Years after a cost-cutting move resulted in lead-poisoned drinking water in Flint, residents said they are furious that the governor who placed their city under emergency control won’t face more serious charges.
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
Snyder, top aides charged in Flint water crisis. Is that justice?
Seven years after a fateful water switch, the former governor faces two misdemeanors, while others including former health director Nick Lyon were charged with several felonies.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Enbridge to Michigan: We won’t shut down Line 5
In a letter Tuesday to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a senior executive for the Canadian oil company said Enbridge won’t comply with Whitmer’s order to shut down the pipeline and alleged state officials relied on outdated and faulty information to justify the shutdown order.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan gravel industry to again try to limit local control on mining
But this year, groups opposed to gravel mining in their communities say they will fight back with legislation of their own. After years of litigation, is 2021 the year the two sides find common ground?
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Best of Bridge Michigan: Top environment stories from 2020
From the failure of two Midland-area dams to continued damage from climate change, Michigan’s environment was often in the news this year.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
With Line 5 closure, a ‘game of chicken’ over how to heat Upper Peninsula
Weaning the U.P. of its dependence on Enbridge Line 5 will likely require investments in rail or truck-based propane transport. But one month after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Enbridge to shutter Line 5 by May, a Plan B for propane has yet to emerge.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan utilities may soon limit payouts to homes with rooftop solar
Michigan utilities are reaching caps on private renewable energy which means that, without new laws, they may no longer have to reimburse some homeowners for solar energy returned to the grid.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Public Concern: Climate change, runoff and chemicals at the forefront of people’s worries about the Great Lakes
Climate change was propelled “from the 15th most-mentioned in 2017 to today’s top concern,” the report said.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Enbridge sues Michigan over Line 5 shutdown order
The energy company announced Tuesday it has filed a complaint in federal court seeking to block Gov. Gretchen Whitmer from moving forward with plans to shut down Line 5 by May.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan upholds Nestlé permit to withdraw 576K gallons of groundwater daily
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has dismissed a complaint challenging the 2018 permit that allows the company to increase its withdrawals form the Osceola County well, concluding Nestlé’s opponents should have taken their case to court.