So far, the wildfire smoke hovering over Michigan has not impacted regional air quality. But climate experts say it should serve as a sobering reminder that the Great Lakes State is not immune to worsening natural disasters caused by climate change.
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
Michigan may get through COVID-induced bottle backlog sooner than expected
Michigan’s soft drink and recycling industries say they are ahead of projections for absorbing all those bottles and cans back into the system. Long lines, closures and bottle limits at groceries may ease this fall.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Judge: Enbridge can resume full operations on Michigan Line 5 pipeline
Ingham County Circuit Court Judge James Jamo on Wednesday said Enbridge can resume normal operations on Line 5, which had been partially shut down for months after damage was discovered to an anchor support on the lakebottom petroleum pipeline.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Enbridge just wants a permit. Michigan critics want to bring down Line 5
As the Public Service Commission considers whether to allow Enbridge to move pipelines into a tunnel, opponents hope to elevate the case into a broader discussion over whether Line 5 is good for Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Safety woes linger at Edenville Dam after huge flood, Michigan report finds
A report into a massive dam failure in mid-Michigan didn’t assess blame, but recommends breaching part of the Edenville Dam to minimize damage and other safety concerns.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Amid racial reckoning, activists press Whitmer for environmental justice
A deepening debate in the nation on systemic racial inequities has inspired Michigan activities to seize this societal moment to achieve reforms for communities of color that too often bare the burden of pollution in their communities.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Pandemic brings record crowds to Michigan parks. (And trash and trouble)
Parks, harbors, campgrounds and beaches are seeing big upticks in visitors this summer, as COVID-19 restricts summer travel options and vacationers embrace outdoor recreation for its built-in social distancing.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As Michigan makes PFAS strides, Oscoda residents say Air Force is stalling
Residents of Michigan’s first known PFAS site say 10 years after the toxic “forever chemicals” were discovered at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, the Air Force is deliberately delaying cleanup and balking at the state’s new PFAS standards.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s new PFAS rules: 5 things to know
With new standards in place, state regulators will now set about identifying new violators and initiating treatment or cleanups. Here’s what you need to know.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan businesses want cut of millions from uncollected pop returnables
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.