(The Center Square) – Michigan farmers rallied at the state capitol Tuesday morning to protest what they call state government overreach in honor of National Agriculture Day.
The rally coincided with a state House Oversight Committee meeting, where industry leaders, farmers and agricultural advocates testified in opposition to actions taken by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
During the meeting, many shared concerns about excessive permitting and enforcement policies and actions by EGLE.
Dan Meccariello, vice president of operations at Generate Upcycle, detailed the company’s challenges with EGLE regarding its facility in Fremont, which eventually led to its closure in 2023 and the loss of a $25 million investment.
He stated that EGLE’s actions are unstable and unpredictable, making it uniquely “extremely difficult” to operate as a business in Michigan.
“The experiences that we have had in Michigan with EGLE are in stark contrast to those which we have with environmental regulators, governmental agencies, and stakeholders that we engage with in every other state, province, parish or country,” Meccariello said. “This includes states like California, New York and Ontario.”
The closure of the Generate Upcycle’s Michigan facility came after years of “company investing and going above and beyond” on working with EGLE to address concerns, Meccariello told the committee. He added that, though Generate Upcycle was a part of the clean energy sector, a policy priority for many in the state, the state’s regulatory framework made it no longer “viable” to continue operations.
“The kind of facility that should be a poster child for the governor’s initiative has been forced to close as a matter of last resort,” Meccariello said. “Because of an unfavorable regulatory circumstance, Michigan has lost this opportunity to establish itself as a leader.”
Others testified on behalf of the agriculture industry in Michigan, arguing EGLE’s interactions with farmers over the past few years have transitioned from cooperative to openly hostile.
“The Michigan Department oft Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has become hostile to farms in Michigan,” said James DeYoung, an agricultural regulation consultant. “We really need a better relationship between the regulators and the regulated, so that together we can come up with solutions that meet everyone’s goals.”
He added that Michigan farmers are already losing to other less-regulated states.
“It’s going to make it more difficult for Michigan to compete, more difficult for farmers to stay in,” DeYoung said. “It just costs Michigan farmers more.”
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Meat Association, and the Housing Association of Michigan all also testified and shared concerns they have with how EGLE operates.
They detailed their different perspectives on how EGLE’s actions are pushing businesses out of the state, creating more difficulties for economic expansion and housing development in Michigan, and even leading to an environment where farmers are afraid to speak out against EGLE for fear of retaliation.
No representatives from EGLE testified before the committee, but several committee members from both sides of the political aisle said they planned to dig further into allegations raised during testimony.
Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township and chairman of the committee, said he is concerned that EGLE’s actions show it is a “government agency that believes it is unchecked, unfettered, and has free rein.”
“I’m going to give you a commitment out of me,” DeBoyer said in response to testimony. “I’m going to fight this behavior, not only out of EGLE, but out of other departments that do the same kind of thing.”
