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Builders, chamber and county officials say EGLE permitting inconsistency and delays are costing Michigan projects
Summary
Business and local government witnesses told the committee inconsistent reviews, feeed expedited tracks and shifting requirements at the Michigan environmental agency lengthen timelines and raise costs for housing, commercial development and small processors.
Representatives of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Home Builders Association of Michigan, county drain commissioners and small processors told the House Oversight Committee that inconsistent permitting, shifting policy and staff practices inside the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) are delaying projects and raising costs across the state.
Michael Imo, senior director of legislative and external affairs with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said permitting has long been a barrier to investment and urged renewed collaboration with EGLE. "Environmental permitting is a difficult and complex balancing act of protecting our natural resources and communities while also ensuring that overly burdensome regulations don't stifle economic growth and investment," Imo told the committee.
The chamber and its witnesses proposed targeted…
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