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In: coal, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, epa, Groundwater Contamination, Ian Wendrow, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Mining, News, Ohio, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Great Lakes Energy News Roundup: Shale gas and coal groundwater impact, coal ash pollution in Indiana, Ohio EPA OKs mine despite protests

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

In this edition: Indiana residents are worried about insufficient measures being taken to address pollution during coal ash pond closure; Yale University study could help Ohio homeowners connect water contamination to shale gas and coal industry; Ohio EPA approves Athens County mine despite protests; Supreme Court ruling adopts new standard for Clean Water Act; and states and municipalities might not have the resources to make up for the federal government backing down on enforcement.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/energy-coal-ohio-indiana-enforcement/

Ian Wendrow

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In: clean energy, Cleveland, Climate change, Collaboration, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Cleveland, Fish, Birds and Animals, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Latest News, News, Ohio, Tourism, Waterfront Development, wind farm
Lake Erie Wind Farm Divides Environmental Activists

The contested case of the Icebreaker Wind Farm has implications for renewable energy in the region.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/rust-resilience-lake-erie-wind-farm/

Belt Magazine

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In: Gary Wilson, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, News, Water Withdrawals
Nestle Prevails: Law judge sides with water bottler in water withdrawal case

An administrative law judge ruled this week in favor of Nestle in the long-running dispute over whether the company would be allowed to increase its withdrawals of groundwater to support its water bottling operation in Michigan.

Grassroots activists challenged the 2018 decision by Michigan’s then Department of Environmental Quality under former Gov.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/nestle-prevails-law-judge-sides-with-water-bottler-in-water-withdrawal-case/

Gary Wilson

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In: Beaches, Boating, Paddle Sports and Sailing, Boating, Buffalo, Cleveland, COVID-19, Duluth, freighters, Gary Wilson, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Lake Superior, Latest News, Minnesota, New York, News, Ohio, Recreation, Tourism and Culture, recreational fishing, Recreational Hunting and Fishing, shipping, Shipping and Ports, Tourism
Fishing and Freighters: Great Lakes industries take COVID-19 economic hit

Lake Erie fishing charters reel from stay at home orders, and lake freighters idle due to industry shutdowns.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/covid-19-coronavirus-fishing-freighters-great-lakes-industries/

Gary Wilson

On:
In: Climate change, coal, Collaboration, Duluth, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Lake Superior, Latest News, Minnesota, News
In the ‘climate refuge’ city of Duluth, a fight brews over the hometown utility

There has been a growing climate movement in Duluth, a city that advertises itself as an outdoor haven with access to fresh air, clean water and Lake Superior.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/rust-resilience-minnesota-climate-refuge-utility/

MinnPost

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In: Climate change, coal, Collaboration, Duluth, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Minnesota, News, ports, shipping, Shipping and Ports, Wisconsin
As energy use changes in the Great Lakes, so too does the world’s largest freshwater port

The Port of Duluth-Superior is one of the largest ports in the U.S., and its second largest commodity is coal.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/rust-resilience-coal-port-minnesota/

MinnPost

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In: Chicago, Climate change, Collaboration, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature-Chicago, Illinois, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, technology
To protect people in the Great Lakes region from climate extremes, weatherize their homes

As climate change makes heat waves more frequent across the region and the nation, cities will need more tools to protect their residents.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/rust-resilience-climate-extremes-weatherization/

The Conversation

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In: Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Climate change, Collaboration, Detroit, Duluth, Feature Cleveland, Feature Detroit, Feature Milwaukee, Feature-Chicago, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Latest News, Milwaukee, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Recreation, Tourism and Culture, Region, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
From Rust to Resilience: Climate change brings new challenges and opportunities

Great Lakes Now is sharing work from our partners in a project on what climate change means for Great Lakes cities. Here is the initial piece in the series.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/rust-resilience-climate-change-great-lakes-cities/

Ensia

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In: Chicago, Duluth, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature-Chicago, Ian Wendrow, Illinois, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Latest News, line 5, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, oil pipelines, Ontario, St. Clair River, Water Withdrawals, Wisconsin
Great Lakes Energy News Roundup: Toxic coal ash, utility company water withdrawal, Line 5

Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

In this edition: Chicagoans furious after smokestack demolition releases dust in Little Village, toxic coal ash to remain on Michigan shorelines indefinitely as coal plants close, Minnesota and Wisconsin natural gas plant opting away from water withdrawal for cooling purposes, Ohio consumer advocate pushing to divert energy efficiency funds to COVID-19 relief payments, and Enbridge’s project to replace part of its Line 5 pipeline under the St.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-energy-line-5-coal-ash-demolition-water-withdrawals/

Ian Wendrow

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In: cleanup, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, Gary Abud Jr., Great Lakes, Great Lakes Learning, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, oil, pipelines, Protect, restoration, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Great Lakes Learning: How to clean up an “oil spill” at your kitchen table

As the author of Great Lakes Now’s Collection of Lesson Plans, educational consultant Gary Abud Jr. is now providing more support for parents, teachers and caregivers who want to incorporate Great Lakes learning into their time with children and students. His series of writings can be found HERE along with the lesson plans and a Virtual Field Trip.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-learning-clean-up-oil-spill/

Gary Abud Jr.

On:
In: cleanup, epa, EPA budget, funding, Gary Wilson, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, invasive species, Latest News, News, shipping, Shipping and Ports, state funding, The States, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Funding Boost: EPA gives Great Lakes extra $20 million but state funding at risk

Even as the federal government is spending trillions of dollars to boost the economy shut down by the COVID-19 virus, Congress has moved to increase funding for the Great Lakes.

The U.S. EPA announced last week that an additional $20 million has been allocated to restore the lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/epa-glri-extra-20-million-state-funding-at-risk/

Gary Wilson

On:
In: COVID-19, Drinking Water, economy, environment, epa, Great Lakes, Indiana, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, News, PFAS, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Ric Mixter, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
PFAS News Roundup: Indianapolis and Rhinelander find PFAS, PFAS testing and projects stalled due to COVID-19

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widespread man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or the human body and have been flagged as a major contaminant in sources of water across the country.

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/pfas-indiana-wisconsin-testing-covid-19/

Ric Mixter

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In: AP, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, line 5, Michigan, News, oil pipeline, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Enbridge seeks permits to build Great Lakes oil tunnel

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Enbridge Inc. applied Wednesday for state and federal authorization to construct an oil pipeline tunnel beneath the Michigan waterway that connects two of the Great Lakes.

The Canadian company wants to build a roughly 4-mile-long (6.4-kilometer-long) tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/ap-enbridge-permits-great-lakes-oil-pipeline-tunnel/

The Associated Press

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In: Duluth, freighters, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Minnesota, Natasha Blakely, News, photos, shipping, Shipping and Ports, soo locks, St. Mary's River
Freighter Photos: Check out some stunning images of the vessels traversing the lakes

Travel may not be an option for people right now with the ongoing spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are many ways to still take in the sights – including through photos of hard-to-find views of the massive freighters that cross the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership is a nonprofit initiative that is a collaboration between U.S.

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Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/freighter-photos-great-lakes-seaway/

Natasha Blakely

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In: Drinking Water, environment, Great Lakes, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, News, PFAS, Protect, Ric Mixter, water
Coping with PFAS: How have families been dealing with PFAS contamination in their communities

In this web exclusive, two residents from Kent County, Michigan, share about their struggles with PFAS.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/episode-1012-web-extra-pfas-families/

Ric Mixter

On:
In: Collaboration, coronavirus, COVID-19, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Latest News, line 5, News, straits of mackinac, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Enbridge to move forward with tunnel permitting amid pandemic, Interlochen Public Radio reports

By Kaye LaFond, Interlochen Public Radio

Enbridge Energy will not delay submitting permits for its controversial Great Lakes Tunnel Project because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tribal governments that oppose the project want Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to slow the process down. They say it’s impossible to prepare for public comment and official tribal consultations when most tribal staff are sheltering in place.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/enbridge-move-forward-tunnel-permitting-covid-19/

GLN Editor

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In: Chicago, COVID-19, economy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, environment, Great Lakes, Ian Wendrow, Illinois, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, water, Wisconsin
Great Lakes Energy News Roundup: COVID-19 impacting utilities everywhere and across industries

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/great-lakes-energy-coronavirus-covid-19-nuclear-solar/

Ian Wendrow

On:
In: Agriculture, Algae Blooms, algal bloom, AP, associated press, economy, environment, Great Lakes, Groundwater Contamination, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, pollution, Protect, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Michigan bans spreading manure on croplands in winter months

