Michigan Environment Watch Archives - Bridge Michigan https://bridgemi.com/category/michigan-environment-watch/ Michigan’s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:24:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1-32x32.png Michigan Environment Watch Archives - Bridge Michigan https://bridgemi.com/category/michigan-environment-watch/ 32 32 247008660 Michigan, Enbridge battle over Line 5 pipeline before US Supreme Court https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/michigan-enbridge-battle-over-line-5-pipeline-before-us-supreme-court/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:22:26 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=73087 An underwater pipelineMichigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s yearslong lawsuit to shut down the pipeline could come down to how the Supreme Court interprets a 30-day procedural deadline that Enbridge failed to meet.]]> An underwater pipeline

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s yearslong lawsuit to shut down the pipeline could come down to how the Supreme Court interprets a 30-day procedural deadline that Enbridge failed to meet.

]]>
73087
Michigan county’s argument against solar farms? They’re a health hazard https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/michigan-countys-argument-against-solar-farms-theyre-a-health-hazard/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 21:52:46 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72982 Solar panels in a solar parkSt. Clair County plans to appeal a judge’s decision striking down the county’s attempt to use health policies as a way to regulate large-scale renewable and battery storage projects.]]> Solar panels in a solar park

St. Clair County plans to appeal a judge’s decision striking down the county’s attempt to use health policies as a way to regulate large-scale renewable and battery storage projects.

]]>
72982
It’s not just Palisades: Great Lakes water fuels a regional nuclear revival https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/its-not-just-palisades-great-lakes-water-fuels-a-regional-nuclear-revival/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72788 Palisades Nuclear Plant at night.Restarting an aging reactor and building next-generation modular plants on the shores of the world’s largest freshwater system. ]]> Palisades Nuclear Plant at night.

Restarting an aging reactor and building next-generation modular plants on the shores of the world’s largest freshwater system.

]]>
72788
Trump cancels federal climate regulations. Here’s what it means for Michigan https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/trump-cancels-federal-climate-regulations-heres-what-it-means-for-michigan/ Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:17:47 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72688 Traffic backs up on the interstate, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Detroit. The busiest border crossing between Canada and the U.S. was closed to traffic for more than two hours on Monday after authorities found possible explosives during a vehicle inspection. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)Despite scientific consensus on the harms posed by climate change, the administration no longer views greenhouse gases as harmful to public health. That sets the stage to stop regulating them.]]> Traffic backs up on the interstate, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Detroit. The busiest border crossing between Canada and the U.S. was closed to traffic for more than two hours on Monday after authorities found possible explosives during a vehicle inspection. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Despite scientific consensus on the harms posed by climate change, the administration no longer views greenhouse gases as harmful to public health. That sets the stage to stop regulating them.

]]>
72688
The energy boom is coming for Great Lakes water. Is Michigan ready? https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/the-energy-boom-is-coming-for-great-lakes-water-is-michigan-ready/ Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72645 Steam from St. Joseph Energy Center in Michigan.How the region powers its growth will determine the future of the Great Lakes. ]]> Steam from St. Joseph Energy Center in Michigan.

How the region powers its growth will determine the future of the Great Lakes.

]]>
72645
Michigan agencies, outside groups question Consumers dam sale plan https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/michigan-agencies-outside-groups-question-consumers-dam-sale-plan/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:50:03 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72608 A dam on a riverIn testimony to state regulators who will decide whether to approve the sale, experts questioned Consumers Energy’s financial math and raised concerns that new owners could stick the public with repair or removal costs.]]> A dam on a river

In testimony to state regulators who will decide whether to approve the sale, experts questioned Consumers Energy’s financial math and raised concerns that new owners could stick the public with repair or removal costs.

]]>
72608
A Michigan dairy CAFO clash over manure digesters and clean water https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/a-michigan-dairy-cafo-clash-over-manure-digesters-and-clean-water/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:39:27 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72558 A snow piece of land.A proposed dairy CAFO in mid-Michigan is fueling a heated fight over clean water, manure pollution and the future of industrial farming — as supporters tout jobs and renewable energy, and critics warn local rivers are already overwhelmed.]]> A snow piece of land.

A proposed dairy CAFO in mid-Michigan is fueling a heated fight over clean water, manure pollution and the future of industrial farming — as supporters tout jobs and renewable energy, and critics warn local rivers are already overwhelmed.

]]>
72558
This plant invaded Michigan with ‘chemical warfare.’ Can beetles defeat it? https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/this-plant-invaded-michigan-with-chemical-warfare-can-beetles-defeat-it/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:03:42 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72555 A beetle on the stem of a flowerState regulators are considering allowing landowners to unleash imported beetles to kill off spotted knapweed, one of the state’s most prolific invaders. Beekeepers may not like that.]]> A beetle on the stem of a flower

State regulators are considering allowing landowners to unleash imported beetles to kill off spotted knapweed, one of the state’s most prolific invaders. Beekeepers may not like that.

]]>
72555
Ice grips Great Lakes, with Erie nearly fully covered https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/ice-grips-great-lakes-with-erie-nearly-fully-covered/ Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:53:34 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72480 About 95% percent of Lake Erie is covered in ice, and even half of Lake Superior is too. Bitter cold temperatures have spurred major ice coverage across the Great Lakes, but warmer weather is coming. ]]>

About 95% percent of Lake Erie is covered in ice, and even half of Lake Superior is too. Bitter cold temperatures have spurred major ice coverage across the Great Lakes, but warmer weather is coming.

]]>
72480
Feds take another step toward decision on Line 5 tunnel https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/feds-take-another-step-toward-decision-on-line-5-tunnel/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:35:45 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72409 An underwater pipelineThe US Army Corps released an environmental review Friday that is the last step toward issuing key permits for the Line 5 tunnel. ]]> An underwater pipeline

The US Army Corps released an environmental review Friday that is the last step toward issuing key permits for the Line 5 tunnel. 

]]>
72409