Michigan Environmental Report
News from Michigan Environmental Council on public policies affecting the health of Michigan's people and environment
WMEAC report sizes up climate resiliency in Grand Rapids
A photo from West Michigan went semi-viral last April because the scene it depicted was so novel: Why was a fish swimming past the window of a Grand Rapids office building?
Tuesday linkaround: Solar soars while fossil fuels wither without water
Tuesday linkaround!
If it's links--(not lynx)--you're after, a good place to start is this piece from Grist, which will connect you to a host of stories about how the solar energy industry is making serious headway.
That's good news because--as the deepening drought emergency in California attests--the continued availability of the massive amounts of water required for conventional electricity is no sure thing. The Golden State is far from alone in experiencing water scarcity, and a column in Forbes makes a strong case that the water intensity of fuels must be a consideration when planning our energy future:
Here's how we would spend $1 billion
You've likely heard that Michigan's year-end financial housekeeping led to the happy conclusion that the state has a projected surplus of $971 million for the next budget year.
A measured victory for the Au Sable
A pristine stretch of Michigan's Au Sable River will keep its scenic character and is safer from pollution caused by oil and gas drilling, thanks to a decision last week from the Department of Natural Resources.
Michigan DNR poised to allow fracking along Au Sable's 'Holy Waters'
The Michigan Environmental Council and our allies are deeply concerned about pending mineral leases that would allow oil and gas drilling along a section of the Au Sable River so pristine and revered by trout anglers that it's known as the Holy Waters.
100 Michigan tourist attractions: How many have you visited?
Trivia time! This quiz, gauging how many Michigan tourist attractions you've visited, is making the rounds on the intertubes this week. Our communications director scored a 69, then suffered the slings and arrows of lesser Michiganders who complained bitterly of the unfairness of it all.