The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is the main state agency in Michigan that handles environmental matters. It was previously called the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ or DEQ). The department was established in 1995.

History

In 1995, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was created by Executive Order No. 1995-18. This order moved environmental regulatory responsibilities from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the new DEQ. This change was part of Governor John Engler’s plan to have more direct control over state environmental policies and reduce the number of state environmental workers through budget cuts.

Russell J. Harding was the first director of the DEQ, chosen by Governor Engler. Harding was known for opposing state and federal efforts to address climate change. During his leadership, the Michigan DEQ refused federal grants to study climate change and avoided working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Harding believed that focusing on climate change could harm the state’s economy.

In 1996, Executive Order No. 1996-1 moved responsibility for programs related to drinking water and radiation protection from the Michigan Department of Public Health to the DEQ. Executive Order No. 1996-2 also moved the Low Level Radioactive Waste Authority from the Michigan Department of Commerce to the DEQ.

In 1997, Executive Order No. 1997-2 transferred oversight of the Above Ground Storage Tank Program and inspections of dry cleaning businesses from the Department of State Police to the DEQ. Executive Order No. 1997-3 moved the Michigan Environmental Science Board and the Environmental Administration Division from the Michigan Department of Management and Budget to the DEQ.

In 1999, the Water Quality Advisory Board was created by Executive Order 1999-10. This group advises the DEQ on creating a long-term plan to monitor water quality in Michigan’s rivers, lakes, and streams and identify areas needing improvement.

In 2009, Governor Jennifer Granholm tried to merge the DNR and DEQ into a new department called the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE). The state Senate opposed this plan, but Granholm’s Executive Order No. 2009-45 combined the two agencies despite the Senate’s objections.

In early 2010, a new Saginaw Bay District headquarters for the Michigan DNR opened in Bay City. This building was reported to be the most energy-efficient in Michigan and the first government building in the state to earn LEED Platinum certification.

In 2011, Governor Rick Snyder’s first executive order, Executive Order 2011-1, separated the DNRE back into the DNR and DEQ. Snyder said this would help each agency focus on its main goals. A state law passed in October 2011 moved the Michigan Geological Survey from the DEQ to Western Michigan University (WMU). This made WMU the official geoscience agency in Michigan, responsible for mapping and studying the state’s geological resources.

In 2015 and 2016, the Michigan DEQ faced criticism for its role in the Flint water crisis. Officials ignored concerns from residents about water quality in Flint, delaying action to address lead contamination. The DEQ also changed water test results to incorrectly show that the water was safe. DEQ Director Dan Wyant admitted in October 2015 that the department had failed to follow federal rules and made other mistakes.

The DEQ also dismissed reports from a researcher about rising lead levels in Flint children. A December 2015 report by the Flint Water Advisory Task Force said the DEQ was primarily responsible for the crisis and failed to ensure safe drinking water. Governor Snyder apologized, and DEQ Director Wyant and public information officer Brad Wurfel resigned.

On April 23, 2019, the documentary Flushing Flint claimed that the Michigan DEQ manipulated water testing by taking samples after running water from taps for several minutes. This practice violated U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, which require "first-draw samples" from taps.

In 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s first reorganization plan for the department was rejected by the legislature for removing three panels recently created by the legislature. Whitmer signed a second order that kept two of the panels and renamed the department the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. This order also created new offices, including the Office of Climate and Energy, Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate, and an Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team. The Office of the Great Lakes was moved from the Department of Natural Resources. These changes took effect on April 22, 2019.

Administration and budget

The EGLE is located at Constitution Hall in Lansing, the state capital. The DEQ managed ten district and field offices, each responsible for specific counties. These offices are located in the following cities: Bay City, Cadillac, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Lansing, Marquette, Warren, and Detroit.

Under Michigan Public Act 252 of 2014, the DEQ's budget for the 2015 fiscal year, which ran from October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, was approximately $502 million. In April 2014, Governor Snyder used this funding to help increase the residential recycling rate in Michigan, which was about 14.5 percent at that time.

MiCorps

MiCorps, also known as the Michigan Clean Water Corps, is a group of volunteer programs in Michigan that monitor water quality. It was started with a special order from Governor Jennifer Granholm to help the Department gather and share water quality information. This information is used to manage and protect water resources in the state.

List of directors

• Russell J. Harding served from 1995 to 2003 under Governor John Engler
• Steven E. Chester served from January 2003 to January 2010 under Governor Jennifer Granholm
• Dan Wyant served from 2011 to December 29, 2015 under Governor Rick Snyder
• Keith Creagh served from December 30, 2015, to July 2016 (interim) under Governor Rick Snyder
• Heidi Grether served from August 1, 2016, to December 1, 2018, under Governor Rick Snyder
• Liesl Clark served from 2019 to 2022 under Governor Gretchen Whitmer
• Dan Eichinger served from December 2, 2022, to April 28, 2023 (interim) under Governor Gretchen Whitmer
• Aaron Keatley served from April 28, 2023, to June 30, 2023 (interim) under Governor Gretchen Whitmer
• Phil Roos has served from June 30, 2023, to the present under Governor Gretchen Whitmer