The new Democratic governor is revamping DEQ to more closely focus on clean water, climate change and protecting poor communities from environmental harm. Republicans vow to hold hearings.
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
In Flint, trust is lost. And bottled water supplies are running low.
A year after Michigan declared Flint’s drinking water “restored” and began encouraging residents to return to their faucets, the city’s demand for bottled water remains sky-high, leading to hours-long waits for dwindling supplies.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Flint residents welcome Nestlé donations. But its ads? Not so much.
The water conglomerate is donating millions of bottles of water to Flint. But it’s taking millions of gallons of water from central Michigan and touting its efforts on television. That’s led to mixed feelings.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Bridge Magazine wins Michigan Environmental Journalism Award
The Michigan Sierra Club recognized Bridge for expanding its coverage of the environment in its Michigan Environment Watch edition.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
After Flint, Michigan toughened lead rules. Now water utilities are suing.
Detroit-area water providers are challenging Michigan’s rules for lead in drinking water, which are the nation’s toughest. The challenge has high stakes for public health and ratepayers’ wallets.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Dana Nessel moves to drop Michigan from suits fighting EPA clean air rules
Three weeks into office, the Democrat attorney general begins to roll back litigation initiated by her Republican predecessor, Bill Schuette.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Federal government shutdown idles program that could help in Line 5 spill
A computer programming system used to protect changes in Great Lakes would predict the direction of oil in the event of a pipeline mishap. But it’s been idled by the shutdown.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Drop in hunting, fishing licenses could harm Michigan economy, reports show
Michigan lawmakers need to do a better job to promote hunting and fishing, which remains a $11 billion industry but is suffering as baby boomers get older.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Gretchen Whitmer vows action on climate. Here’s how warming hurts Michigan.
Rising temperatures are impacting Michigan’s roads, sewers, forests and farms, a landmark federal report warns. Gretchen Whitmer promises to create an office dedicated to solutions.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
New Midwest governors spur hope for regional fight against climate change
Several states elected governors who vow action against warming temperatures, prompting some to wonder whether the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord could see a revival.