The husband of former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land wants the state to dredge the river near Grand Rapids to allow power boats to reach Lake Michigan. Environmentalists are crying foul.
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
Booster downplays dredging conflicts: ‘People are allowed to make money’
A powerhouse Republican donor is championing a dredging project that could increase the value of his own land. A former Senate majority leader who steered grants for the project says that’s no big deal.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
New Michigan Environmental Council chief has deep roots in civil rights
Conan Smith, whose grandfather authored the civil rights clause to the Michigan Constitution, wants to break down racial and cultural barriers within the environmental movement.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan shrinks credits for rooftop solar, clouding industry’s future
In a battle over fairness and who controls Michigan’s renewable energy future, utilities successfully pushed state lawmakers and regulators to lower compensation for rooftop solar owners who add electricity grid.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Consumers Energy chief sees solar future in Michigan
Amid shifting economics and concerns about climate change, Michigan’s biggest energy utility vows to slash carbon dioxide emissions 90 percent by 2040 — without building any new natural gas plants.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As the earth warms, Midwest searches to cut greenhouse gas
From farmers cutting manure to changes in the transportation industry, folks are looking for changes large and small as the climate changes.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan environment roundup: Great Lakes water levels could break records
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Watch a video of anchor damage to Line 5 in Straits of Mackinac
As Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer nears decision on a tunnel to protect the pipeline, a video is released of mishap that environmentalists claim shows “Great Lakes dodged a bullet.”
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Nestlé to allow feds to monitor water withdrawals in central Michigan
Nestlé said the U.S. Geological Survey will independently monitor conditions near an Osceola County well where Michigan regulators allow pumping of up to 400 gallons a minute for an Ice Mountain bottling plant.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Electric car fees in Michigan would soar under Whitmer’s roads plan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposal to boost gas taxes by 45 cents would also make Michigan’s electric vehicle fees the highest in the nation. Critics say that comes atop other state policies that have discouraged sales of cleaner cars.