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Short-changing Michigan local governments has resulted in deteriorating water systems and other services

By Lester Graham, Michigan Radio

This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

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Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/short-changing-michigan-local-governments-deteriorating-water-systems/

Michigan Radio

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In: Agriculture, Chicago, Climate change, Drinking Water, Drinking Water News Roundup, Illinois, Latest News, Minnesota, Municipalities, Natasha Blakely, News, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Science, Technology, Research, Tribal Governments and First Nations, Wisconsin
Drinking Water News Roundup: First Nation residents call settlement restrictive, Wisconsin towns try regulating big farms, Chicago cans tap water

From lead pipes to PFAS, drinking water contamination is a major issue plaguing cities and towns all around the Great Lakes. Cleaning up contaminants and providing safe water to everyone is an ongoing public health struggle.

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

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois:

  • Illinois American Water Ranks #1, J.D.

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Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/drinking-water-news-roundup-first-nation-settlement-wisconsin-towns-chicago-water/

Natasha Blakely

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In: awards, Events and Special Broadcasts, Feature Homepage, great lakes now, Latest News, News
Winning Work: Great Lakes Now collects 12 journalism awards

From TV segments to news articles, collaborative work with partners to social media strategy, environmentally focused coverage to community news, Great Lakes Now walked away from the Society of Professional Journalists – Detroit Chapter’s 2022 Excellence in Journalism award ceremony with a dozen acknowledgements for the work the regional team did in 2021.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/great-lakes-now-collects-12-journalism-awards/

GLN Editor

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In: AP, Cleveland, dams, flooding, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Michigan, News, Ohio, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, report, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
AP analysis finds growing number of poor, high-hazard dams

By David A. Lieb, Michael Casey and Michelle Minkoff, Associated Press

Constructed four generations ago, the massive rock and clay dam at El Capitan Reservoir is capable of storing over 36 billion gallons of water, enough to supply every resident in San Diego for most of a year.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/ap-analysis-growing-number-of-dams/

The Associated Press

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In: Budget, clean water act, Feature Homepage, Groundwater Contamination, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, News, Pennsylvania, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, pollution, Protect, Rivers, Sharon Oosthoek, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
Nonprofit report points to outdated Clean Water Act for the miles of polluted rivers across the U.S.

In 1972, the federal Clean Water Act proclaimed an ambitious goal – “fishable, swimmable” waters across the U.S. by 1983. Today, just over half of assessed river and stream miles across the U.S. remain too polluted for swimming and recreation, aquatic life, fish consumption, or as drinking water sources.

That assessment comes from a newly released report from the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), a non-profit group founded in 2002 by former EPA enforcement attorneys.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/outdated-clean-water-act-polluted-rivers/

Sharon Oosthoek

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In: Budget, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, dams, flooding, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, Midland, Municipalities, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Science, Technology, Research, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Who’s at fault for Midland dam failures? Pretty much everyone, report says

By Kelly House, Bridge Michigan

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

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Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/midland-dam-failures-report/

Bridge Michigan

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The report on Ontario’s natural resources the government didn’t want you to read

By Emma McIntosh, The Narwhal

This story first ran on The Narwhal, a non-profit news organization that publishes in-depth stories about Canada’s natural world.

From warming water to shifting growing seasons, Ontario is already seeing the effects of climate change. But for the most part, Doug Ford and his government say, the province’s natural resources are doing just fine.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/report-ontario-natural-resources/

The Narwhal

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In: Climate change, Collaboration, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, Ohio, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, storms, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments
Storms strain Ohio’s electric grid, and climate change could make it worse

By Kathiann M. Kowalski, Energy News Network

This story was first published on the Energy News Network and was republished here with permission.

Major weather events accounted for more than a third of the time Ohio customers of regulated electric utilities went without power last year, according to an Energy News Network review of data filed with state regulators.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/storms-ohio-electric-grid-climate-change/

Energy News Network

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In: Algae Blooms, Drinking Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, Feature Homepage, Forests and Plants, Groundwater Contamination, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, Municipalities, News, Science, Technology, Research, septic systems, sewage, sewage infrastructure, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Michigan’s lack of septic system regulations is causing problems for some of its most pristine lakes

By Lester Graham, Michigan Radio

This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

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Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/michigans-septic-system-problems-lakes/

Michigan Radio

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In: Advocacy, AP, Climate change, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, gas, Illinois, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lawsuit, Michigan, New York, News, Pennsylvania, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States
16 states that want to electrify USPS fleet file lawsuits

By David Sharp, Associated Press

California and 15 states that want the U.S. Postal Service to electrify its mail delivery vehicles are suing to halt purchases of thousands of gas-powered trucks as the agency modernizes its delivery fleet.

