The beverage industry is pushing for legislation that would give it a piece of the $40 million-plus from Michigan’s unclaimed bottle deposit money, diverting it away from state environmental cleanups.
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
Edenville Dam owners file for bankruptcy, blaming regulators for floods
Facing a host of lawsuits, companies that operated the dams that failed during historic flooding seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, using the filing to list a litany of grievances against federal regulators and neighbors.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Edenville Dam inspector: ‘People want to point fingers,’ but I did my best
Michigan is adding a third dam inspector as part of reforms following the failure of the Edenville Dam that caused $200 million in damages. One inspector who oversaw the dam defends the state’s actions, saying “There’s no ‘Easy’ button, or we would have pushed it.”
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
COVID-19 hinders Michigan’s efforts to track mosquito-borne illnesses
Testing delays and lab shutdowns tied to the novel coronavirus have stymied public health officials’ efforts to track and contain mosquito-borne illnesses after a deadly outbreak of diseases in 2019.
Posted inMichigan Government
Supreme Court: Flint residents can seek damages from state in lead crisis
Michigan’s highest court ruled that residents can proceed with a case seeking financial damages from the state and emergency managers for their role in the Flint water crisis.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
10 years later, Kalamazoo River spill still colors Enbridge pipeline debate
A decade since oil spewed into the Kalamazoo River from Enbridge’s Line 6B, the cleanup effort is ending. But the spill’s legacy lives on in the debate it sparked over Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Legal claim blames federal regulators for Edenville Dam failure
In a claim filed this week, a Sanford couple whose home was destroyed in the floodwater argues federal regulators never should have granted Boyce Hydro a license to generate power at the Edenville Dam.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s coast is being armored with seawalls, making erosion worse
Desperate to save homes from encroaching waves, shoreline property owners are hardening shorelines on the Great Lakes at a feverish pace. Experts fear these barriers will do harm in the long term.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan coastal towns try sand 'renourishment’ to restore beaches
Great Lakes towns affected by rapid erosion amid record-high water levels are petitioning the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to bolster their beaches with sand transported from offsite.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
On Mackinac Island, Lake Huron’s waves are destroying an iconic highway
State officials are scrambling to save the carless road that encircles the island, beloved as one of Michigan most scenic bike rides. High waters and relentless winter storms are chewing up state coastal roads.