inflation Reduction Act at Levey Middle School in Southfield.

On September 1, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined EDF Action for the second annual Kayaktivist event on the Huron River in Ann Arbor. They were joined by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and State Senator Sue Shink.

August 2023

On August 31, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined Congresswoman Debbie Dingell at a climate roundtable event hosted by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters at Washtenaw Community College. The roundtable discussion aimed at educating state and local lawmakers about the Inflation Reduction Act and ways Michigan can leverage available federal funds to tackle the climate crisis and build more prosperous communities.

On August 15, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman spoke at a press event with Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and State Representative Alabas Farhart to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate solutions in US history.

On August 8, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joined Moms Clean Air Force, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Climate Action Campaign, and Green Door Initiative to celebrate the economic, health, climate, and jobs benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Watch the replay.

July 2023

On July 31, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board meeting.

On July 10, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined Congresswoman Haley Stevens, State Senator Stephanie Chang, State Representative Donovan McKinney, and our partners at the Blue Green Alliance, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) for a roundtable discussion and tour of the IUPAT facility in Warren. Watch the replay.

June 2023

On June 13–15, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman and two volunteers from across the state joined more than 70 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 22 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for carbon pollution from power plants. Read Elizabeth’s testimony here.

On June 9, Mom Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined State Senator Stephanie Chang for the Route Zero Relay stop in Detroit. The Route Zero Relay is traveling across the country along parts of the iconic Route 66 and other important sites, uplifting stories from people in the US about how they would benefit from reduced tailpipe pollution and cleaner air, where they see opportunities for zero-emission vehicles, how cities and towns are proactively working toward clean transportation initiatives, and more. Watch the replay.

On June 8, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined Black Millennials 4 Flint and partners across the state at the Revive Community Health Center for a panel discussion titled “Addressing the Public Health Crisis: What EPA’s Cut Climate Pollution Plan Means for Michigan EJ Communities.”

On June 7, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman participated in a virtual panel discussion titled “A Day in the Life of a Child of Asthma.” This webinar helped to raise awareness of the health benefits of electric school buses.

On June 2, Moms Clean Air Force hosted a booth at the 2023 Michigan Climate Summit at Oakland University.

On June 1, Moms Clean Air Force joined the Michigan Climate Action Network for a live storytelling show to kick off the 2023 Michigan Climate Summit. The show was hosted by Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and featured true stories told on stage by performers from all walks of life.

May 2023

On May 31, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman gathered with partners across the state in front of the second dirtiest power plant in the US—in Monroe, Michigan—to demand that EPA finalize strong limits on climate pollution from new and existing fossil fuel power plants. Watch the replay.

On May 19, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined Supermom Paige McFall for Michigan Public Radio’s live Issues & Ale event in Brighton about the water quality challenges Michigan is still facing 50 years after passage of the Clean Water Act.

On May 16, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined a press conference at the Port of Detroit to unveil the new Binational EV Corridor. US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and the Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra all spoke.

On May 11, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman and Michigan nurse Kindra Weid hosted a table at the Michigan Association of School Nurses Conference to spread the word about important EPA rulemakings that will reduce pollution and protect children’s lungs.

On May 9, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 16 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for pollution from cars and trucks. Read Elizabeth’s testimony here.

On May 9, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 15 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on the proposal to strengthen the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Read Elizabeth’s testimony here.

On May 2, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman and her family joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 18 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for greenhouse gas pollution from heavy-duty trucks. Read Elizabeth’s testimony here.

April 2023

On April 22, Moms Clean Air Force and our partners across Michigan hosted the 2023 Oakland County Earth Day March and Rally.

On April 11 and 12, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman attended the MI Healthy Climate Conference in Detroit. The conference was hosted by the Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes, and Energy to bring together hundreds of stakeholders from across the state to help implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

On April 10, Moms Clean Air Force, Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club Southeast Michigan Group, and the Environmental Defense Action Fund joined Michigan lawmakers and climate leaders to encourage folks to attend the Turn Oakland County Green Earth Day Event on April 22. Watch the replay.

March 2023

On March 22, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined MI Air MI Health’s Kindra Weird and Michigan State University nursing students for a lobby day at the Lansing Capitol. The group spoke with lawmakers about the benefits of electric school buses.

