Plan approved by the Michigan Senate would curtail the state’s hazardous waste industry by raising disposal fees, banning the disposal of some radioactive waste and pausing approvals for new facilities. It now heads to the House.
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
As mussels ravage Great Lakes whitefish, Lake Superior survives — for now
Chemistry, cold water and isolation make it hard for invasive mussels to get a foothold in the Big Lake. But a spate of recent outbreaks from Isle Royale to Canada’s Nipigon Bay have scientists unnerved.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s whitefish crisis: Your questions answered
If whitefish are in such dire straits, why is it still legal to fish them? And why can’t humans just eat all the mussels that are causing the whitefish collapse? Bridge Michigan has answers.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s Barn Sanctuary champions compassion and conservation
The Barn Sanctuary in Chelsea rescues farm animals and practices eco-friendly agricutlure.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Crumbling UP dam reveals potential risks of private hydroelectric ownership
An Upper Peninsula community is worried an aging dam that holds back a lake and feeds a river might not get the necessary repairs to make it safe. Since a 2020 dam failure in mid-Michigan, little has been done to increase oversight of dams in the state.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Trump administration extends order to keep Michigan coal plant open
Citing an “energy emergency,” the administration has ordered Consumers Energy to keep the JH Campbell coal plant open for another 90 days, delaying a planned retirement that was supposed to save Michigan ratepayers $600 million.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Report: States like Michigan ‘simply not prepared’ for data center water demand
The report from the regional Alliance for the Great Lakes warned states risk overtaxing water supplies if they rush to woo the computing facilities without closely studying whether aquifers and water utilities can handle the new use.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch, Michigan Government
Trump admin cancels $156M Michigan solar program as coal plant decision looms
Michigan has already committed nearly $14 million of the federal funds to support projects from Escanaba to Detroit. State officials left the door open to a potential lawsuit.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
‘Dog day’ cicadas — and their loud buzz — are back in Michigan
Annual cicadas returning to Michigan are known for their loud buzzing but are considered harmless to people, pets, and plants.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Smoky summers are Michigan’s new norm, experts say
Climate change is causing longer and more severe wildfire seasons in the western US and Canada, which means Michigan will continue to be vulnerable whenever summer winds blow in an unfortunate direction.