Pollution in Michigan

Milan, Romeo and Wyoming are Michigan towns with something in common: All are sitting on shuttered auto plants where legacy pollution may complicate their path to recovery.

Bridge Michigan set out to quantify the financial and environmental toll factory contamination has exacted on Michigan, and what the state can do to avoid repeating history in the shift to EVs. Here’s what we found.

Our first-of-its-kind analysis identified at least $259 million in publicly subsidized cleanups at more than 100 sites linked to Michigan’s automotive industry. Here’s why the tab is almost certainly far higher.

Michner Plating, a former automotive metal plater in Jackson, left contaminated soil and groundwater when it went bankrupt and closed shop. Auto suppliers are responsible for some of Michigan’s costliest cleanups.

Experts say Michigan can do a better job clearing contaminants that linger from the state’s industrial past and avoid leaving blighted properties in the future. They offer five suggestions.

There is growing concern among Democrats and Republicans about what they view as one-sided corporate giveaways in the rush to attract EV investment to Michigan. Lawmakers from both sides say they are now pushing for change.

Older, abandoned factories are often located near what businesses seek today: highways, rail, full utilities and access to workers. Investing in tainted sites carries financial risk and higher costs, but there are also rewards.