On March 16, Moms Clean Air Force invited a panel of experts from Michigan to answer questions about what we can do to protect our health from soot pollution and how can we hold EPA and our local elected officials accountable. Panelists included Dr. Mozhgon Rajee, Associate Professor of Public Health at Oakland University; Ms. Kailey Kanaziz, a practicing registered nurse in northern Michigan with Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action and the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments; and Rev. Morgan Foreman, a community leader and advocate for the environment and communities of color, and Constituent Services Director for State Rep. Felicia Brabec in the Michigan House of Representatives. The discussion was moderated by Almeta E. Cooper, Moms Clean Air Force’s National Manager for Health Equity. Watch the replay.

On March 9, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman spoke at the Great Lakes Bay Climate Action Happy Hour hosted by the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum at Oracle Brewing.

On March 1, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-8), local officials, and environmental advocates to celebrate historic investments in clean transportation. Watch the replay.

February 2023

On February 28, in honor of Black History Month, Moms Clean Air Force and Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action hosted a virtual panel discussion about public health and environmental justice in Michigan, featuring Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and a panel of experts. Watch the replay.

In February, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman, her son Oscar, her husband Andrew, and Supermom Kindra Weid joined more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members across the country to testify at the EPA hearing on proposed federal standards for soot pollution. Read Elizabeth’s testimony here.

On February 7, Moms Clean Air Force joined EDF Action, Michigan LCV, and Sierra Club to watch the State of the Union live in downtown Ann Arbor.

January 2023

On January 25, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman participated in a virtual press conference to call on EPA and the Biden administration to set the strongest possible pollution standards for all cars and trucks model year 2027 and beyond.

On January 12, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman and three Supermoms attended a moderated conservation on climate change in Ann Arbor, Michigan, featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. Watch the replay.

On January 10, 11, and 12, more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 21 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its updated proposal to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations. Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman and three Supermoms offered testimony. Read Elizabeth’s testimony here.

December 2022

On December 14, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined EDF Action’s Tina Catron to host a roundtable discussion about the environmental justice and health benefits of EPA’s recent air quality monitoring grants. Watch the replay.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman was invited to attend Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s holiday party in December.

November 2022

On November 17, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman participated in a webinar with the Michigan Nurses Association and the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments about nursing, climate change, and health. Watch the replay.

October 2022

On October 27, 2022, Moms Clean Air Force hosted our partners Climate Power, BlueGreen Alliance, and Michigan Clean Cities in Lansing for a press conference to celebrate EPA’s announcement of federal funding totaling more than $50 million to 25 Michigan school districts for clean, electric school buses. Watch the replay.

On October 15, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman hosted a Get Out the Vote postcard-writing party.

On October 3, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments for a conversation about the importance of strong tailpipe pollution protections. Watch the replay.

September 2022

On September 27, Moms Clean Air Force joined the Climate Action Campaign for a Get Out the Vote postcard-writing party in East Lansing.

On September 20, Moms Clean Air Force joined the Climate Action Campaign in Lansing to launch Solutions for Pollution, a campaign calling on the Biden administration to advance 20 protections across federal agencies that could cut climate pollution and protect children’s health.

On September 15, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined State Rep. Tim Sneller (HD-50) and Genesse County Commissioner Domonique Clemons for a press conference to call on the Biden administration and Michigan’s federal elected officials to support a new round of stronger federal clean car standards from EPA. Watch the replay.

On September 13, Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Elizabeth Brandt and Michigan State Coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined President Biden, members of Congress, and hundreds of advocates on the White House lawn to celebrate the Inflation Reduction Law, the largest investment in climate solutions in US history.

On September 6, Moms Clean Air Force joined EDF Action at the Eastside Community Network’s Commute Conversation and Transportation event to talk about electric vehicles.

August 2022

On August 17, Moms Clean Air Force, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Climate Action Campaign hosted a rally and press conference in Lansing, Michigan, to celebrate and highlight the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act. Watch the replay.

On August 6, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined EDF Action’s Tina Catron to spread the word about the Inflation Reduction Act at the Ingham County Fair.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman spoke at a meeting of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter’s Crossroads Group about Moms’ work in the state.

