Sen. Tom Casperson, the powerful Michigan Republican behind a slew of bills to deregulate the environment, calls himself a champion of private property rights and disagrees with his portrayal in news media.
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
Michigan Senate approves plan to preserve Line 5 before foes take office
Gov. Rick Snyder cleared a hurdle in his race to lock-in a plan to swap out twin pipelines beneath the Straits of Mackinac and protect them in a bedrock tunnel.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan lawmakers: ‘Every little thing’ doesn’t need environmental protection
With little debate, legislation is sailing through the Legislature to deregulate wetlands, loosen rules for cleaning toxic sites and secure Line 5. The changes are ‘unprecedented,” a critic says.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As he exits, Michigan lawmaker wants to gut wetland protection, boost waste
Term-limited Republican Sen. Tom Casperson’s lame-duck bills would cut wetland protections in half in most counties, raise allowable levels of radioactive landfill waste 10-fold and limit local zoning of mining activity.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Mackinac Bridge Authority shouldn't oversee Line 5 tunnel, Michigan Republicans say
Facing pushback and scrambling to complete his tunnel plan before leaving office, Michigan’s governor scraps plan to have bridge authority oversee project.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Flint finds replacing lead pipes isn’t easy. Even when state promises to pay
Momentum has stalled, costs are rising dramatically, and state officials are threatening to halt funding for efforts to replace all of Flint’s water lead pipes.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan environment roundup: Climate change spells trouble for Midwest farmers
The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan waited years to heed warnings on PFAS dangers, expert says
A DEQ veteran sounded alarms about threats to waters in 2010. Seven years later, Michigan took action. ‘I was at the edge of the abyss looking into hell,” scientist testifies.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Mackinac Bridge Authority in no hurry to consider Line 5 tunnel deal
On his way out of office, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder presents Line 5 tunnel deal to bridge authority members, drawing deep scrutiny.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Gretchen Whitmer and Dana Nessel vowed to shut Line 5. Now’s their chance
Halting Enbridge Energy’s oil pumping beneath the Straits of Mackinac was key promise in the Democratic campaigns of Michigan’s next governor and attorney general. Can they deliver?