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.
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
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.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
These Michigan nuns are fighting climate change, one light bulb at a time
Concluding that climate change is violence upon the Earth, the Adrian Dominican Sisters have poured efficiency savings into renewable energy.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Whitmer: State workers must report health threats, and bosses must listen
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed her first executive directive aiming to improve reporting of threats to public safety and speed agencies’ response. She also took steps to disrupt the newly approved Line 5 tunnel.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Gov. Snyder signs Michigan lame-duck bills opposed by environmentalists
Snyder approved one bill that limits the ability of his Democratic successor to enact tougher regulations. But he approved $69 million to help clean up toxic sites.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder gets bill to lift protections on small wetlands
The House made major changes to lessen the impact of a bill that would have previously lifted environmental protections on at least 550,000 acres of wetlands and 4,200 lakes.