Michigan EGLE said the ban is intended to prevent manure from flowing into waterways. Manure is a leading polluter of the Great Lakes, inland lakes and streams.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/04/ap-michigan-ban-manure-croplands-winter/

The Associated Press

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In: COVID-19, economy, environment, Great Lakes, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Lorraine Boissoneault, News, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, water
Shipping Continues: Great Lakes shipping season opens with extra social distancing

Great Lakes shipping hasn’t been stopped by the coronavirus, even as the industry waits to see how it will be impacted in the long term.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/covid-19-coronavirus-shipping-freighters-safety-health/

Lorraine Boissoneault

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In: AP, Drinking Water, economy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, environment, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Lake Superior, Minnesota, News, pollution, Protect
Minnesota Supreme Court agrees to hear PolyMet permit appeal

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has agreed to hear PolyMet Mining Inc.’s appeal of a ruling that canceled three permits needed for its proposed copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota.

In January, the Minnesota Court of Appeals gave environmentalists a major victory by rejecting some of the most important permits for the planned mine.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-minnesota-supreme-court-polymet-permit-appeal/

The Associated Press

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In: Advocacy, Drinking Water, economy, environment, epa, Great Lakes, Indiana, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, PFAS, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Ric Mixter, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Waterfront Development, Wisconsin
PFAS News Roundup: Indiana restricts PFAS foam, Wisconsin utility sued, 651 military bases likely polluted

Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/pfas-indiana-wisconsin-new-york-landfill-military/

Ric Mixter

On:
In: AP, associated press, Drinking Water, economy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, environment, Great Lakes, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Minnesota, News, pollution, water, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Minnesota Court of Appeals sends PolyMet permit back to MPCA

By Amy Forliti, Associated Press Writer

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals sent an air-emissions permit for the PolyMet copper-nickel mine back to state regulators for further review on Monday, giving another victory to environmental groups who oppose the project.

The appeals court found that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency did not adequately evaluate whether the air permit requested by PolyMet was a “sham permit” — meaning one that didn’t accurately reflect the size and scope of PolyMet’s proposed mine.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-minnesota-court-appeals-polymet-permit-mpca/

The Associated Press

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In: Drinking Water, economy, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, environment, Great Lakes, Ian Wendrow, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, pollution, water, Wisconsin
Great Lakes Energy News Roundup: Mich. “energy freedom” bills, Toledo low-income community solar project, Minn. Supreme Court backs frac-sand mining ban

Catch the latest in Great Lakes energy news in Great Lakes Now’s fortnightly energy-related headline roundup.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/energy-solar-low-income-court-appeal/

Ian Wendrow

On:
In: AP, associated press, enbridge, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, line 5, Michigan, News, pipelines
Enbridge hires companies to design, build Great Lakes tunnel

By John Flesher, AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Enbridge Inc. said Friday it has hired companies to design and build a disputed oil pipeline tunnel beneath the channel linking Lakes Huron and Michigan, despite pending legal challenges.

The Canadian company is forging ahead with plans to begin construction work next year on the tunnel, which would replace twin pipes that have lain across the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac in northern Michigan since 1953.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-enbridge-hires-contractors-design-build-great-lakes-tunnel/

The Associated Press

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In: AP, Drinking Water, environment, epa, flint, Great Lakes, Groundwater Contamination, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Michigan, News, pollution, water, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Michigan Supreme Court hears case over Flint water liability

By Ed White, Associated Press Writer

DETROIT (AP) — Lawyers urged the Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday to clear the way for Flint residents to sue state officials over lead-contaminated water.

The case at the state’s highest court is one of many in state and federal courts over the scandal.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/ap-michigan-supreme-court-flint-water-liability/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Budget, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, detroit river, Drinking Water, economy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, environment, epa, Feature Cleveland, Feature Detroit, Feature Milwaukee, Feature-Chicago, Gary Wilson, Great Lakes, Groundwater Contamination, Illinois, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, Milwaukee, News, Ohio, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, pollution, Protect, Recreation, Tourism and Culture, Shipping and Ports, The States, Tourism, water, Waterfront Development, Wisconsin
Who’s in charge: Lack of storage facility oversight puts waterways at risk

In major lakeside cities around the Great Lakes, there isn’t a clear answer on who handles oversight of industrial storage facilities.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/03/seawall-inspections-industrial-storage-pollution-government/

Gary Wilson