Protect Archives | Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Moment: Government downsizing, defunding and deregulating at what environmental cost?

John Hartig, Great Lakes Now — Mon, 05 May 2025 20:22:31 +0000

Great Lakes Moment is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor John Hartig. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit PBS.

There is always room to improve program effectiveness and efficiency in government, as well as business, nongovernmental organizations and other institutions.

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Cougar cubs found in U.P. for first time in more than a century

WXPR — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:34:07 +0000

By Katie Thoresen, WXPR

This story was originally published by WXPR. WXPR is a community-licensed public radio station serving north central Wisconsin and adjacent areas of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Listen to their stories here.

Cougar cubs have been found in Michigan.

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Is nuclear power clean energy?

Great Lakes Now — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 21:00:19 +0000

A draft report was released by Michigan’s Public Service Commission that says if the state wants to meet its goal of being carbon free by 2040, it will need to invest in new nuclear energy.

Sheri McWhirter covered the story for MLive.

“For many climate action advocates and even energy industry proponents, yes, nuclear energy is clean energy.

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Why Chicago will take decades to replace lead pipes

Great Lakes Now — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 22:00:19 +0000

In November of 2023, the EPA proposed new rules that would remove lead pipes from America’s drinking water infrastructure over the next decade. But with more lead pipes than any other city, Chicago is a notable exception.

Siri Chilukuri covered the story for Grist.

“There are 400,000 pipelines, and that would mean that the city would have to replace 40,000 led pipelines a year to meet that goal,” said Chilukuri.

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Ratepayers still paying for closing coal plants?

Great Lakes Now — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 22:00:47 +0000

In Wisconsin, several coal plants have announced plans to shut down. But ratepayers are still saddled with the cost.

Kari Lydersen reported on the story for Energy News Network.

According to state law, utility companies are allowed to keep making money from coal plants, even after they’ve ceased operation.

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Why poor air quality isn’t just a summer problem in Detroit

Planet Detroit — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 22:57:52 +0000

This article was republished here with permission from Planet Detroit.

By Brian Allnutt, Planet Detroit

Darren Riley noticed poor air quality across much of Michigan this week when off-the-shelf air monitors from companies like IQAir and PurpleAir showed readings as high as 154 for PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter) in Detroit on Sunday – putting the monitors in the red or ‘unhealthy’ range on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

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PFAS experts gather to address growing chemical crisis

Kathy Johnson, Great Lakes Now — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 21:28:34 +0000

In light of the ongoing PFAS crisis, stricter groundwater regulations were part of a Michigan statewide effort to protect resident’s health and improve water quality. This was before 3M corporation sued the state to invalidate these new rules. 3M prevailed in the lower courts and the state is currently awaiting a decision for an appeal filed with the Michigan Supreme Court.

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Great Lakes Moment: A Detroit perspective on the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act

John Hartig, Great Lakes Now — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 01:00:40 +0000

Great Lakes Moment is a monthly column written by Great Lakes Now Contributor John Hartig. Publishing the author’s views and assertions does not represent endorsement by Great Lakes Now or Detroit Public Television.

The Endangered Species Act was championed by metropolitan Detroit’s very own Congressman John D.

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Harmful algal blooms

Great Lakes Now — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:00:55 +0000

Harmful algal blooms exist throughout the Great Lakes, but are especially pervasive in the western basin of Lake Erie. The blooms cause concern because they are bacterial and can release toxins once they pop at the surface of the water.

The toxins are dangerous to humans and animals and can become airborne.

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Amendment to Clean Water Act improves Great Lakes through critical observation, collaboration

Jada Vasser, Great Lakes Now — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:45:17 +0000

From fishing to enjoying a summer day at the beach, the Great Lakes provide enjoyment, comfort and a sense of home to the region. But these bodies of water were not always secure, as the lakes and connecting rivers used to be considered dangerous due to high pollution spots.

The Great Lakes region has seen some of the most historic river fires.

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