Michigan’s transition to green energy is plagued by fights over placing wind and solar arrays on farmland and forests. But fewer balked over plans to build a green energy plant on abandoned industrial land.
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
Great Lakes hold clues to climate change. Send in the robots, feds say
As climate change increasingly shapes the Great Lakes region’s ecology and economy, scientists plan to use underwater robots to gather previously inaccessible data they say will help communities adapt.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Once near extinction, lake trout are officially recovered in Lake Superior
A binational group of fisheries experts made the declaration Wednesday, after seven decades of effort to recover the fish from a collapse caused by invasive species and overfishing.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Local governments take aim at Michigan’s wind, solar law in new lawsuit
More than 70 townships and counties challenge how Michigan went about implementing a new law allowing the state to overrule local authorities on siting big energy projects.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
UP mine sees recycling as path to more EV minerals and a greener image
At the Eagle Mine in Marquette County, a $145 million federal grant-funded project promises to turn dangerous mining waste into valuable metals and chemicals. Proponents hope it signals a new era of cleaner, more efficient mining. But some are skeptical.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan House OKs tax breaks to lure Google, Microsoft data server farms
Data server farms are big business. But it takes a ton of energy to store data in the cloud, prompting concerns among environmentalists. Michigan is poised to give the servers tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s PFAS drinking-water limits hang in balance of Supreme Court case
Michigan was hailed as a national leader when it set PFAS drinking water limits in 2020. Now, chemical company 3M wants the limits voided.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan deer hunt: Why rifle season won’t dent populations & other questions
The season starts Friday. You asked, we answered: Why isn’t year-round hunting? Why are deer so numerous even with so many hunters? What about a commercial hunt?
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
What a Donald Trump presidency means for Michigan’s environment
The incoming president is expected to resume the environmental rollbacks that were a signature of his first term in office, while prioritizing oil and gas and dismantling Biden-era electric vehicle and climate policies.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Don't feel like raking? No worries. Michigan wants you to leave the leaves
Residents who want to avoid raking their leaves this fall may do so with peace of mind. Experts say leaving the leaves can be beneficial for insects and other critters that rely on them.