Three separate lawsuits, filed Thursday by the states and environmental groups in New York and California, ask judges to order a more thorough environmental review before the Postal Service moves forward with the next-generation delivery vehicle program.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

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Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/ap-states-electrify-usps-lawsuits/

The Associated Press

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In: Budget, Drinking Water, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Equity and Environmental Justice, Feature Homepage, Feature Lead, flint, Illinois, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Latest News, Lead, lead pipes, Michigan, Municipalities, Natasha Blakely, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Michigan’s 20th Century water systems too big for its shrinking city populations

This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.

In 2014, the legacy problem of lead pipes throughout the nation came to a head in Flint, Michigan, when the city emergency manager’s decision to switch the water source and not treat it to prevent corrosion led to lead leaching from the pipes into the city’s drinking water.

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Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/michigans-water-systems-city-populations/

Natasha Blakely

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In: benton harbor, Budget, development, Drinking Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, Feature Homepage, flint, infrastructure, Latest News, Lead, Michigan, Municipalities, News, PFAS, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Water's True Cost
Water woes loom for Michigan suburbs, towns after decades of disinvestment

By Kelly House

This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/water-woes-michigan-suburbs-disinvestment/

Bridge Michigan

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In: Advocacy, Budget, Drinking Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, Feature Homepage, fund, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, Municipalities, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, rural, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Many Rural Towns Have Neglected Drinking Water Systems for Decades

By Lester Graham

This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/rural-towns-drinking-water-systems/

Michigan Radio

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In: AP, Budget, Drinking Water, Forever Chemicals Featured, Groundwater Contamination, News, PFAS, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
Madison mayor wants to spend $425K on PFAS filtration system

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway wants to spend $425,000 to design a system to filter PFAS chemicals out of a city well.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported Monday that the mayor said the system would be the first in Wisconsin designed to filter the so-called “forever chemicals” out of drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/madison-mayor-pfas-filtration-system/

The Associated Press

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In: AP, development, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, News, Ohio, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, storm drainage, The States, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
New Ohio law eases state regulation of some streams

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — State regulation of streams that flow temporarily after rainfall will be restricted under legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.

Construction companies, the mining industry and other business groups say removing so-called ephemeral streams from regulation would make Ohio’s practice consistent with federal law.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/ohio-law-state-regulation-streams/

The Associated Press

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In: Detroit, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, John Hartig, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ontario, Recreation and Tourism, Science, Technology, Research, Toronto, Tourism, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, waterfront
Great Lakes Moment: Similarities between the Don and Rouge rivers, and one big difference

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.

There are many similarities between Toronto’s lower Don River and metropolitan Detroit’s Rouge River.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/great-lakes-moment-don-rouge-rivers/

John Hartig

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In: clean water, Detroit, Drinking Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, Feature Homepage, flint, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, Municipalities, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States, water, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Water's True Cost
After Decades of Neglect, Bill Coming Due for Michigan’s Water Infrastructure

This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.

PONTIAC, Mich.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/bill-michigans-water-infrastructure/

Circle of Blue

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In: Drinking Water, forever chemicals, Forever Chemicals Featured, infrastructure, Municipalities, Natasha Blakely, New York, News, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Policy, Research, Data and Technology, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
PFAS News Roundup: PFAS in face masks, McDonald’s and Burger King sued for PFAS in packaging

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.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/pfas-news-roundup-face-masks-fast-food-chains-sued/

Natasha Blakely

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In: detroit river, Fish, Birds and Animals, Habitat Restoration, John Hartig, lake erie, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ohio, Ontario, otters, Protect, Research, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, watershed, Wildlife
River otters return to the Detroit River

On the cool morning of April 25, doctoral student Eric Ste Marie from the University of Windsor’s department of integrative biology went out for a walk with his partner along the Detroit River prior to an anticipated long day in his lab. Much to his surprise, he saw an animal pop its head out of the water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/river-otters-detroit-river/

John Hartig

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In: great lakes now, Latest News, Michigan, Natasha Blakely, News, Quiz
Mushrooms and Mobsters: The Great Lakes Now Episode Quiz

Great Lakes Now episodes are packed with interesting history and modern discoveries.

