As climate change threatens to warm Michigan rivers, dam removal can drive temperatures down by several degrees overnight. An influx of state and federal money has boosted removal efforts, but advocates say more is needed.
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
Gone nearly a century, Michigan anglers can again catch Arctic grayling
Roughly 87 years since Arctic grayling were spotted in Michigan, the iridescent fish will soon be fishable in a handful of Upper Peninsula lakes. The state hopes to eventually build a self-sustaining population in the Lower Peninsula.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Proposed state oversight of solar, wind pits energy needs v. rural rights
Democratic bill sponsors say local fights over renewable energy threaten Michigan’s ability to meet climate goals and deliver reliable power. But Republican lawmakers say they fear rural communities will be railroaded by the green energy transition.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
With tensions rising, Michigan Democrats unveil clean energy reforms
A bill package introduced Tuesday would give the state control over the permitting of large wind and solar projects. Controversy is brewing as Democrats negotiate other parts of their clean energy package behind closed doors.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
In warming Great Lakes, climate triage means some cold waters won’t be saved
Government officials begin the grim task of prioritizing which cold lakes and rivers to sacrifice — or save — as the climate changes. Not all cold-water loving fish may survive in the northern Great Lakes region.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Enbridge: Federal review of Line 5 tunnel permit is ‘inexplicably lethargic’
The Canadian energy giant pleads with Michigan officials to intervene, saying federal authorities are slow-walking their review of a key permit needed to build a tunnel in a pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Democrats seek to reverse Michigan’s ban-on-bans of plastic bags
Democrats took a step forward in their quest to abolish a controversial “ban on bans” of plastic bags. However, some are concerned that local measures could be costly.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Consumers Energy tells Michigan residents it needs partners to keep hydro dams
As Consumers Energy ponders the fate of its 13 hydropower dams, nearby residents push to keep them operational. But Consumers officials have said they won’t allow customers to absorb the $781 million cost of doing so.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Climate change is harming Michigan hunting and fishing, groups warn lawmakers
Michigan’s wild places — and the fish and wildlife that call them home — are under threat as warmer temperatures cause species to migrate northward and rivers to overheat. Advocates called for more resources to protect Michigan’s fish and game from those changes.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As automakers win incentives for EV plants, Michigan pays for polluted past
The auto industry is getting billions to build battery plants on rural land, while taxpayers pay for contaminated plants left behind. Will history repeat itself? Or will Michigan forge a new path?