Michigan Environmental Report
News from Michigan Environmental Council on public policies affecting the health of Michigan's people and environment
Cleaning Up White Lake
A story of Citizen Action
I don’t think most people would imagine the picturesque White Lake area, situated in the northern portion of Muskegon County, as a polluted toxic hot spot. But that’s what it was at one time. It isn’t anymore, and that’s truly a good story.
Guest post: Conservation champion Willard Wolfe enters Environmental Hall of Fame
Editor's note: This post was contributed by noted writer, environmental historian, policy advisor and former MEC staff member Dave Dempsey.
Green infrastructure is gaining ground in Michigan
Stormwater runoff is a major source of pollution in our waterways. The sediment, nutrients and chemicals that are introduced to our lakes and streams from stormwater are hurting fish populations and affecting human health and safety.
Success! New budget continues funding to prevent lead poisoning
The $54.5 billion state budget approved yesterday by the Legislature includes $1.75 million for programs to prevent lead poisoning, marking three straight years of budget success by MEC and our partners in the Michigan Alliance for Lead Safe Homes (MIALSH).
MEC joins clean air crusaders at Mama Summit
MEC rallied at the Capitol this week with dozens of concerned parents to educate legislators about the negative health impacts coal plants have on children.
Lawmakers should support reasonable protections for threatened bats
A plan to protect threatened bats from a deadly disease has drawn surprising criticism from a pair of lawmakers who say setting aside just one quarter of one percent of Michigan's forested land area will have a "chilling effect" on the state's logging and mining industries.
MEC's House Energy testimony: 5 takeaways
Spring temperatures aren't all that's heating up in Lansing. With Michigan's 2008 clean energy laws set to plateau at the end of the year, policymakers are debating a handful of competing proposals for what our state's energy future should look like. (We say "plateau" and not "expire" because, if lawmakers took no action, utilities would have an ongoing requirement to meet the existing standards.)