July 2022

On July 24, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan’s Family Earth Club met at a Detroit park to create art from nature. Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman provided an update on electric school buses in the state and upcoming EPA rule proposals that Moms is anticipating.

On July 21, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan state coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman participated in a series of meetings in Washington, DC, with the staff of Michigan members of Congress and our partners at the Climate Action Campaign.

On July 16, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan ran the Run for Hope 5K to raise awareness about the health impacts of air pollution.

On July 3, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners at the Sculpture Plaza in Ann Arbor to protest the Supreme Court’s decision to constrain EPA’s authority to limit climate-harming pollution from power plants.

June 2022

On June 29 and 30, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partner organizations to testify before EPA in favor of several waivers allowing California to set stronger tailpipe pollution standards for heavy-duty vehicles than federally required. Michigan state coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman and her son Oscar, along with Supermom Nicole Marcot, testified from Michigan.

On June 24, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman spoke at a Climate Rally and Kayak-tivist event in Detroit, hosted by EDF Action.

On June 17, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman attended Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board meeting.

On June 9, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman shared Moms’ work on EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and information about the EPA v. West Virginia, an important climate case before the US Supreme Court, at the Michigan Climate and Clean Energy Summit in Traverse City.

May 2022

On May 30, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman, Supermom Susie Robertson, and their children walked with Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin in the Brighton Memorial Day Parade.

On May 19, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman and Supermom Kindra Weid attended the Annual Michigan Association of School Nurses Conference. They spoke to dozens of school nurses and shared information about EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and electric school bus funding in Michigan.

On May 14, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman hosted her first Family Club meeting at Beaverland Farms in Detroit.

On May 7, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman had a table at the Rochester Farmers Market.

April 2022

On April 23, Michigan Moms joined Turn Oakland County Green, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, and EDF Action for the Oakland County Earth Day March and Rally.

On April 20, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan state coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman gave testimony at EPA’s virtual public hearing for the Cross State Air Pollution Rule, which will help clean up ozone pollution that knows no borders.

On April 16, Kids Clean Air Force Michigan member Oscar Hauptman shared his thoughts about clean air and climate change in Moms Clean Air Force’s Youth Voices Talk Climate Change program. Watch the replay.

On April 12, 13, and 14, dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 18 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its proposal to clean up tailpipe pollution from heavy-duty trucks and buses. Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman, her son Oscar, and three Supermoms from across the state offered testimony. Read Elizabeth’s full testimony HERE and Oscar’s HERE.

March 2022

On March 29, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman had the incredible opportunity to interview Senator Debbie Stabenow about her work in the US Senate to fight air pollution and climate change. Watch the replay.

On March 13, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman attended a postcards and pints for climate action event hosted by EDF Action in Lansing.

On March 10, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman attended Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board meeting.

February 2022

On February 24, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 15 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing on its proposal to restore the appropriate and necessary finding of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman, her son Oscar, and two Supermoms offered testimony. Read Elizabeth’s testimony HERE and Oscar’s HERE.

On February 15, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman joined Michigan elected officials and clean cars advocates to call for a new round of clean car standards to drive investments in clean cars and electric vehicle manufacturing in Michigan. Watch the replay.

On February 12, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined our partners across the state for a Valentine-themed rally in front of the State Capitol steps in Lansing to show support for the Build Back Better Act and love for climate champions.

On February 11, Michigan Moms joined Moms Clean Air Force Montana for a virtual Valentine-making party. We gathered online to make Valentines for local, state, and national climate champions.

On February 8, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman and Supermoms Nicole Marcot and Kindra Weid gave public comment on the initial draft of MI Healthy Climate Plan, a statewide plan to position Michigan as a national leader in slashing climate pollution. Read Elizabeth’s testimony here, Nicole’s here, and Kindra’s here.

On February 8, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman attended the MPART Citizens Advisory Workgroup meeting. We talked through the problem of letting communities know when PFAS is present in their water and wells.

January 2022

On January 27, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan coordinator Elizabeth Hauptman was a panelist in a virtual climate round table discussion hosted by the Livingston County United Way.<stro

December 2021

On December 15, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr., State Representative Julie Brixie, and Richard Diaz of the BlueGreen Alliance at Lansing City Hall for a press conference in support of the Build Back Better Act, which was recently passed by the US House of Representatives. The Build Back Better Act will slash carbon pollution, create stable, good-paying jobs, and cut energy costs for Michigan families. Speakers applauded Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin for supporting the Build Back Better Act and called on the Senate to finish the job.

