FCA Statement Regarding Michigan EGLE Approval of Voluntary Environmental and Air Monitoring Plans
 

February 28, 2020 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  The following is the FCA statement regarding the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) approval of the Company's voluntary Additional Projects Plan and Air Monitoring Plan related to Mack Assembly Plant in Detroit. Of note: EGLE approved FCA Mack Assembly Plant Permit to Install (PTI), 14-19, on April 26, 2019, which included elective environmental and air monitoring benefits.

We are pleased that Michigan EGLE approved both our voluntary environmental projects and our voluntary air monitoring plans related to the Mack Assembly Plant in Detroit. As we continue building our new state-of-the-art assembly plant and bring nearly 6,500 jobs to Michigan, including nearly 5,000 to Detroit, we know we have a great responsibility to minimize the environmental impact for this and future generations. 

We take this responsibility seriously, which is why we’re proud to say that our new Detroit assembly plant is both the future home of two electrified Jeep® vehicles and one of our most efficient and sustainable manufacturing operations. In fact, this facility will have the lowest achievable VOC emission rate of any auto assembly plant in the country, and once up and running in late 2020, will employ the latest in advanced technologies and processes, including:
  • Natural-gas powered Detroit-based semi-truck fleet to haul parts;
  • Zero emission hydrogen fuel cell-powered material handling fleet;
  • Zero waste-to-landfill manufacturing facility;
  • More than 30 electric vehicle charging stations;
  • Industry-leading water processing and recycling systems;
  • Benchmark energy efficiency practices, including planned LEED Certification of the new state-of-the-art paint shop; and,
  • Exclusive use of energy efficient LED lamps (over 6,000) inside and outside the facility. 
But, our commitment to Detroit goes well beyond our facilities. Our collective future lies in the hearts and minds of the people who live and thrive in the city. Supporting their growth is especially important to us. 

Together, the city of Detroit and FCA are providing more than $35 million in support for neighborhood improvements, housing, workforce development, education and training programs, and environmental initiatives. FCA’s contributions include: 
  • $1.8 million in grants to eligible homeowners (up to $15,000 per homeowner) on the city’s east side to repair and improve their homes; and,
  • $4 million to build an education-career pathway for local students and residents with the creation of a Manufacturing Career Academy at Southeastern High School.
Above and beyond our Community Benefits Agreement, FCA has committed an additional $3 million of capital investment toward the creation of a Mechatronics and Apprenticeship program at Wayne County Community College District. 

In total, the $8.8 million allows schools and homeowners to self-direct their upgrades to facilities and operations, which could include roof replacements, air filtration systems, asbestos abatement, lead abatement, mold remediation or other capital needs.
 
Last year, we also developed an internship program for nine seniors and recent graduates of Southeastern High School, five of whom continue working at our Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. 

Beyond these commitments, the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, has awarded $4,435,000 in grants. The majority of those dollars have benefited Michigan residents through charitable organizations, including:
  • $1.6 million in grants to 17 academic and nonprofit organizations to advance educational opportunities for Detroit-area students; and,
  • $100,000 grant in support of the installation of more than 500 hydration stations in Detroit Public Schools Community District.
Our employees are equally dedicated to strengthening the communities in which we live and work.

Through FCA’s Motor Citizens volunteer program, approximately 11,450 Michigan-based employees volunteered more than 46,500 hours last year, contributing their time and talents to nearly 1,500 community service projects. These projects include several that directly impacted residents of Detroit’s east side, including the beautification of the Beniteau Community Park and Canfield Alliance gardens, Jefferson Chalmers flood relief, the Keep Belle Isle Beautiful campaign and other initiatives.

Our commitment to strengthening our relationship with the community runs deep. Every person at FCA knows that we need to earn the trust of our neighbors if we are to build a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship. 

To do this, we began by listening to the community.

Throughout the last year, FCA leadership engaged with elected officials, community leaders, neighbors, environmental NGOs and other organizations. Over the course of 75 meetings, we worked to understand the environmental concerns expressed by our neighbors. 

We also met regularly with the Neighborhood Advisory Council, comprised of nine elected local residents, to help guide our decision making. Based upon community input, the following outlines the “Additional Projects Plan”:
  • Constructing and installing a stormwater park to control rain water runoff, which will be available for use by the neighborhood and feature a walking path surrounded by native vegetation, pollinator gardens and an educational pavilion;
  • Installing green buffer and bioswales on and around the plant location to improve the neighborhood aesthetics, improve air quality, reduce noise, reduce stormwater runoff and improve wildlife habitat;
  • Reviving the urban tree canopy by planting 1,100 new trees both on our property and within the immediate neighborhood in counsel with arborists and residents;
  • Transforming 300 vacant lots into green spaces where once blighted homes stood by planting trees, shrubs and gardens together with community organizations;
  • Partnering with the Wildlife Habitat Council to create and support thriving urban biodiversity, pollinator habitats, and on-campus conservation projects;
  • Supporting the Chandler Park Conservancy on development of their Education Plaza;
  • Hosting ongoing programs, such as “Salmon in the Classroom,” with local schools to build awareness and educate young students on the benefits of environmental stewardship;
  • Installing solar-powered bus stop shelters together with the Detroit Department of Transportation, providing residents a well-lit location and available mobile device charging stations;
  • Hosting informative environmental events on the benefits of rain barrel capture of stormwater and providing rain barrels to interested residents; and,
  • Establishing a quarterly newsletter to communicate FCA-related community activities and environmental initiatives distributed through both digital and printed methods.
Beyond our obligations pursuant to our Permit to Install (No. 14-19), we have elected to enhance the State of Michigan’s air monitoring network by installing an ambient air quality monitoring station on our property. This is in support of the community’s request for more accurate and reliable data that reflects the air quality on the east side of Detroit. We will work in collaboration with EGLE to share this data with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as we all work to help improve residents’ quality of life.

To summarize, we are working toward a shared vision for a positive future and throughout the entire journey, we will do our best to earn your trust. We are incredibly grateful to the community, elected officials and all stakeholders for this opportunity to build our next 100 years in Detroit. 

For more details on our proposal, please visit https://www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/downloads/permits/PubNotice/NSR_PTIs_Final_Decisions.pdf.

To get the latest developments on FCA activities, please visit fca4detroit.com.
 
FCA
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is a global automaker that designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles in a portfolio of exciting brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep®, Lancia, Ram and Maserati. It also sells parts and services under the Mopar name and operates in the components and production systems sectors under the Comau and Teksid brands. FCA employs nearly 200,000 people around the globe. For more details regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please visit www.fcagroup.com.   

 

Contact Information

Ann Marie Fortunate
Cell: (313) 401-4906
Download Video Embed