A $2 billion plan to clean up century-old mining waste illustrates how tribes have been uniquely impacted by mining pollution, and why some are skeptical of new mine proposals.
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 Government
Democrats grow Michigan Supreme Court edge as Kyra Bolden, Kimberly Thomas win
Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas win Michigan Supreme Court races, building on majority for Democratic nominees
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Mining is back in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Here’s how it works
A mining rush is on for minerals used for electric batteries, as the United States undergoes an energy transition. Photos show how the process works.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Mining rush brings hope, dread to Upper Peninsula, amid historic energy shift
Decades after the bust, prospectors again descend on Michigan’s northwoods for minerals to make electric batteries. Communities are desperate for jobs. But at what cost?
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Activist: Don’t repeat history. Mines won’t save Upper Peninsula or climate
An artist is leading the fight against expanding mining in the western UP. She says society needs a reckoning about consumption, not more heavy extraction.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Retiree: Mining brought good life. Revival would help young Michigan families
The western Upper Peninsula is ‘at the end of the road,’ desperately needs help and should welcome mining with open arms, a retired miner says.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Up to 3.2M in Michigan may be getting water from PFAS-tainted aquifers
With lots of domestic well users and plenty of polluting industries, Michiganders are among the nation’s most likely to have ‘forever chemicals’ in their well water, according to a landmark federal study.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As deer ravage suburbs, Michigan urges hunters: Do your part, shoot a doe
Michigan’s deer populations have soared to 2 million, so the state is tweaking regulations to encourage hunters to shoot more females.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan a top winner of climate funds Trump wants to revoke
If elected, Trump has vowed to revoke unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, a climate spending law that has heavily benefitted Michigan governments and industry. But experts say it wouldn’t be easy.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
A decade after Flint, feds require nationwide lead pipe removal
A rule finalized Tuesday gives water providers across the country 10 years to get lead pipes out of their drinking water systems.