When flash flooding broke two Midland area dams Tuesday, the hearts of Michigan Environmental Council’s staff were with the thousands of area residents who would have to leave their homes behind as high waters rushed into their communities.

The flood was the second of its size in 35 years, a result of the devastating effects of climate change and inadequate investment in resilient infrastructure. In Edenville Dam’s case, abnormally heavy rain ravaged a dam in need of repair.

A recent draft plan to make Lake Erie healthier and bluer could continue to leave it algae green. Michigan residents can join MEC and other advocates to help improve it. 

In April, after weeks of research and collaboration, Michigan Environmental Council sent in a sign-on letter with allies to the state of Michigan. They asked for revisions to its adaptive management plan for Lake Erie's high nutrient levels during a public comment period, which is open to all Michiganders until June 19.

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DTE Energy’s attempt to significantly raise electricity rates on its residential customers and run dirty, expensive power plants was blunted Friday.

April was the first month in history more renewable energy was used in the United States than coal. The Michigan Public Service Commission issued an order which continues that trend by rejecting unjustified fossil fuel spending and reducing the 9 percent rate increase DTE asked to impose on its residential customers.  The Commission’s decision will affect customer bills starting June 2020. 

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Citizens Utility Board of Michigan and Michigan Environmental Council urged municipal utilities Friday to better protect their customers’ physical and financial health and well-being.

This Michigan Environmental Council analysis outlines all Michigan utilities' commitments to shut-off moratoriums, reconnecting services and financial protections during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Michigan Environmental Council’s board of directors is composed of 17 members who are committed to Michigan’s environment and whose experiences and perspectives make them champions of it. At-large member Tony Ambroza, chief brand officer of Carhartt, is supporting his company's new effort to protect human health by producing gowns and masks for COVID-19 first responders.

Waking up warm and comfortable. Pouring milk for cereal. Logging your child into online schoolwork. Making stir fry over the stove. Listening to the news on the radio.

This is a snapshot of what many Michiganders likely experience each day as they stay at home protecting themselves and their community from COVID-19. It is not the case, however, for thousands of Michiganders and potentially thousands more.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order Saturday requiring water reconnections to homes that have been disconnected due to nonpayment or damaged infrastructure and allocating $2 million in state grants to local utilities to cover associated costs. Conan Smith, president and CEO of Michigan Environmental Council, issued the following statement on the order.

On Thursday, February 27 the Environmental Rules Review Committee (ERRC) will meet at 1 PM to vote on the draft rules that set limits for PFAS in drinking water. Under Michigan law the ERRC can vote to approve the draft rules, approve the draft rules with modification, or reject the draft rules. The ERRC vote comes after a month-long public comment period during which thousands of Michigan residents weighed in to support the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s effort to adopt PFAS drinking water standards. Environmental and community groups issued the following statements urging the ERRC to approve the draft rules as is.

Today Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s second executive budget was released. It included $10 million for a new Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund to protect Michigan families from lead in their homes. Michigan Environmental Council released the following statement in support of this funding recommendation:

“We applaud Governor Whitmer’s creative proposal to invest $10 million to unlock private capital and get low interest loans in the hands of residents who simply can't afford the high cost of making their home lead safe,” said Tina Reynolds, Michigan Environmental Council Program Director for Environmental Health.