With utilities’ transition to green energy moving too slowly for them, Ann Arbor officials decided to launch a power company of their own.
Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Great Lakes News Collaborative
Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television, The Narwhal and Michigan Public work together to report on the most pressing threats to the Great Lakes region’s water. This independent journalism is supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. You can find all of the collaborative’s stories here.
Shockwave
The Great Lakes region is in the midst of a seismic energy shakeup, from skyrocketing data center demand and a nuclear energy boom, to expanding renewables and electrification. In 2026, the Great Lakes News Collaborative will explore how shifting supply and demand affect the region and its waters. Read the series here.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Consumers Energy’s sale plan would turn unprofitable dams into $270M payday
The utility’s plan to sell 13 unprofitable dams and buy back the power would boost its profits by $270 million while ratepayer costs skyrocket. Critics of the sale are crying foul, but Consumers maintains its sale plan is the cheapest option for ratepayers.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Trump administration plans closure of 4 Michigan forestry research centers
The closures are part of a broader consolidation and reorganization that will move the US Forest Service headquarters from the nation’s capital to Salt Lake City.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
EPA move on microplastics, pharmaceuticals draws mixed response in Michigan
Trump administration officials said Thursday they’ll add the two pollutants to a federal priority list — but stopped short of enacting monitoring requirements that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has requested.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan neighbors rally for rooftop solar as federal support shrinks
Grassroots “Solarize” programs are helping Michigan neighbors buy rooftop solar together, even as federal support shrinks.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Opponents worry over tunnel construction as Line 5 report released
A geologic report released recently as part of the permitting process has Line 5 opponents worried about safety and the environment if Enbridge goes forward with its pipeline tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac. Enbridge said the data’s been out there for years and construction can happen safely.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Consumers seeks to delay millions in flood control upgrades as it pursues dam sales
The utility wants federal regulators to sign off on delays to spillway upgrades at Michigan’s largest dam. Opponents fear that’s a risky gamble.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s heavy industry receives hundreds of millions of dollars to control pollution. When they don’t, they keep the savings.
Critics say the Air Pollution Control Exemption is outdated, poorly enforced, and subsidizes companies for doing what they’re already legally required to do — even when they violate pollution laws.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
A law meant to clean Michigan’s air now costs the state billions with little oversight
A 1965 law exempts facilities that install air pollution control equipment from property taxes.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
The Great Lakes are wasting a massive source of clean energy
Uncover the staggering facts about wasting clean energy in North America’s energy system. Learn how heat is lost every day.