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.
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
DTE chief: We’re cutting carbon because it’s ‘defining issue of our era’
The energy company is accelerating its goal of cutting emissions by 80 percent. CEO Gerry Anderson says the company is ramping up solar and wind energy.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Cutting energy costs can be expensive. Michigan’s green bank can help.
A nonprofit known as Michigan Saves helps with financing and other efforts to cut sometimes exorbitant costs of becoming energy efficient.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan mulls lifting barrier to solar energy on farmland
A task force is considering whether farmers enrolled in a preservation program should be allowed to add solar panels.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan environment roundup: Minnesota has Isle Royale envy
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Fixing typo, Michigan loosens U.P. brook trout limits — for now
Michigan anglers can bag up to 10 brook trout on 33 U.P. streams this season, ranging from a stretch of the Iron River to the north branch of the Pine River. But the relaxed limit could be temporary.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Nestlé extends Flint bottled water donations through August
Since Michigan halted its free bottled water program, Nestlé has provided 100,000 bottles water per week to help centers that continue to face high demands from residents who refuse to drink from their taps.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s UP is full of closed mines. Technology may give them new life
Upper Peninsula communities struggled when mines shuttered. Now, researchers are studying whether closed mines could be used to store energy, lowering cripplingly high energy costs.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Tired of bird poop at Great Lakes beaches? Send in the dogs, study says
A Central Michigan University study finds that dogs, particularly border collies, can greatly reduce bird poop at beaches that spread E. coli.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan environment roundup: DTE closing coal plants early
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.