MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Great Lakes’ Environment and Conservation News & Articles

Federal officials say the dreaded Asian carp may have breached an electronic barrier designed to prevent it from invading the Great Lakes and threatening a $7 billion sport fishery. Officials with the Army Corps of Engineer say Friday that DNA of the giant carp have been found north of the barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. If... Full story »

"No good deed goes unpunished." - Everyone Who Has Ever Done a Good Deed There are probably fewer jobs more thankless than being a property manager.  Anything that goes wrong is your fault and you probably can't fix things fast enough to please anyone.  Adding insult to injury now is a judicial opinion in the case Scarlett & Associates,... Full story »

Solar and wind power have a problem. The wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine. Shawn Allee looks at a project aimed at solving that problem. And... not all companies are against the climate change bill in Congress. In fact, some think it's a good thing. Julie Grant chats with some businesses who see opportunity in... Full story »

Egyptians believe the problems associated with climate change have been created by the most developed countries in the world, including the U.S. Further, they contend that the countries that “made the mess” should bear the cost of cleaning it up. More specifically, they want President Obama send a very clear message in Copenhagen that the West is willing to pick up most of the tab for alternative energy development and conservation programs. Full story »

LANSING — Michigan State University will receive $83,806 to measure wind speeds in five areas around the state. The state says in a release Thursday that the project is designed to assess Michigan's wind energy potential and encourage job growth in that industry. Michigan State will install anemometers on public safety communications towers in Gratiot, Delta, Antrim, Mason and Hillsdale... Full story »

Clearing up cap-and-trade. Lester takes a look at what cap-and-trade has done in the past and how policy- makers plan to use it in the future. And... an interview with the group 'Physicians for Social Responsibility.' They just published a report on coal titled 'Coal's Assault On Human Health.' Lester talks with one of the authors of the report. Full story »

Lead paint in old homes. Shawn Allee looks at new regulations for renovating old houses. And... measuring the air pollution on the playground. The US EPA is wrapping up a study of the air around schools... especially those close to heavy industry. Gigi Douban visited one of these, and chatted to the parents in the carpool lane.  Full story »

On November 17, 2009, I attended an event hosted by NextEnergy event called "International Matchmaking & Local Opportunities - Local Technologies & Global Opportunities" at its Detroit facility.  Approximately 100 attendees representing suppliers, manufacturers, utilities, consultants and attorneys listened to a variety of speakers identifying how Michigan companies can take advantage of international corporate opportunities in the area of renewable energy. ... Full story »

An update on smart grids. Lester takes a look at how the stimulus is giving the grid a boost, and how appliance makers are getting ready. And... Entrepreneurs for Sustainability, or E4S. Julie Grant stops by a party hosted by this group. It was started to help businesses get a little greener. And it has grown from a few... Full story »

Lead paint in old homes. Shawn Allee looks at new regulations for renovating old houses. And... measuring the air pollution on the playground. The US EPA is wrapping up a study of the air around schools... especially those close to heavy industry. Gigi Douban visited one of these, and chatted to the parents in the carpool lane. Full story »

Veterans can now receive benefits for disabilities related to Agent Orange exposure. Mark Brush talks to a Vietnam vet about the decision. And... the conclusion of our week-long series on dioxin contamination and Dow Chemical. Shawn Allee talks to the author of a controversial study on contaminated soil and dioxin exposure. Some think the Dow-funded research didn't go far... Full story »

The state Legislature has given Michigan Technological University a go-ahead for its planned $25.3 million Great Lakes Research Center. Full story »

"If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss Bank." - Woody Allen   Obviously, like Woody, most of us would like an anonymous benefactor to deposit a large sum of money into our bank accounts.  But, aside from that unlikely event, banks provide a great deal of... Full story »

Lobbying the climate bill. Lester talks with the Center for Public Integrity. Their group found a dramatic jump in the number of climate bill lobbyists. And... Dow... dioxin... and delays. The fourth part of a week-long series from The Environment Report on dioxin contamination and Dow Chemical. Shawn Allee talks with local hunters about contaminated game. Not all of... Full story »

NASHVILLE -- A group of music figures has begun a campaign against mountaintop coal removal. The campaign, Music Saves Mountains, is sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Gibson Foundation. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a senior attorney with the council, addressed those attending a meeting Monday night. Those at the gathering included Emmylou Harris, Randy Travis, Big... Full story »