The $50 million grant to the proposed UP mine drew angry shouts from opponents. Lawmakers also authorized money for an Ypsilanti supercomputing center, a Redford Township diesel engine maker, and Dow Chemical.
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
Michigan eyes hunting, fishing, boating fee increases, change to park fees
Democrats want to raise some fees by 50% or more and switch to an ‘opt-out’ model for recreation passports. The state says costs haven’t kept up with inflation.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s controversial wind, solar energy law is in effect. What to know
The law aims to counter local pushback that is slowing efforts to replace fossil fuel power with green energy. But it faces challenges. Here’s what to know.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Deep in the UP, an abandoned mine could offer hope for green energy fights
Michigan’s transition to green energy is plagued by fights over placing wind and solar arrays on farmland and forests. But fewer balked over plans to build a green energy plant on abandoned industrial land.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Once near extinction, lake trout are officially recovered in Lake Superior
A binational group of fisheries experts made the declaration Wednesday, after seven decades of effort to recover the fish from a collapse caused by invasive species and overfishing.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
UP mine sees recycling as path to more EV minerals and a greener image
At the Eagle Mine in Marquette County, a $145 million federal grant-funded project promises to turn dangerous mining waste into valuable metals and chemicals. Proponents hope it signals a new era of cleaner, more efficient mining. But some are skeptical.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan House OKs tax breaks to lure Google, Microsoft data server farms
Data server farms are big business. But it takes a ton of energy to store data in the cloud, prompting concerns among environmentalists. Michigan is poised to give the servers tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s PFAS drinking-water limits hang in balance of Supreme Court case
Michigan was hailed as a national leader when it set PFAS drinking water limits in 2020. Now, chemical company 3M wants the limits voided.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan deer hunt: Why rifle season won’t dent populations & other questions
The season starts Friday. You asked, we answered: Why isn’t year-round hunting? Why are deer so numerous even with so many hunters? What about a commercial hunt?
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
What a Donald Trump presidency means for Michigan’s environment
The incoming president is expected to resume the environmental rollbacks that were a signature of his first term in office, while prioritizing oil and gas and dismantling Biden-era electric vehicle and climate policies.