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Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Articles
Michigan shrinks credits for rooftop solar, clouding industry’s future
In a battle over fairness and who controls Michigan’s renewable energy future, utilities successfully pushed state lawmakers and regulators to lower compensation for rooftop solar owners who add electricity grid.
Consumers Energy chief sees solar future in Michigan
Amid shifting economics and concerns about climate change, Michigan’s biggest energy utility vows to slash carbon dioxide emissions 90 percent by 2040 — without building any new natural gas plants.
As the earth warms, Midwest searches to cut greenhouse gas
From farmers cutting manure to changes in the transportation industry, folks are looking for changes large and small as the climate changes.
Michigan environment roundup: Great Lakes water levels could break records
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Watch a video of anchor damage to Line 5 in Straits of Mackinac
As Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer nears decision on a tunnel to protect the pipeline, a video is released of mishap that environmentalists claim shows “Great Lakes dodged a bullet.”
Nestlé to allow feds to monitor water withdrawals in central Michigan
Nestlé said the U.S. Geological Survey will independently monitor conditions near an Osceola County well where Michigan regulators allow pumping of up to 400 gallons a minute for an Ice Mountain bottling plant.
Electric car fees in Michigan would soar under Whitmer’s roads plan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposal to boost gas taxes by 45 cents would also make Michigan’s electric vehicle fees the highest in the nation. Critics say that comes atop other state policies that have discouraged sales of cleaner cars.
DTE chief: We’re cutting carbon because it’s ‘defining issue of our era’
The energy company is accelerating its goal of cutting emissions by 80 percent. CEO Gerry Anderson says the company is ramping up solar and wind energy.
Cutting energy costs can be expensive. Michigan’s green bank can help.
A nonprofit known as Michigan Saves helps with financing and other efforts to cut sometimes exorbitant costs of becoming energy efficient.
Michigan mulls lifting barrier to solar energy on farmland
A task force is considering whether farmers enrolled in a preservation program should be allowed to add solar panels.
Michigan environment roundup: Minnesota has Isle Royale envy
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Fixing typo, Michigan loosens U.P. brook trout limits — for now
Michigan anglers can bag up to 10 brook trout on 33 U.P. streams this season, ranging from a stretch of the Iron River to the north branch of the Pine River. But the relaxed limit could be temporary.
Nestlé extends Flint bottled water donations through August
Since Michigan halted its free bottled water program, Nestlé has provided 100,000 bottles water per week to help centers that continue to face high demands from residents who refuse to drink from their taps.
Michigan’s UP is full of closed mines. Technology may give them new life
Upper Peninsula communities struggled when mines shuttered. Now, researchers are studying whether closed mines could be used to store energy, lowering cripplingly high energy costs.
Tired of bird poop at Great Lakes beaches? Send in the dogs, study says
A Central Michigan University study finds that dogs, particularly border collies, can greatly reduce bird poop at beaches that spread E. coli.
Michigan environment roundup: DTE closing coal plants early
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
With Line 5 tunnel plan halted, next steps may belong to Enbridge Energy
The chairman of the board that approved Michigan’s plans to pursue a tunnel around Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 oil pipeline doubts his board could defend its actions in court — because it no longer exists.
Halting Line 5 tunnel is ‘shameful.’ Prepare for a lawsuit, GOP leader says
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey defends process to build tunnel around oil pipeline and says Attorney General Dana Nessel ‘consistently tries … to upset what has been passed into law.’
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer halts action on Line 5 tunnel
Gretchen Whitmer’s move follows a legal opinion from fellow Democrat Attorney General Dana Nessel, who issued a legal opinion claiming the creation state authority to oversee the tunnel is unconstitutional.
Surging costs cause some Michigan cities to rethink recycling programs
Westland now sends recyclables to landfills, and other communities face hard choices as the market crashes. Tossing any old thing into the recycling bin is partially to blame.