On December 13, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman participated in a meeting of Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board.

On December 9, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s town hall.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined 38 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s 3-day public hearing about the proposed rule to cut methane and other harmful air pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations in November and December 2021. Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and two supermoms offered testimony. Read Elizabeth’s full testimony here.

November 2021

On November 22, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined our partners to deliver thank you cards to Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ office in Livonia. Rep. Stevens joined 220 members of the House to vote yes on the Build Back Better Act with its transformative climate investments on November 19.

On November 19, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined our partners for a thank you party outside Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s office in Lansing. Earlier that day, Rep. Slotkin joined 220 members of the House to vote yes on the Build Back Better Act with its transformative climate investments.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ telephone town hall about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on November 17.

October 2021

On October 27, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined State Representative Sarah Anthony, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, and Lansing School District Board Member Missy Lije in Lansing for a press event in support of the Build Back Better Act. Watch the replay.

On October 5, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and Sierra Club Michigan Chapter to greet President Biden in Lansing and show support for the Build Back Better Act.

September 2021

On September 21, Michigan moms participated in the Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Lobby Day. Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman, along with parents from across the state, met with the offices of Representatives Stevens and Kildee and Senator Peters to advocate for important Black maternal health provisions in the Build Back Better Act, including programs specifically focused on easing the impacts of climate change on Black mothers and babies.

On September 19, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan joined kids in Livonia for a honk and wave event at Bates Burgers to show Congresswoman Haley Stevens support for passing big, bold, ambitious investments in climate, jobs, and justice.

On September 18, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan hosted a honk and wave event for climate action at Farmington Brewery Company. Our Michigan moms and kids showed solidarity for the urgency to pass big, bold, ambitious investments in climate, jobs, and justice.

Moms Clean Air Force joined Black Millennials 4 Flint to host a virtual press conference on September 1 to call on Michigan’s federal leaders to push for a transition to cleaner, zero-pollution vehicles. Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), State Representative John Cherry Jr., Genesee County Commissioner Domonique Clemons, and Black Millennials 4 Flint’s LaTricea Adams joined Moms Clean Air Force Michigan Organizer Elizabeth Hauptman in calling for bold federal incentives in electric vehicles and support for EV advanced manufacturing. Watch the replay.

August 2021

On August 25, Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and two Supermoms joined more than 30 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing about strengthening near-term greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks. Read Elizabeth’s testimony here.

On August 24, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman participated in a meeting of Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board.

On August 16, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ town hall and asked a question about next steps in the fight for bold, transformative policy to solve the climate crisis.

On August 11, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan participated in the Electric Vehicle Experience at Wayne State University. At the event, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib took a few minutes to speak with Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman about the importance of transitioning to electric vehicles.

On August 6, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan hosted a virtual electric transit press event. The event was part of Moms’ nationwide Let’s Get Rolling Tour, calling for federal funding to help localities upgrade old school and transit buses with better technology to reduce our communities’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution. Watch the replay.

July 2021

On July 31, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan held a Honk 4 Climate event in Congresswoman Haley Steven’s district.

On July 22, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan hosted a virtual electric transit press event. The event was part of Moms’ nationwide Let’s Get Rolling Tour, calling for federal funding to help localities upgrade old school and transit buses with better technology to reduce our communities’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution. Watch the replay.

June 2021

Michigan moms joined Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from across the country to participate in EPA’s listening sessions on its upcoming oil and natural gas methane rule. Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman offered testimony. Read Elizabeth’s testimony.

On June 10, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended a town hall for Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) in Northville.

On June 2, 2021, Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and six volunteers from across the state joined more than 40 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 16 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s first climate-related public hearing since President Biden took office. The hearing was about EPA’s proposal to restore long-standing state authority to protect residents from climate pollution from cars. Read Elizabeth’s testimony.

May 2021

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) invited Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and her family to walk with her in the Memorial Day Parade in Howell, Michigan. The Hauptmans were one of only a dozen families invited to join the congresswoman in the parade.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman participated in a virtual press conference on May 26 to call on Michigan’s federal leaders to push for a transition to cleaner and pollution-free vehicles. State Senator Mallory McMorrow; Wayne County Commissioner Monique Baker McCormick; and Charles Griffith of the Ecology Center joined Elizabeth in calling for US Clean Car Standards and a transition to pollution-free vehicles. Watch the replay.

