March 16, 2005

The State of Michigan’s new streamlined Air Permitting Process has been nominated by the General Motors Corporation Worldwide Facilities Group for the “Crew Award” that recognizes the teamwork that went into making the state’s air permitting process, one of the best in the nation.

This nomination is the latest recognition the Department of Environmental Quality has received since it streamlined its air quality permitting program, cutting the time it takes businesses to receive an air use permit from 18 months to as little as 21 days. The new process, developed by DEQ staff in conjunction with GM, Ford, and Daimler/Chrysler eliminates waste creating efficiencies that improve how Michigan processes air permits while continuing the protection of the state’s public health and environment.

“This streamlined air permitting process demonstrates our commitment to enhancing the quality of Michigan’s environment and making government more cost effective, cost efficient, and responsive to citizens and businesses,” said DEQ Director Steven Chester. “Recognition by the private sector confirms that we are accomplishing our goals.”

Earlier this month, Lacks Enterprises applauded the new air permitting process after receiving approval for a modification to an existing permit in just 39 days.

“The new air permitting process establishes well defined timetables for processing permit applications for both the agency and the permit applicant that provides certainty in the entire process,” said Roger Andrzejewski, Executive Director of Lacks Enterprises in Kentwood Michigan.

In February, Pfizer, Inc. also commended the DEQ on its streamlined air permitting process.

“This was Pfizer’s first opportunity to submit a permit to install application using MDEQ’s new permit scoping process, and it proved very successful,” wrote Antoon Brusselmans, Site Leader for Pfizer. “The permit for our new Dectomax and Revolution facility was approved within a month and one-half of the initial request.”

And Randy J. Preim, Vice President of Operations at Grede Foundries, Inc. of Kingsford, Michigan, also commended the DEQ for the streamlined process.

“Any interruption or curtailment in production would have had far reaching consequences...we appreciate the time, energy, and thoughtfulness in protecting our valuable natural resources and at the same time keeping Michigan manufacturing strong by being solution oriented,” Preim wrote.

The Crew Award is one of many awards given out by the General Motors Worldwide Facilities Group. Recipients of the awards are nominated by their peers, supervisors, or co-workers. The Crew Award is given when a team of people have joined together and accomplished a major goal above and beyond what is normally expected as part of their job duties.

This process allows Michigan’s job providers to spend more time and money on producing quality products and employing Michigan citizens while allowing the DEQ to continue to protect public health and the environment.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised March 16, 2005 by Pat Watson