Gov. Rick Snyder has asked Attorney General Bill Schuette to sue 3M, accusing the chemical giant of continuing to sell toxic products despite knowing dangers.
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
Environmentalists outraged Michigan warning about PFAS went unheeded
A state bureaucrat first raised concerns about the toxic chemicals in 2012. They’re now a full-blown crisis. Did the state move too slow?
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan enlists ‘Shop-Vac on steroids’ to fight toxic PFAS foam
Michigan environmental regulators have hatched a novel plan to get vacuum of toxic foam bubbling up in Oscoda and other PFAS-tainted communities. Will it work? Nobody’s sure.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Map | Find PFAS threats to drinking water in Michigan
A chemical used in Air Force bases, clothing and household items is threatening waterways in Michigan. Use this map to find out where.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
How the EPA and the Pentagon downplayed a growing toxic PFAS threat
A family of chemicals — known as PFAS and responsible for marvels like Teflon and critical to the safety of American military bases — has now emerged as a far greater menace than previously disclosed.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Emails cast doubt about Michigan’s ties to Enbridge in Line 5 debate
As a deadline looms for Gov. Snyder to decide the future of a pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, he has touted efforts to weigh the issue transparently and independently. But his administration has given Enbridge Energy plenty of avenues to influence the debate.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
‘History of failure’ highlights Line 5 risks outside Straits of Mackinac
Last year, the controversial pipeline sprung two small leaks, illustrating lingering questions about a pipeline that crosses nearly 400 bodies of water in Michigan and the state’s power to oversee it. But Enbridge Energy says it’s significantly improved safety.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
He told Flint to ‘relax.’ Now, Michigan is paying him to lead media training.
A former Michigan spokesman who resigned because of “callous” statements about Flint was paid by a state contract to train government employees on how to communicate with media, records show.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan environment roundup: Climate change to blame for U.P. flooding?
This week’s can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Listen: Bridge discusses Great Lakes drowning ‘epidemic’
Dozens drown every year in the Great Lakes, and most Michigan beaches lack lifeguards. Hear an interview of Bridge Magazine discussing the problem.