MI Lawmakers Request Emergency for Freezing Pipes

With dozens of communities across the U.P. requiring residents to run their water to prevent pipes from freezing, local lawmakers are speaking up to the governor about the issue. State Representative John Kivela presented a bipartisan letter to Gov. Rick Snyder requesting that he declare a state of emergency for frozen water lines. With historic cold temperatures, many communities are struggling to maintain necessary services despite the utilization of mandated “let water run” orders. Michigan Democratic House leader Tim Greimel says discussions on the freezing pipes issue have been ongoing. Recently, Marquette County requested a local state of emergency declaration from the state Emergency Response System and was denied. Kivela says he is working with legislators to make sure residents throughout the state see relief in the near future.