Environment & Great Lakes
108 storiesThe page brings together environmental updates, data stories, policy explainers and service and safety guidance, using air quality and shoreline issues to anchor the reporting. Environment & Great Lakes clarifies who is responsible and what action comes next.
Michigan water utilities face new cybersecurity risks after recent attacks
Michigan's water utilities are under the microscope after a cyberattack hit operational technology nationwide. State agencies are now offering free cybersecurity risk checks to help utilities shore up defenses and protect residents.
Electric research boat begins work at Traverse City Great Lakes Center
A new electric research boat is now running from Discovery Pier in Traverse City. The Freshwater Research and Innovation Center is using it for hands-on research and workforce training on the Great Lakes.
Michigan Faces Twenty Year Water and Sewer Upgrade Funding Gap
A new report says Michigan needs to spend $85 billion on water and sewer systems over the next two decades. Recent main breaks and aging pipes show the urgent need for a statewide funding plan.
Michigan State professor helps shape new climate assessment priorities
Steven Gray from Michigan State University has joined 175 researchers to set new priorities for U.S. climate assessments, aiming to guide future decisions on adaptation, resilience, and risk management nationwide.
Five Michigan schools slash cafeteria waste with reusable trays and utensils
Five Michigan schools have cut out more than 440,000 single-use plastic items by switching to stainless-steel trays and utensils. The move saves thousands of dollars each year and keeps tons of waste out of landfills.
Michigan lawmakers weigh year-round E15 fuel sales
A bill in the Michigan House could open the door to E15 gasoline at pumps all year by dropping summer vapor pressure limits. If lawmakers approve it, drivers across the state may see new fuel options.
Latino population growth reshapes Michigan towns and cities
Michigan's Latino population is nearing 600,000, bringing new challenges and opportunities in education, housing, health, and jobs across the state.
University of Michigan opens new College of Pharmacy building
The University of Michigan has opened a six-story, 142,000-square-foot College of Pharmacy building. The new facility uses mass timber construction and flexible labs to support research, teaching, and sustainability.
Detroit News backs Bill Huizenga for Michigan's 4th District
The Detroit News has thrown its support behind Bill Huizenga for re-election in Michigan's 4th Congressional District, pointing to his work on environmental issues and his record in Congress.
General Motors to bring smart transformer tech to Romulus plant
GM will install IONATE's Hybrid Intelligent Transformer at its Romulus facility. The goal: better power quality and stronger energy resilience as the plant's electricity needs grow.
Hart Solar Project now powers over 21,000 Michigan homes with clean energy
The Hart Solar Project in Oceana County is now generating enough renewable electricity for more than 21,000 Michigan homes. Local schools and services are seeing new funding and cost savings from the project.
Pointe Mouillee Road Closure Limits Boat Launch Access as Fall Waterfowl Events Begin
Michigan's managed waterfowl areas will hold their annual fall open houses this September and October, but a key road closure at Pointe Mouillee will restrict boat launch access for hunters through the 2026 season.
Michigan Resistance Camp Draws Statewide Support Against Copperwood Mine
A grassroots camp led by Indigenous organizers near Lake Superior is attracting more Michigan residents who want to protect wetlands and treaty lands from a proposed copper mine in the Upper Peninsula.
Express Waste Dumpsters expands rental services to Farmington Hills
Express Waste Dumpsters now offers Farmington Hills residents and businesses more options for dumpster rentals, with several container sizes and same-day delivery available.
Oakland University Installs Michigan's First Beaver Deceiver for Flood Control
Oakland University has deployed Michigan's first Beaver Deceiver to control flooding along a campus trail without removing beavers or their dam. The project uses a specialized tube system to balance water levels and protect both wildlife and infrastructure.
Michigan sand dunes face erosion risks as shoreline policies divide experts
Erosion along Michigan's Lake Michigan shoreline is accelerating, with climate change and development putting pressure on the state's dunes. Agencies, environmental groups, and property owners are at odds over how to protect homes and ecosystems.
Farmington Hills crews clear debris after Labor Day storm knocks out power
Farmington Hills saw less damage than much of Oakland County after the September 3 storm, but city crews have spent days clearing downed trees and branches from roads while residents continue cleanup and wait for power to be restored.
Michigan Moves to Take Over Carbon Capture Project Permitting
Michigan lawmakers are pushing to shift oversight of underground carbon storage wells from the federal government to the state, hoping to speed up approvals, attract private investment, and support jobs in manufacturing and energy.
Northern Michigan Counties Receive State Disaster Relief After Winter Storms
Seven Northern Michigan counties will get over $700,000 in state disaster relief to help repair roads and public buildings after severe winter storms caused power outages and flooding.
Jackson Races to Replace All Lead Water Pipes by 2036
Jackson, Michigan is working to replace thousands of lead water service lines, aiming to remove every lead pipe in the city within the next decade. The city is focusing first on neighborhoods with the most lead lines.
Farmington Hills Inventor Creates Trap for Dumpster Rodent Problems
A new rodent trap designed in Farmington Hills aims to help businesses and residents deal with pests around dumpsters and trash cans, without direct contact or messy cleanup.
Michigan Engineers Push Forward on New Nuclear Reactor Projects as Power Demand Rises
Michigan researchers and industry partners are developing smaller nuclear reactors and new ways to involve communities as the state looks for reliable, low-carbon energy to meet growing electricity needs.
House Passes Water Infrastructure Bill, Bringing $115 Million to West Michigan
The U.S. House has approved the Water Resources Development Act 2026, which includes $115 million for water infrastructure projects in Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties, along with new support for Muskegon Heights and the Muskegon River.
Flint triples recycling with new carts and sets city record
Flint's recycling rate has reached an all-time high after the city gave out more than 68,000 free waste and recycling carts to residents in 2024, changing how people recycle and making it easier for everyone to take part.
Federal Court Orders Closure of Michigan Coal Plant After Illegal Extensions
A federal appeals court has ordered the J.H. Campbell coal plant in Michigan to shut down, ruling that repeated emergency orders to keep it open were unlawful. The decision ends years of delays that left local families paying extra costs and exposed to ongoing pollution.
Zeeland solar farm proposal sparks debate over farmland and local control
A $300 million solar project planned for Zeeland and Jamestown townships could power 34,000 homes but faces pushback from residents and a township lawsuit as Michigan shifts approval authority to the state.
Michigan awards $2.3 million to boost local food production
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is distributing $2.3 million in grants to help farms and food businesses across the state increase production and create new jobs in local communities.
Detroit, Chicago, and Columbus Chosen for New Study on Urban Energy Equity
A $1 million grant will support a three-year research project led by the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, examining how clean energy investments in Detroit, Chicago, and Columbus affect local neighborhoods.
Michigan Awards $1.5 Million for Clean Transportation Pilots
Ten Michigan projects will split $1.5 million to test hydrogen fuel, EV charging, and mobility tech in real-world conditions as part of the state's push to modernize transportation and infrastructure.
North Carolina and Michigan fund new EV charging and hydrogen projects
North Carolina and Michigan have announced millions in new grants for electric vehicle charging and clean mobility projects, including hydrogen fuel cell trucks and fast charging sites. Construction and deployment are set to ramp up over the next three years.
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