Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester will participate in legislative hearings being held in Ann Arbor and Southfield and host an additional public meeting in Grand Rapids to discuss Michigan's role in addressing global climate change. The first hearing of the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee being hosted by State Representative Rebekah Warren will take place on Thursday, May 15, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Concordia University's Black Box Theater in Ann Arbor. The event is a formal hearing of the committee and will be free and open to the public.

"I look forward to taking part in these important discussions that will help guide Michigan's policymakers in addressing the global problem of climate change," said DEQ Director Chester. "Michigan is in a unique position to make the kinds of changes necessary to protect our environment while also fostering the growth of alternative energies that will grow our economy."

Director Chester will host a public meeting on the issue on May 29, from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Loosemore Auditorium at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids. An additional formal hearing of the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee will take place on June 10, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the City of Southfield Public Library.

"It's critical that Michigan begin a public dialog about Global Warming, its expected impacts on our state's public health, environment, and economy, and the hard decisions we all must make to meet the challenges of a changing climate," said Representative Warren.

Climate change experts will share their knowledge of the issue at the meetings and legislators and the public will be invited to ask questions following their presentations. These experts include Dr. Henry Pollack, Dr. Joyce Penner, and Dr. Barry Rabe, all from the University of Michigan, who will speak at the May 15 hearing. Dr. Knute Nadelhoffer from the University of Michigan, Dr. Karol Rogers from Grand Valley State, and David Ullrich from the Great Lakes Cities Initiative will speak at the May 29 meeting in Grand Rapids. Dr. David Skole and Dr. Jeff Andreson, both from Michigan State University, will speak on June 10 in Southfield.

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

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised May 8, 2008 by Pat Watson