Weeks after General Motors was hit with a $12.75 million penalty for secretly selling California drivers’ data to brokers, the American manufacturer has been fined again, this time by the State of Michigan, for emissions violations at one of its plants.
According to a report by The Detroit News, GM faces a $50,000 “nominal” fine by the environmental regulators because they found an issue with the air-cleaning equipment at the Lansing Grand River Assembly and Stamping plant that produces the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans.
Authorities have raised health and environmental concerns after they performed mandatory checks.
Scrutiny led to the conclusion that GM allegedly failed to comply with the regulations at the Lansing plant.
Detection of a VOC Problem at the Lansing Plant
Following an inspection of the plant in question, the inspectors with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, concluded that GM did not maintain its rotating carbon concentrator, leading to the build-up of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
VOCs are gases emitted during the manufacture and assembly process. They are also emitted by domestic items such as paint, perfumes, etc.
That said, a VOC concentration beyond permissible limits can pollute the air and affect the health of employees at the plant.
EGLE inspectors were at the Lansing plant on July 23, 2025, to check whether it was complying with the federal Clean Air Act, state environmental laws, and its operating permit.
Findings revealed that the plant had missed an annual inspection. In addition, some seals on the air-cleaning equipment needed replacement. A violation notice highlighted a “general concern for maintenance of the abatement equipment.”
Notably, EGLE spokesperson Josef Stephens told The Detroit News that emission levels at the Lansing plant were well within the specified limits, despite issues with the air-cleaning equipment.
GM confirmed the same in a statement by spokesperson Kevin Kelly, which read:
“General Motors takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and is committed to complying with state and federal requirements. Lansing Grand River Assembly’s total VOC emissions remained below the allowable limits during the period in question.”
Nick Leonard, executive director of the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, confirmed that with the level of emissions at the Lansing plant, it is unlikely that the neighbors noticed a change in air quality.
GM is Expected to Comply With State Rules on Air-Cleaning Devices
Despite the air quality levels at the Lansing plant being within the safe limits, GM has been penalized for violations of rules related to air-cleaning devices.
As part of a pending deal with regulators, the company is expected to comply with the rules for the next two years and follow steps to control pollution within the plant’s operating limits.
In addition, GM will pay a $50,000 fine to Michigan’s general fund. Although the pollution level at the plant was in accordance with local environmental laws, Leonard said he would not treat any kind of violation lightly. He said:
“Air quality laws and regulations exist to protect the public health. Any violation I would categorize as serious.”
He went on to say that the fine amount was “nominal,” and sets an example for other companies to know “that violating the law is going to cost them more than it’s going to cost them more money than operating in non-compliance.” [sic]
He added:
“You’re not just trying to penalize the company at issue. You’re trying to deter that company and all other companies from violating the law in the future.”