This week’s can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
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 House approves bills letting industry vote on environmental rules
The Michigan House on Tuesday backed a plan to fashion private-sector panels — including one populated largely with industry representatives — that could override Department of Environmental Quality rules and permit decisions.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Rural Michigan helped elect Trump. Now, farmers are sweating a trade war.
Michigan farmers went whole-hog for Trump, but fear a Chinese tariffs could wallop bottom lines. Soybean growers have the most to lose.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Low milk prices are a big headache for Michigan’s family dairy farms
A milk surplus is shrinking margins and making life even harder for Michigan’s 1,600 dairy farms.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan environment roundup: Flint water crisis legal tab tops $23M
This week’s can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Enbridge fined $1.9 million for inspection woes on Line 5, other pipelines
Enbridge Energy will pay up to settle the federal government’s claims it violated a $177 million settlement for the Kalamazoo River oil spill. The company allegedly failed to properly inspect certain sections of its pipelines — including parts of Line 5.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
For small town battling Nestlé, Michigan’s permit doesn’t end water saga
Water lawyers are eying several avenues to challenge DEQ’s decision to allow a Nestlé water bottling facility to pump up to 400 gallons per minute from a well outside of Evart. It wouldn’t be the company’s first legal showdown in Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan isn’t alone. Most states charge little for water bottlers like Nestlé
Long-held laws allowing for ‘reasonable use’ to water under land have kept withdrawal fees cheap. But Ontario charges big bucks to bottlers.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan environment roundup: Despite billions, toxic algae chokes Lake Erie
This week’s can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan approves $1B DTE natural gas plant in blow to environmentalists
The approval of DTE natural gas plant in St. Clair comes as energy giants are moving away from coal and debate is intensifying about what comes next.