Citing an “energy emergency,” the administration has ordered Consumers Energy to keep the JH Campbell coal plant open for another 90 days, delaying a planned retirement that was supposed to save Michigan ratepayers $600 million.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan's environment for Bridge Michigan, with a focus on the Great Lakes, climate change, industrial pollution, water quality and wildlife. She joined Bridge in March 2020 after reporting for the Oregonian, where her coverage earned national honors and sparked efforts to better protect Oregon's natural resources. Kelly holds a master's degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor's in journalism from Michigan State University.
Kelly grew up in Harrison and is based in Lansing.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Report: States like Michigan ‘simply not prepared’ for data center water demand
The report from the regional Alliance for the Great Lakes warned states risk overtaxing water supplies if they rush to woo the computing facilities without closely studying whether aquifers and water utilities can handle the new use.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Michigan Dreaming Bucket List: Epic views, weather on Isle Royale seaplane
Taking one of the small planes to the remote Lake Superior island is No. 2 on the reader-voted bucket list. Taking off and landing from water is a thrill. Delays caused by the region’s notoriously unpredictable weather? Not so much.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch, Michigan Government
Trump admin cancels $156M Michigan solar program as coal plant decision looms
Michigan has already committed nearly $14 million of the federal funds to support projects from Escanaba to Detroit. State officials left the door open to a potential lawsuit.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Smoky summers are Michigan’s new norm, experts say
Climate change is causing longer and more severe wildfire seasons in the western US and Canada, which means Michigan will continue to be vulnerable whenever summer winds blow in an unfortunate direction.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Great Lakes mussel research starved of funds as whitefish vanish
Quagga mussels deplete food and nutrients from waters, threatening to drive whitefish extinct. But scientists looking for a solution are working on a shoestring budgets, as much more money is devoted to other invasive species.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Can Michigan save beloved whitefish? Fate hinges on uphill bid to kill mussels
Decades into the mussel invasion, whitefish are on brink of collapse. Scientists are working on a Hail Mary bid to save the fish, using tarps, paint scrapers and a 1,200-pound steel plate.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan fishing regulators to discuss Great Lakes whitefish crisis
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Thursday will hear a presentation on the looming collapse of whitefish in lakes Michigan and Huron. Bridge Michigan is spending the summer exploring the ramifications.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
What the federal spending bill means for Michigan climate, EVs
Experts told Bridge Michigan that if the bill passes, utilities will likely slow their investments in renewable energy and prolong their reliance on natural gas, while automakers may again extend EV production timelines.
Posted inOutdoors Life
As inflation strains Michigan parks, DNR budgets, lawmakers weigh fee hikes
A package of Senate bills would require every registered vehicle owner to buy a parks pass when renewing their plates, while raising fees for hunting and fishing licenses for the first time in 11 years.