Local Utilities & Service Outages

35 stories

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.

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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.

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AT&T will replace most Michigan copper landlines with fiber by 2029

AT&T plans to shut down most copper landlines in Michigan's Lower Peninsula by 2029. Customers will move to fiber and wireless networks, keeping access to 911 and regular phone features.

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Pinckney bus driver leads students to safety after storm traps school bus

A Pinckney Community Schools bus driver used emergency training to get six students out safely after their bus was blocked by fallen trees during a strong storm in Livingston County on September 3.

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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.

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Power Outage Shuts Down Michigan State University Dining Halls and Events

A widespread power outage at Michigan State University in East Lansing closed all campus dining locations and canceled a scheduled performance at the Wharton Center on Saturday afternoon.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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GM to Install Smart Transformer System at Romulus Plant

General Motors plans to bring IONATE's Hybrid Intelligent Transformer to its Romulus, Michigan plant, aiming to improve power quality and manage rising electricity demand at the facility.

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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.

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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.

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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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Consumers Energy Seeks Delay on Michigan Dam Sale Decision

Consumers Energy has asked state regulators to postpone a ruling on its plan to sell 13 Michigan dams, following opposition from the governor and an administrative law judge. The company now says it is open to negotiations with critics

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Michigan Faces Higher Heating Costs as Iran Conflict Drives Energy Uncertainty

Michigan households may see higher winter heating bills as the ongoing Iran conflict disrupts global energy markets. With 77 percent of homes using natural gas and rural areas dependent on propane, residents face new risks despite strong U.S. supplies

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Detroit tornado leaves trail of destruction in rare city event

A powerful EF2 tornado struck Detroit for the first time in nearly three decades, damaging homes, businesses and parks along a 3.5-mile path. Residents are urged to avoid downed power lines as cleanup continues.

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Power Outages and Flooding Hit Michigan After Heavy Rainfall

Severe storms brought more than two inches of rain to parts of southeast Michigan on September 3 and 4, leaving over 250,000 homes and businesses without power and causing widespread flooding and damage

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Power Outages and Tornado Damage Disrupt Metro Detroit Neighborhoods

More than 200000 DTE customers lost power after severe storms and a confirmed tornado struck Metro Detroit communities Thursday night leaving homes damaged and residents displaced as cleanup begins

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Nearly 280,000 Lose Power as Severe Storms Hit Southeast Michigan

Tornado warnings and damaging winds swept through southeast Michigan Thursday, toppling trees, halting school dismissals, and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity as utility crews raced to restore service

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Power Outages Top 90,000 After Severe Storms Hit Metro Detroit

Nearly 93,500 DTE Energy customers in Metro Detroit lost electricity after Wednesday night's storms brought damaging winds, flash flooding and widespread debris. Utility crews are working to restore service as residents face blocked roads and cleanup challenges.

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Colorado River Water Cuts Leave Western Towns and Farms Facing Uncertainty

A new federal plan to reduce Colorado River water use is forcing Arizona towns and farmers to reconsider their future, as reservoirs hit record lows and legal battles intensify over shrinking supplies

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Consumers Energy Plans Temporary Flow Cut at Hodenpyl Dam for Inspection

Consumers Energy intends to reduce or halt water flow from the Hodenpyl Dam to the Manistee River the week of September 21 to inspect storm damage, raising concerns among river advocates about environmental impacts and alternative options.

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Lawmakers Push New Funding After Cyberattacks on Water Utilities

After cyberattacks linked to Iran targeted water systems in at least seven states, federal and state lawmakers are proposing new funding and oversight to strengthen utility cybersecurity and protect critical infrastructure from future threats.

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South Dakota Local Governments Face Cybersecurity Funding Deadline

South Dakota's $7 million SecureSD program, which helps local governments defend against cyberattacks, will run out of state funding in 2028, leaving counties and cities to cover ongoing cybersecurity costs themselves

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TeraWulf Pledges to Meet Kentucky Data Center Rules at Hancock Site

TeraWulf plans to build a 482-megawatt data center at a former Hancock County aluminum smelter, promising to follow Kentucky's new requirements on taxes, transparency, and environmental compliance as state regulators review its energy contract.

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Alabama Data Centers May Outpace Statewide Home Power Use

A wave of proposed data centers in Alabama could consume more electricity than all residential homes combined. Alabama Power says rates won't rise, but residents and experts question whether new laws and oversight will truly protect customers.

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Michigan Voters to Decide on Utility Political Donation Ban in November

A statewide ballot proposal could bar major utilities and large state contractors from making political donations in Michigan, raising questions about free speech and campaign finance rules ahead of the November 3 election.

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Triadelphia Reservoir Water Contact Advisory Issued for Residents

WSSC Water has issued a month-long advisory urging people and pets to avoid direct contact with Triadelphia Reservoir water after harmful algal blooms were detected. Recreation remains open, but extra precautions are recommended for all visitors.

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Ypsilanti Township Considers Power Moratorium for U-M Data Center

Ypsilanti Township officials will vote on a six-month pause for new power transmission projects as they review the University of Michigan's $1.2 billion data center plan, which could reshape local infrastructure and impact residents near Textile Road.

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Flash Flood Risk in Hudson County as Heavy Rain Expected Sunday Night

The National Weather Service warns of possible flash flooding in Hudson County Sunday night, with the highest risk in central and southern New Jersey. Up to half an inch of rain and gusty winds are forecast, and fog may linger into Monday morning

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