BRIGHTON—A plastics manufacturer reached an agreement with the state to investigate and address hazardous substances known as “forever chemicals” at a former factory in Livingston County, Attorney General Dana Nessel said Monday.
Asahi Kasei Plastics North America will also pay $663,000 to the state for past and future response costs at the site as well as more than $2 million in legal fees to lawyers hired by the state, according to the agreement.
“This settlement reflects my promise to protect the public and the environment from the harmful impacts of PFAS and hold companies responsible for contamination,” Nessel said.
PFAS chemicals have been used in consumer products and industry since the 1940s.
Asahi operated the site until 2000. State regulators say PFAS chemicals used in plastic compounding have turned up in soil and groundwater.
Asahi is not admitting liability under the consent decree.
Asahi is a “proud Michigan employer with deep ties to the local community,” the company said. “We are committed to protecting and preserving our state’s environment and acting as a responsible corporation and member of the community.”
Politics
VIDEO: How Michigan public schools survived the pandemic
https://www.tiktok.com/@gandernewsroom/video/7357799499571531050
What to know about Trump’s legal issues
Over the past year, former president Donald Trump has become the center of not one, not two, not three, but four criminal investigations, at both...
Michigan lawmakers look to break (another) state funding record for public schools
Democratic lawmakers are hashing out plans to bring state funding for Michigan’s public schools to another new, all-time high—and ensure teachers...
Local News
Lawyers for Nassar assault survivors have reached $100M deal with Justice Department, AP source says
The US Justice Department has agreed to pay approximately $100 million to settle claims with about 100 people who say they were sexually assaulted...
More Michigan teens could soon take driver’s ed in their own schools
Privatization of driver’s education means that only 38 Michigan high schools offer affordable in-school driving classes for students. New grants...