On May 19, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman was the featured speaker at a Crossroads Group Sierra Club event.

April 2021

On April 27, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman hosted an important Earth Month conversation with environmental justice leaders Donele Wilkins, Founder & CEO of the Green Door Initiative, and Dr. Cecilia Martinez, Senior Director of Environmental Justice at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. These experts discussed the pervasive problem of environmental injustices and talked about the ways they are working to address them. Watch the replay.

March 2021

On March 22, in honor of Women’s History Month, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman moderated a virtual conversation with five incredible climate leaders: Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11), Dr. Cecelia Martinez (White House Council on Environmental Quality), Liesl Clark (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy), and Donele Wilkins (Green Door Initiative). Watch the replay.

December 2020

In December, members of Moms Clean Air Force Michigan met with their members of Congress to encourage bold climate action in 2021. Michigan moms had meetings with Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Sen. Gary Peters, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), and Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11).

October 2020

On October 28, Moms Clean Air Force Michigan’s organizer Elizabeth Hauptman spoke with Liesl Eichler Clark, Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) about clean air, climate action, and how EGLE is working to advance the goals laid out in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Michigan Healthy Climate Plan. Watch the replay.

September 2020

Michigan moms joined Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to testify in EPA’s virtual hearing on its proposal to retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ground-Level Ozone. Michigan field organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and 5 Michigan volunteers urged EPA to follow the science and strengthen the existing rule.

August 2020

On August 18, Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined Zero Hour’s Detroit fellow Khadija Khokhar to discuss the climate crisis, the #Vote4OurFuture campaign, and how all generations can unite to fight for clean air and climate action in 2020 and beyond. Watch the Facebook Live video here.

July 2020

On July 15, Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman hosted the first roundtable in our summer 2020 Stay In and Speak Out series. The event was with Rep. Rashida Tlaib. Watch the video here.

On July 14, Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman participated in her first meeting as a member of Rep. Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board. She asked the Congresswoman how Congress was ensuring our families’ health and safety amid the onslaught of EPA regulatory rollbacks during the global pandemic.

June 2020

Michigan Organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s virtual hearing on Pollution and Pandemics: Covid-19’s Disproportionate Impact on Environmental Justice Communities. Rep. Debbie Dingell’s remarks during the hearing acknowledged environmental injustices in Michigan; the congresswoman wants to “make change now.”

May 2020

Michigan moms joined Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to testify in the EPA’s virtual hearing on its proposal to retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter. Michigan organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and five Michigan supermoms testified in favor of following science and strengthening the existing rule.

On May 5, Michigan Organizer Elizabeth Hauptman joined environmental leaders from around the state for the 2020 Michigan Climate Action Network Digital Summit. During her presentation, Elizabeth spoke about the EPA’s dangerous rollbacks.

Michigan Organizer Elizabeth Hauptman and her son attended Representative Elissa Slotkin’s (MI-08) kids virtual town hall.

April 2020

From April 22-25, Moms Clean Air Force worked with the organization, Whatever It Takes Sanctuary, to create a series of Earth Week videos.

February 2020

Michigan Organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended the Downriver Environmental Town Hall meeting hosted by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) focused on air pollution and PFAS in Trenton, Michigan.

Michigan Organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended National Service, National Security, and the Value of Mentorship, a conversation with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Rep. Elissa Slotkin. Elizabeth was able to ask a question about climate and national security.

Members of Moms Clean Air Force Michigan attended a town hall for Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11).

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan attended the 2020 Oakland County Climate, Jobs and Justice Platform to discuss local solutions to climate and pollution issues in Oakland County.

January 2020

Michigan Organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended an environmental justice round table with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) and other climate action groups.

December 2019

Michigan Organizer Elizabeth Hauptman attended a Town Hall event with Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI-08).

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan spoke at a meeting for Citizen’s Climate Lobby about the power of naptime activism and the work of Moms Clean Air Force.

October 2019

Michigan Organizer Elizabeth Hauptman tabled at the Michigan State Medical Society Annual Scientific Meeting to share information about the impacts of air pollution on children’s health.

