Declining hunting participation isn’t the only reason deer populations are skyrocketing. Blame suburban sprawl, a lack of hunting land in southern Michigan, a century-worth of predator suppression and the newer threat of climate change.
Michigan climate change
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan utilities explore longer-term funding to address extreme weather
DTE Energy and Consumers Energy say their systems are more reliable after severe outages this year. But with extreme weather increasing from climate change, they’re looking at additional funding options such as customer surcharges or bonds.
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 inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan EV drivers shouldn’t bear outsized cost to pay for roads
The transition to electric vehicles means we can’t continue to rely so heavily on gas taxes to pay for roads. But EV owners already pay more than their fair share. A mileage-based system, with some caveats, is a fairer path forward.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Whitmer signs energy bills to make Michigan use clean energy by 2040
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed clean energy bills in Detroit on Tuesday that aim to meet the goal of making the state 100 percent reliant on clean energy by midcentury.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As rain patterns evolve in Michigan, farmers adjust to droughts and deluges
An increase in precipitation can be detrimental for fields as it can cause heavy erosion and a lack of soil nutrients.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Michigan Dems’ report card: Mixed bag passing Whitmer agenda as year ends
The Democratic-led Legislature is adjourning after fulfilling much, but not all of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s fall agenda. Lawmakers passed energy and abortion reform but fell short on sick leave and drug affordability.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan Senate votes to override local decisions on wind, solar energy
In a party-line vote, the Senate passed bills that establish statewide permitting rules for large renewable energy developments, an end-run around local efforts to block wind and solar proposals in Michigan. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign the legislation.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Forcing wind, solar on rural Michigan is bad policy
The claim that clean energy and agriculture are natural allies overlooks a fundamental reality: the substantial land requirement for renewable energy projects.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan House passes climate change reform, mandating clean energy by 2040
A divided Michigan House passes legislation requiring utilities to draw 100 percent of their energy from clean sources by 2040. That’s a later timeline than environmentalists had sought — and foes say it will raise rates — but many say the reform is overdue.