Environmental Justice

Environmental harm doesn't impact everyone equally. Low-income communities, Indigenous land, and communities of color often face the brunt of pollution, poor infrastructure, and climate inaction. Meanwhile, legislation at both the state and federal levels is threatening local control and rolling back clean energy incentives. These letters help push for bold, equitable climate solutions and ensure Michigan doesn’t fall behind.

• Defend Clean Energy Access and Tax Credits for All

  Updated 8/3/25

  Published: May 24, 2025

  • (Big Beautiful Billshit)

  Issue: The proposed federal budget includes cuts to clean energy investments, reversing course on climate progress.

  
  What’s at Risk: Electric vehicle tax credits, solar energy funding, and green infrastructure projects may be scaled back.

  
  Action: Urge Congress to reject cuts that harm clean energy development and widen energy access inequality.

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative

• Support HB 4299 to Restore Local Control Over Plastic Regulation

  Published: April 26, 2025

  Issue: Michigan cities and counties are currently banned from creating their own plastic waste regulations due to state-level preemption.
  What’s at Risk: Communities lose the power to fight plastic pollution through local action, worsening environmental health.
  Action: Urge your state lawmakers to support HB 4299 and return environmental decision-making to local governments.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative and Michigan State Senator

• Address Michigan’s Environmental Justice Crisis

  Updated 8/3/25

  Published: April 26, 2025

  Issue: Michigan communities continue to face toxic water, air pollution, and environmental neglect in low-income and Black and Brown neighborhoods.
  What’s at Risk: Children and families in frontline areas are breathing unsafe air, drinking contaminated water, and suffering long-term health consequences.
  Action: Tell Michigan lawmakers to prioritize infrastructure investment, air and water protections, and community response funds.
  

  Who to Send This Letter To: Your Michigan State Representative, Michigan State Senator, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer

• Reinstate Climate Protections and Restore Biden-Era Standards

  Updated 8/3/25

  Issue: The administration has rolled back key climate standards that were implemented during the Biden era.
  What’s at Risk? Public health protections, fuel efficiency standards, and climate mitigation plans are at risk of being dismantled.
  Action: Tell Congress to restore federal climate protections and defend the authority of agencies like the EPA.
  Who to Send This Letter To: Your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative

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Mail These Letters To: (Ferndale, MI)

U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D – Junior Senator)
The Honorable Elissa Slotkin
825B Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D – Senior Senator)
The Honorable Gary Peters
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (MI-11)
The Honorable Haley Stevens
2411 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

State Representative Helena Scott (HD-8)
The Honorable Helena Scott
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514

State Senator Mallory McMorrow (SD-8)
The Honorable Mallory McMorrow
Michigan Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Governor Gretchen Whitmer
The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909

Not Sure Who Represents You?

Use these tools to find your specific state and federal legislators:

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Michigan-based organizations

Addressing Environmental Injustice in Michigan

Organization: Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC)
Website: michiganenvironmentaljustice.org
Why recommend: MEJC is a statewide leader in climate and environmental justice. They work directly with frontline communities most impacted by pollution and climate change. Their work includes policy advocacy, community science, and coalition-building to push for equitable climate solutions and stronger protections for vulnerable communities.

Advancing Solar Power and Energy Justice

Organization: Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC)
Website: michiganenvironmentaljustice.org
Why recommend: Based in Highland Park, Soulardarity helps communities build power literally and politically by installing community-owned solar infrastructure. Their focus is on racial justice, utility accountability, and energy democracy in under-resourced neighborhoods. Their work models solutions for local energy resilience and equity.