At Reopening of Michigan Central Station, Activists Call on Ford to Invest in Green Steel
DETROIT — At the historic reopening of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, Public Citizen called on Ford Motor Company late yesterday to invest in green steel and clean up the company’s supply chain.
At the event and concert marking the opening of Michigan Central Station following a six-year restoration by Ford Motor Company, activists from Public Citizen circulated a mobile billboard with a short video calling for the company to green its supply chain for steel.
“For centuries, making steel has been a dirty business, not only because it harms our climate, but also because it spews toxic chemicals into the air, compromising the health of local communities,” said Carly Oboth, senior supply chain campaigner with Public Citizen’s Climate Program. “Now, there’s technology available to make green steel without relying on fossil fuels. As a major buyer of steel, Ford has taken small steps to signal demand for fossil-free steel, but actions speak louder than words, and we’re calling on Ford to make a concrete procurement agreement to incentivize steel makers to invest in this much-needed, cleaner technology.”
Public Citizen launched a campaign in April to pressure Ford to implement sustainable practices along its supply chain. Among Public Citizen’s demands of the automaker are to publicly declare support for decarbonizing the steel used in its vehicles and to commit to purchasing green steel manufactured in the United States.
The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced award negotiations for the first hydrogen-ready steel and iron-making facilities in the U.S. The awards will be finalized in the coming months.
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