Moms Clean Air Force Michigan held two guest book readings of Senorita Mariposa with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12).

September 2019

Michigan moms and kids joined the Global Climate Strikes in Detroit, Brighton, and Ann Arbor.

July 2019

Members of Moms Clean Air Force Michigan attended the sixth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

May 2018

Michigan Moms and Clean Air Kids testified in opposition to the rollback of the Clean Car Standards at the EPA hearing in Dearborn, MI, May 2018.

Midwest Field Organizers, Laura Burns and Kelly Nichols, traveled to Detroit to deliver over 13,000 petition signatures from Moms Clean Air Force members demanding that the Big Three Automakers—Ford, Chrysler, and GM—continue enforcing Clean Car Standards.

2023

• Petoskey News-Review, Pellston takes first electric school bus over the Mackinac Bridge
• Press release, Congresswoman Tlaib, Michigan Leaders Celebrate the Anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act
• Detroit Metro Times, Detroit part of national tour to promote electric vehicles, new EPA rules
• Public News Service, Detroit Part of National Tour to Promote Electric Vehicles, New EPA Rules
• Press release, Michigan’s Budget Includes $125 Million for Cleaner School Buses
• WCMU Public Radio, Advocates look to long-term air quality solutions amidst wildfires
• Iosco County News-Herald, Lawmakers, activists call for strong ‘clean car’ standards, zero-emission vehicle investment
• Lansing City Pulse, Lawmakers, activists call for strong ‘clean car’ standards, zero-emission vehicle investment
• Michigan Advance, Lawmakers, activists call for strong ‘clean car’ standards, zero-emission vehicle investment
• WXYZ Detroit, Earth Day inspires local Detroiters to do their part to tackle climate change
• Press release, Media Are Invited to Oakland County Earth Day March and Rally
• C & G Newspapers, Oakland County celebrates Earth Day
• Royal Oak Tribune, Oakland County Earth Day event coming to Royal Oak
• Press release, Turn Oakland County Green Earth Day Press Conference
• Breathing Labs, Michigan moms advocate for cleaner air
• C & G News, Michigan moms advocate for cleaner air
• MLive, Beecher school district will receive EPA funding for new electric bus fleet
• Public News Service, Clean Air Groups: EPA Needs to Get Tougher on Soot
• Press release, Congresswoman Tlaib, MI Clean Air Advocates Discuss Public Health & Environmental Justice in Honor of Black History Month
• Press release, THIS WEEK: Scores of Moms in Michigan and Nationwide Testify at EPA Soot Hearing, Expressing Deep Disappointment in Proposed Rule that Falls Short of Protecting Our Health
• Press release, February 21, 22, & 23: Scores of Moms in Michigan and Nationwide Testify at EPA Soot Hearing, Expressing Deep Disappointment in Proposed Rule that Falls Short of Protecting Our Health
• WCMU Public Radio, Michigan environmental groups urge Environmental Protection Agency for higher clean vehicle standards
• New Yorkers for Clean Power, CLEAN POWER SUCCESS STORIES: MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT ANY AGE… A LOOK INTO YOUTH ACTIVISM

2022

• The Detroit News, EPA strengthens smog-forming emissions rules for heavy trucks
• Michigan Radio, Federal grants set to expand air quality monitoring in and around Detroit
• Press release, Moms, EDF Action Discuss Environmental Justice and Health Benefits of EPA Air Quality Monitoring Grants
• The Oakland Press, Pontiac schools are going electric
• Dan Kildee, KILDEE ANNOUNCES NEW FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOL BUSES IN BEECHER
• Press release, Moms, Partners Host Press Conference to Celebrate EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Awards in Michigan & Highlight Health Benefits of Ditching Diesel
• Press release, Moms Clean Air Force and More Than 160 Advocacy Groups to Launch “Solutions for Pollution” Campaign in Michigan
• M LIVE, Genesee County elected officials, advocates ask for new round of clean car standards
• Mike & Jon Got it Going On!, Brighton woman celebrates Inflation Reduction Act on White House lawn
• Foreign Affairs, WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Michiganders Hail Enactment of Inflation Reduction Act, Applaud Senator Peters’ Leadership
• WILX-TV, Rally in support of Inflation Reduction Act
• Press release, Moms, Partners, and Elected Officials Host Rally and Press Conference at the Michigan Capitol to Highlight Benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act
• Macomb Daily, Strong EPA rule would protect Michiganders from air pollution
• Mike & Jon Got It Going On, Brighton woman to interview Sen. Stabenow on climate issues
• Mike & Jon Got It Going On, March 3, 2022
• Press release, Climate Can’t Wait Valentine’s Day Michigan Rally

