Michigan won’t reach the phosphorus reduction goal by 2025 as planned. It’s uncertain when it might attain that goal to help reduce cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Erie.
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
Why it’s so hard this year to find a Michigan Christmas tree
Michigan ranks third in the nation for the most Christmas trees harvested each year. Despite that, finding the right tree may be more challenging. Many farms are experiencing a tree shortage due to increased demand and last summer’s drought.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
White Christmas could be a dream in much of Michigan
Southern Michigan is due for a green holiday, as the chance of snow in the next 12 days is super low. Blame El Niño.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan farm czar: Our fight against Lake Erie pollution isn't working
Ahead of a gathering to assess the health of Lake Erie, the state acknowledges it won’t meet a 2025 deadline to cut phosphorus runoff into Lake Erie by 40 percent. The goal is to protect Lake Erie and Michigan’s small farms.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As pollution costs grow, Lansing shows scant interest in speeding cleanups
Michigan struggles to keep up as costs mount to clean up sites. But Lansing lawmakers aren’t considering options to raise more money for long-term contamination sites, making them likely to cost millions annually for generations.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Palisades owners plan two more Michigan nuclear reactors
Holtec International hopes to bring the small modular reactors online by 2030, but will first need to secure permits and overcome financial challenges that have stymied efforts to commercialize the nascent technology.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan regulators approve key permit for Enbridge Line 5 tunnel
The ruling puts Enbridge Energy a step closer to tunnel construction despite opposition from environmental and Native American groups and Democratic officials. Critics say they fear catastrophe if the pipelines remain in the Straits of Mackinac.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
The Flint effect: Feds propose eliminating U.S. lead pipes within 10 years
The proposed EPA rule follows years of growing awareness of lead’s perils following the 2014 Flint water crisis. Michigan regulators support the rule, but say the state will need more money to meet the more aggressive timeline.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Feral goldfish are menacing Great Lakes: We’re going to need a bigger bowl
Tracking escaped goldfish in Hamilton Harbour could help control the invasive species.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Feds give $31.7 million to convert ex-coal plant in Detroit to clean energy
The facility is planned for the former Detroit Edison site in Southwest Detroit’s Delray neighborhood, and promises 277 jobs.