Bridge Michigan asked gubernatorial candidates for their stance on the hot-button issue of data centers, amid concerns surrounding Benson’s familial and professional connections to a data center developer. Here’s what they said.
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
Hundreds of miles of new transmission lines planned in Michigan
Michigan’s largest transmission company wants to build more than 350 miles of new high-voltage power lines across the Lower Peninsula in the coming years, starting with a 50-mile segment near Lansing. Company officials tout more reliable and cheaper energy, but neighbors are wary.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan AG Nessel sues big oil over ‘cartel’-like plot to kill clean energy
In a lawsuit expected to be filed today, Nessel alleges some of the world’s largest oil companies colluded to suppress the development of EVs and clean energy to keep Americans reliant on fossil fuels.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Whitmer wants Michigan to be a hub for ‘geologic hydrogen.’ What’s that?
Extracting the gas from underground could produce “a massive economic boom” for Michigan, Whitmer said as she announced an executive directive on hydrogen exploration. While Michigan is seen as a prime place to look for the gas, the industry faces headwinds.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
PFAS levels are declining in Great Lakes fish, new research shows
The study, spearheaded by a federal research office that the Trump administration has since dismantled, shows fish responded quickly after manufacturers stopped using some PFAS compounds.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan EV fees spike under road funding deal, now nation’s highest
Michigan has nearly doubled electric vehicle registration fees for 2026 as part of last year’s road funding deal, which triggered an overlooked provision of state law. As EV drivers call foul, a legislative fix seems unlikely.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan lost billions in climate-related investments in Trump’s first year
As the Trump administration deemphasizes green energy and embraces fossil fuels, Michigan has seen more than $500 million in canceled federal climate grants while investment in EV battery plants and other green manufacturing has tanked.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
5 Michigan environment stories to watch in 2026
From data centers to nuclear plants, Michigan will see some big energy-related decisions next year that could shape the state’s environment for decades to come.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Regulators approve DTE contracts for Michigan’s first hyperscale data center
Regulators tacked on a host of conditions that, they say, protect DTE ratepayers from subsidizing the hefty cost of delivering energy to the facility. Data center opponents expressed outrage, while business leaders cheered the decision.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Federal judge: Michigan has no authority to shut down Line 5
US District Court Judge Robert Jonker said Michigan has ‘no power to interfere’ in the pipeline’s operations because safety issues fall under the US government’s purview.