2021

• Press release, As President Biden Visits EV Plant in Detroit, Moms Speak Up for Build Back Better Climate Investments
• FOX 17, Lansing-area leaders call on Slotkin, other members of Congress to support Build Back Better Act
• FOX 47 News, Lansing-area leaders call on Slotkin, other members of Congress to support Build Back Better Act
• Michigan Live, Kildee, Stabenow: No apologies for proposing bigger tax credits for union-made electric vehicles
• Michigan Live, Kildee says Flint can put the world on wheels again—electrified wheels
• WJRT-TV, Democrats propose investment in electric vehicles with Build Back Better budget
• Fresno Bee, No porridge or bears, but Biden’s clean car goals get Goldilocks comparison
• Kansas City Star, No porridge or bears, but Biden’s clean car goals get Goldilocks comparison
• Tacoma News Tribune, No porridge or bears, but Biden’s clean car goals get Goldilocks comparison
• Sacramento Bee, No porridge or bears, but Biden’s clean car goals get Goldilocks comparison
• Detroit Free Press, No porridge or bears, but Biden’s clean car goals get Goldilocks comparison
• FOX47 News, WATCH: Michigan officials and climate justice advocates call for investment in clean transportation
• Press Release, Michigan Public Health and Environmental Advocates Say It’s Time for Bold Federal Investment in Clean Transportation
• Press Release, Moms Welcome Popular Pick-up Truck’s Electric Makeover: Statement Ahead of Biden’s Visit to Michigan Ford Plant
• WHMI, Brighton Woman Leads Fight For Tougher Methane Rules
• Detroit Free Press, Michigan must do more to control pollution causing smog in downwind states
• WXPR, MI Groups Press Congress to Pass Tougher Methane Rules
• Public News Service, MI Groups Press Congress to Pass Tougher Methane Rules
• Livingston Daily, Climate change: A mom’s perspective on how the environment influences our families
• MI Environment, EGLE director addresses Women in Leadership Climate Summit
• Press release, Fresh Air for Children at School: The Renew America’s Schools Act Improves Safety and Reduces Climate Pollution of Our Schools, Improving Children’s Health
• Holland Sentinel, Letter: Electric vehicles will power us forward

2020

• Press release, Michigan Moms Laud Governor Gretchen Whitmer for Her Commitment to Climate Action
• Michigan Live, Odor violations mount at Kalamazoo paper mill seeking major tax break
• WKZO, Kalamazoo City Commissioners approve tax break for Graphic Packaging with new reporting requirements
• The Touch, Kalamazoo City Commissioners approve tax break for Graphic Packaging with new reporting requirements
• FOX17, “These trees are our everything” says Kzoo resident about removal of 700 trees
• Lansing State Journal, EPA changes jeopardize the health of my son, all children with asthma
• Press Release, Michigan Moms are outraged at EPA’s attack on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic: Sabotaging these standards is an unforgivable assault on our health
• Detroit Metro Times, Trump Takes Heat for Dialing Back Fuel-Economy Standards
• Public News Service, Trump Takes Heat for Dialing Back Fuel-Economy Standards
• AP News, Trump rollback of mileage standards guts US climate change push
• Tech Century, Cousteau lecture, rally highlight UM’s ‘Earth Day at 50’ celebration

2019

• Press Release, Moms Clean Air Force’s Michigan Chapter Applauds Introduction of the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019
• Michigan Radio, Climate Crew: Kids inspired Detroit mom to join fight for clean air, climate change solutions
• Press Release, MI Moms Join Members of Congress on Capitol Hill as Part of Sweeping Movement for Climate Solutions
• Detroit Free Press, Ford in Group to Reach Emissions Deal
• Daily Republic, 4 Automakers Reach Emissions Deal With California, Bucking Rollback