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Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Articles
Michigan environment roundup: Glacier that formed Great Lakes is disappearing
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Judge upholds Line 5 tunnel authority as Dana Nessel’s review continues
The Michigan Court of Claims ruling won’t end of legal battles surrounding the legality of the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority, created to oversee a tunnel surrounding Enbridge Energy’s Line 5.
Less skiing, thinner ice, canceled fests. Michigan adapts to climate change
The last few weeks notwithstanding, winters are warming, changing Pure Michigan and forcing those who rely on snow and cold to get creative.
Warming temps mean many Michigan lakes won’t freeze in coming years
Climate change means that inland lakes in much of the Lower Peninsula may not regularly freeze during winter, endangering the ecosystem and a way of life.
Michigan environment roundup: PFAS found in 119 Michigan water systems
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Gretchen Whitmer remakes Michigan DEQ again, but leaves oversight panels intact
Fresh off an override by Republicans, the Democratic governor issued an executive order Wednesday to reshuffle the DEQ. Oversight panels will remain, pending a legal review.
Consumers Energy chief: We’re making changes after natural gas crisis
Consumers Energy will be less reliant on a single facility that can pump up to 64 percent of its gas, its CEO tells lawmakers Wednesday. A fire at the facility last month sparked a crisis that almost led to shutoffs.
Here's how your ideas could help save Lake Superior's Buffalo Reef
Michigan officials are mulling how to thwart millions of tons of mining waste threatening to smother Buffalo Reef, a vital spawning ground for lake trout and whitefish. Here’s your chance to offer feedback.
Michigan environment roundup: 13 water systems fail federal lead test.
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
After Republican lawmakers killed Gretchen Whitmer’s environmental shakeup, what’s next?
The ball’s now in Whitmer’s court amid a power struggle over environmental oversight.
Few love Michigan’s DEQ. But are oversight panels worth Whitmer-GOP showdown?
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is locked in a showdown with Republicans over her plan to kill oversight panels. Both sides agree citizens should have a say in regulations, but have disagreed for years about how to do so.
Michigan environment roundup: Ice fishing under threat in Michigan
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Michigan Senate debates reversing Gov. Whitmer’s environmental overhaul
The conversation follows a House vote to block Whitmer’s executive order to transform the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. It’s the latest in a power struggle that may derail bipartisanship.
Michigan Republicans move to block Gov. Whitmer’s environmental overhaul
One month after taking office and pledging to work with Republicans, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plans to reorganize the state’s environment agency face a challenge from Republican lawmakers. They’re upset she plans to abolish oversight groups that give businesses a say in regulations.
Gretchen Whitmer reshapes Michigan environmental watchdog agency
The new Democratic governor is revamping DEQ to more closely focus on clean water, climate change and protecting poor communities from environmental harm. Republicans vow to hold hearings.
In Flint, trust is lost. And bottled water supplies are running low.
A year after Michigan declared Flint’s drinking water “restored” and began encouraging residents to return to their faucets, the city’s demand for bottled water remains sky-high, leading to hours-long waits for dwindling supplies.
Flint residents welcome Nestlé donations. But its ads? Not so much.
The water conglomerate is donating millions of bottles of water to Flint. But it’s taking millions of gallons of water from central Michigan and touting its efforts on television. That’s led to mixed feelings.
Bridge Magazine wins Michigan Environmental Journalism Award
The Michigan Sierra Club recognized Bridge for expanding its coverage of the environment in its Michigan Environment Watch edition.
After Flint, Michigan toughened lead rules. Now water utilities are suing.
Detroit-area water providers are challenging Michigan’s rules for lead in drinking water, which are the nation’s toughest. The challenge has high stakes for public health and ratepayers’ wallets.
Dana Nessel moves to drop Michigan from suits fighting EPA clean air rules
Three weeks into office, the Democrat attorney general begins to roll back litigation initiated by her Republican predecessor, Bill Schuette.