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The Ajax asphalt plant is seen mid-construction on May 10, 2022 in Flint, Mich. (Sylvia Jarrus for Earthjustice)
Press Release April 17, 2023

Flint Groups React to Opening of Toxic Ajax Asphalt Plant

Despite two federal civil rights investigations and a lawsuit, Michigan allowed operations to start

In the News: Michigan Live April 13, 2023

Flint, Ajax, community groups explain appeals for controversial asphalt plant permit

Earthjustice Attorney Debbie Chizewer, who represented the five community groups, said the judge’s decision is urgent as Ajax began testing operations this week. “Environmental justice is critically important in this appeal because of the consequences of the facility,” Attorney John Petoskey, representing the community groups, said. “We’re hoping that that was communicated today and it…

Document February 17, 2023

Final court brief challenging the Ajax asphalt plant permit in Flint

Five community groups respond to Ajax in a final briefing before the Genesee County Circuit Court. The groups are appealing a decision by Michigan’s environmental agency to allow the Ajax corporation to install a toxic asphalt plant in a predominantly Black, low-income, and environmentally overburdened neighborhood.

Document January 24, 2023

Response Brief to Ajax

Brief in Genesee County Circuit Court responds to Ajax’s arguments, which ask the court to undo the modest pollution controls included in their permit.

The Ajax asphalt plant is seen mid-construction on May 10, 2022 in Flint, Mich. (Sylvia Jarrus for Earthjustice)
case January 19, 2023

Defending Flint, Michigan from a Toxic Asphalt Plant

In the fall of 2021, Michigan’s environmental agency (EGLE) authorized the Ajax corporation to build a toxic hot-mix asphalt plant near Flint. Close to 3,000 people live within a one-mile radius of the plant site, in a low-income area already overburdened with industrial polluters. The asphalt plant will release harmful chemicals like sulfur dioxide and…

Press Release November 8, 2022

Court Arguments Begin Over Toxic Asphalt Plant Near Flint

Community groups point to Michigan’s history of racial discrimination in environmental permitting

Document November 4, 2022

Court Brief Challenging EGLE's Decision to Permit Ajax Asphalt Plant

Members of the Coalition to Stop Ajax Asphalt Plant present arguments to the Genesee County Circuit Court to appeal a decision by Michigan’s environmental agency to allow the Ajax corporation to install a toxic asphalt plant in a predominantly Black, low-income, and environmentally overburdened neighborhood.

Document October 13, 2022

Letter to HUD on Genesee Township History of Racial Discrimination in Environmental Zoning

Archival research shows evidence of Genesee Township’s discriminatory intent when it approved the zoning and building permits for the Ajax asphalt plant.

Document March 23, 2022

EPA response to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) re Ajax permit

The EPA responds to requests for guidelines and assistance following EGLE’s approval of the Ajax asphalt plant in Flint.

Document March 11, 2022

EPA Letter Accepting Title VI Civil Rights Complaint

Environmental Protection Agency’s External Civil Rights Compliance Office (ECRCO) will investigate whether the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) discriminated in approving the Ajax asphalt plant specifically and through its air permit program generally.

Document February 11, 2022

Ajax Claim of Appeal

On behalf of its members, directors, and staff, Flint Rising, the Environmental Transformation Movement of Flint, Michigan United, C.A.U.T.I.O.N., and the St. Francis Prayer Center claims an appeal of the decision of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), on November 15, 2021, to issue Air Permit to Install No. 90-21 (Permit) to Ajax Materials Corporation. The Permit is attached as Exhibit 1 to this Claim of Appeal.

Press Release February 11, 2022

Flint residents sue state agency for approving air-polluting asphalt plant

The Ajax plant will dump lead and other air pollutants in a community still reeling from lead poisoning

Document December 15, 2021

Flint Title VI complaint Ajax asphalt plant

Residents of Genesee County file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development over the local approval of a polluting hot-mix asphalt plant.

Press Release December 15, 2021

Flint residents file civil rights complaint over asphalt plant approval

Asphalt plant will dump air pollution in a Black community unrecovered from lead poisoning

Press Release November 15, 2021

Michigan Approves Another Polluter in Flint

Asphalt plant will pump more pollution into the air in a community not yet recovered from lead poisoning

Document September 22, 2021

Comments on Ajax Permit Application Submitted to EGLE

Comments submitted during the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) public participation period to oppose the air quality permit for Ajax, based on the cumulative impacts of adding another asphalt plant in an already environmentally over-burdened community.