As the Trump administration deemphasizes green energy and embraces fossil fuels, Michigan has seen more than $500 million in canceled federal climate grants while investment in EV battery plants and other green manufacturing has tanked.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan environmental issues for Bridge. She joined the Bridge staff in March 2020. Previously, Kelly reported for the Oregonian, where her coverage of the environment and other topics garnered national honors and sparked state efforts to better protect Oregon’s natural resources. She has a master’s degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor’s in journalism from Michigan State University. She is from Harrison and lives in Lansing. You can reach her at khouse@bridgemi.com or on Twitter at @Kelly_M_House.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
5 Michigan environment stories to watch in 2026
From data centers to nuclear plants, Michigan will see some big energy-related decisions next year that could shape the state’s environment for decades to come.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Regulators approve DTE contracts for Michigan’s first hyperscale data center
Regulators tacked on a host of conditions that, they say, protect DTE ratepayers from subsidizing the hefty cost of delivering energy to the facility. Data center opponents expressed outrage, while business leaders cheered the decision.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Federal judge: Michigan has no authority to shut down Line 5
US District Court Judge Robert Jonker said Michigan has ‘no power to interfere’ in the pipeline’s operations because safety issues fall under the US government’s purview.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan lawmakers unveil plan to repeal data center tax breaks
As a wave of new data center proposals prompts growing controversy in Michigan, two lawmakers are pushing legislation to repeal the tax breaks that have lured the industry to the state.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Worries over Michigan’s dams resurface as repair funds run dry, reforms lag
After the Midland dam failures, lawmakers set aside millions to fix or remove other problem dams but never updated Michigan’s weak dam safety laws. Now the money has run dry, leading some to fear a dam safety ‘déjà vu.’
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Gretchen Whitmer urges speed, critics want slowdown on Michigan data center
State utility regulators are deciding whether to grant swift approval or conduct a deeper review of a proposed energy contract for the state’s first hyperscale data center. A decision could come within days.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Line 5 tunnel option ‘rushed’ and unsafe, opponents say
Years into its review of a proposal to move Line 5 from the open water of the Great Lakes into a concrete-lined underground tunnel, the US Army Corps of Engineers has added a new option to the mix.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan data center review looks like ‘rush job,’ Dana Nessel says
During a roundtable Tuesday, the attorney general and allies renewed their calls for a thorough public vetting of DTE Energy’s proposed contract to deliver power to Michigan’s first planned hyperscale data center.
Posted inQuality of Life
In world of AI, Michigan State University Extension bets on human expertise
For 118 years, Michigan State University Extension has existed to serve the public with programs ranging from canning classes to soil testing and financial literacy workshops. Now, it aims to bill itself as an antidote to online misinformation.