While regulators consider whether to let US Ecology pile waste higher at the Wayne Disposal landfill, state lawmakers are weighing legislation that would curtail the state’s waste industry. Protestors at a hearing Thursday accused House Speaker Matt Hall of holding up the bills.
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
Time running out for Great Lakes whitefish. Can ponds become their Noah’s Ark?
On the brink of collapse in Lakes Michigan and Huron, whitefish need a miracle. Now, some want to relocate fish en masse to inland waters to preserve dying bloodlines.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Consumers picks private equity fund to buy Michigan dams for $1 apiece
The deal allows Consumers to shed the last of its inventory of dams, which once numbered nearly 100. Buyer Confluence Hydro LLC plans to sell electricity back to the utility.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan Senate OKs plan to curtail hazardous waste and trash imports
Plan approved by the Michigan Senate would curtail the state’s hazardous waste industry by raising disposal fees, banning the disposal of some radioactive waste and pausing approvals for new facilities. It now heads to the House.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As mussels ravage Great Lakes whitefish, Lake Superior survives — for now
Chemistry, cold water and isolation make it hard for invasive mussels to get a foothold in the Big Lake. But a spate of recent outbreaks from Isle Royale to Canada’s Nipigon Bay have scientists unnerved.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s whitefish crisis: Your questions answered
If whitefish are in such dire straits, why is it still legal to fish them? And why can’t humans just eat all the mussels that are causing the whitefish collapse? Bridge Michigan has answers.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Trump administration extends order to keep Michigan coal plant open
Citing an “energy emergency,” the administration has ordered Consumers Energy to keep the JH Campbell coal plant open for another 90 days, delaying a planned retirement that was supposed to save Michigan ratepayers $600 million.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Report: States like Michigan ‘simply not prepared’ for data center water demand
The report from the regional Alliance for the Great Lakes warned states risk overtaxing water supplies if they rush to woo the computing facilities without closely studying whether aquifers and water utilities can handle the new use.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Michigan Dreaming Bucket List: Epic views, weather on Isle Royale seaplane
Taking one of the small planes to the remote Lake Superior island is No. 2 on the reader-voted bucket list. Taking off and landing from water is a thrill. Delays caused by the region’s notoriously unpredictable weather? Not so much.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch, Michigan Government
Trump admin cancels $156M Michigan solar program as coal plant decision looms
Michigan has already committed nearly $14 million of the federal funds to support projects from Escanaba to Detroit. State officials left the door open to a potential lawsuit.