For nearly two decades, state law has forbidden environmental regulators from writing new water quality rules. Environmentalists contend that’s putting the public at risk. But business groups fear higher costs if Michigan reverses the ban.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan environmental issues for Bridge. She joined the Bridge staff in March 2020. Previously, Kelly reported for the Oregonian, where her coverage of the environment and other topics garnered national honors and sparked state efforts to better protect Oregon’s natural resources. She has a master’s degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor’s in journalism from Michigan State University. She is from Harrison and lives in Lansing. You can reach her at khouse@bridgemi.com or on Twitter at @Kelly_M_House.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan lawmakers have more energy priorities in 2024
Michigan lawmakers made sweeping changes to Michigan energy laws last fall. But plenty of items missed the cut, from community solar to finding solutions for Michigan’s outage-prone power grid.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Supreme Court poop dispute could have big impact on Michigan environment
How far can Michigan go in its quest to limit farm pollution in Michigan’s lakes and rivers? That’s the subject of a case now before the state’s highest court.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Group launches campaign to overturn Michigan solar siting law
Opponents of the new law, which stripped away local permitting control over large wind and solar projects, are pushing a ballot initiative that would ask voters in November to overturn the law.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Five reasons why Michigan deer herds are surging: hunting declines are just one
Declining hunting participation isn’t the only reason deer populations are skyrocketing. Blame suburban sprawl, a lack of hunting land in southern Michigan, a century-worth of predator suppression and the newer threat of climate change.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan state parks system leads the nation in accessible recreation
Michigan now has more options for mobility-impaired people to access beaches and trails than any other state, after a yearslong effort to make parks more accessible.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan farm czar: Our fight against Lake Erie pollution isn't working
Ahead of a gathering to assess the health of Lake Erie, the state acknowledges it won’t meet a 2025 deadline to cut phosphorus runoff into Lake Erie by 40 percent. The goal is to protect Lake Erie and Michigan’s small farms.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As pollution costs grow, Lansing shows scant interest in speeding cleanups
Michigan struggles to keep up as costs mount to clean up sites. But Lansing lawmakers aren’t considering options to raise more money for long-term contamination sites, making them likely to cost millions annually for generations.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Palisades owners plan two more Michigan nuclear reactors
Holtec International hopes to bring the small modular reactors online by 2030, but will first need to secure permits and overcome financial challenges that have stymied efforts to commercialize the nascent technology.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan regulators approve key permit for Enbridge Line 5 tunnel
The ruling puts Enbridge Energy a step closer to tunnel construction despite opposition from environmental and Native American groups and Democratic officials. Critics say they fear catastrophe if the pipelines remain in the Straits of Mackinac.