EPA regional director won’t comment on settling Flint water crisis litigation
Updated Dec 07, 2020;
Posted Dec 07, 2020
U.S. EPA Regional Administer Kurt Thiede speaks during the press conference at Grand Valley State UniversityÕs Lake Michigan Center in Muskegon, Michigan on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
Alison Zywicki | azywicki@mlive.com
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FLINT, MI U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede detailed the federal government’s commitment to Flint in a news conference Monday, Dec. 7, but he would not comment on whether the federal government is willing to settle hundreds of civil lawsuits filed against it by city residents like the state of Michigan has done.
The federal judge overseeing a proposed $641 million settlement in the Flint water crisis civil litigation said she will decide by mid-January whether to approve the deal amid concerns from residents and some members of the Flint City Council that the amount is too low.
U.S. District Judge Judith Levy made the announcement Monday after she met via Zoom with scores of attorneys involved in the landmark case following years of court hearings and negotiations. Her decision will be issued in writing, she said, but will allow time for others such as residents to express concerns about the agreement.
The money, which was increased to $41 million this fall, would largely go to victims of the water crisis that emerged after Flint residents learned their drinking water had been contaminated with lead after a source switch to river water in 2014. Levy called the proposed deal “among the most complex settlements I have ever seen.”
Judge plans to hear from residents in $641 million Flint water deal
Ed White
Flint residents were exposed to water contaminated with lead and bacteria.
DETROIT A judge said Monday that she ll wait until January before deciding whether to give preliminary approval to a $641 million settlement in a lawsuit by Flint residents who were exposed to water contaminated with lead and bacteria.
Residents in the city of 100,000 still will get a chance to give their opinion if preliminary approval is granted, U.S. District Judge Judith Levy told lawyers over Zoom. If that hearing needs to go two or three or more days, that is how long it will take, Levy said.
Attorney expects approval of $641.2 million Flint water settlement next month In this March 21, 2016, file photo the Flint Water Plant water tower is seen in Flint, Mich. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says a proposed $600 million deal between the state of Michigan and Flint residents harmed by lead-tainted water is a step toward making amends. Officials announced the settlement Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, which must be approved by a federal judge. (Source: AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File) By Ann Pierret | December 21, 2020 at 7:22 PM EST - Updated December 21 at 11:11 PM
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - A public hearing on the $641.2 million proposed settlement happened Monday in Federal Court.
A federal judge promised Monday she will hear from all Flint residents with something to say about a proposed $600-million-plus payment to partially settle claims arising from the 2014 lead poisoning of the city s drinking water supply even if it requires a court hearing that stretches over several days.
U.S. District Judge Judith Levy said after a two-hour hearing that she hopes to issue a written opinion by mid-January on whether to give preliminary approval to the proposed settlement.
The proposed settlement with the state of Michigan, McLaren hospitals and Rowe Professional Services Co. grew to $641.25 million early Tuesday when the Flint City Council voted to join the settlement during a lengthy meeting, using $20 million in city insurance funds, after earlier twice postponing a decision.