In “Mushrooms and Mobsters,” learn about one of the largest organisms in the world, the fungus that put Crystal Falls, Michigan, on the map. Dig into the past as we look at some of the notable gangsters of the ‘30s and ‘40s that vacationed in by the lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/mushrooms-mobsters-episode-quiz/

Natasha Blakely

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In: great lakes now, Latest News, Michigan, Natasha Blakely, News, Quiz
Mushrooms and Mobsters: The Great Lakes Now Episode Quiz

Great Lakes Now episodes are packed with interesting history and modern discoveries.

In “Mushrooms and Mobsters,” learn about one of the largest organisms in the world, the fungus that put Crystal Falls, Michigan, on the map. Dig into the past as we look at some of the notable gangsters of the ‘30s and ‘40s that vacationed in by the lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/mushrooms-mobsters-episode-quiz/

Natasha Blakely

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In: canada, Commercial Fishing, Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, invasive species, Latest News, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Research, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Shipping and Ports, u.s., U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments
Years of regulation may have reduced invasive species risks in the Great Lakes, study says

The issue of invasive species has haunted the Great Lakes region for decades, but a recent study shows that regulatory intervention can actually help stem the problem.

The study, released by McGill University and the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, looked at the bi-national regulation of ballast water.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/regulation-invasive-species-great-lakes/

Maya Sundaresan

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In: AP, carbon, carbon dioxide, Climate change, gas, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, News, Pennsylvania, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, The States
Coal interests sue to block Pennsylvania’s carbon policy

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Coal-related interests sued on April 28 to block the centerpiece of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to fight climate change, a carbon-pricing policy that will impose a cost for emitting planet-warming carbon dioxide from fossil fuel-fired power plants.

The lawsuit filed in Commonwealth Court by owners of coal-fired power plants, owners of coal mines and labor unions that mine coal and maintain the power plants say the regulation written by Wolf’s administration is “patently unlawful.”

The regulation took effect Saturday after a long regulatory vetting process and fights with a hostile Legislature controlled by Republicans who are historically protective of Pennsylvania’s coal and natural gas industries.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/coal-interests-carbon-policy/

The Associated Press

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In: Alex Hill, Climate change, Feature Homepage, Forests and Plants, great lakes map, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, mapping, News, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments
Mapping the Great Lakes: Where to find your sugar maples

The Great Lakes region may be best known for its freshwater resources, but another resource it has in abundance is its maple syrup. Canada is the world’s leading producer of maple syrup, generating 75% of the global supply. Within Canada, the province of Quebec is the top producer (96.4%) of maple syrup products followed by Ontario.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/mapping-the-great-lakes-sugar-maples/

Alex Hill

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In: AP, canada, Climate change, Fish, Birds and Animals, habitat, Habitat Restoration, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Science, Technology, Research, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Wildlife
Canada lynx protections deal sealed by US, environmentalists

By Matthew Brown, Associated Press

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. wildlife officials have agreed to craft a new habitat plan for the snow-loving Canada lynx that could include more land in Colorado and other western states where the rare animals would be protected, according to a legal agreement made public Tuesday.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/ap-canada-lynx-protections-deal/

The Associated Press

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In: Drinking Water, great lakes news collaborative, Great Lakes Now Events and Road/River Shows, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, water, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Water's True Cost
Great Lakes News Collaborative examines Water’s True Cost

As the nation prepares to pour billions of federal dollars into rescuing water systems, the Great Lakes News Collaborative investigates the true cost of water in Michigan with a special series of reports and events during May.  Reporters from Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now, and Michigan Radio have combined their resources for the most extensive coverage on the cost of water in Michigan to date.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/great-lakes-news-collaborative-waters-true-cost/

GLN Editor

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In: canada, Collaboration, development, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, lake erie, Lake Ontario, Municipalities, News, Ontario, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, The Provinces, Toronto, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, waterways
What’s missing from Doug Ford’s proposed expansion of the Ontario Greenbelt

By Emma McIntosh, The Narwhal

This story first ran on The Narwhal, a non-profit news organization that publishes in-depth stories about Canada’s natural world.

When the Doug Ford government first announced plans to expand Ontario’s Greenbelt, it called the move a “once in a generation opportunity.”

The initial concept, presented by Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark in February 2021, involved ambitious plans to include waterways under the Greenbelt’s protection and stretch its boundaries to encompass a large swath of land west of Toronto.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/doug-fords-expansion-ontario-greenbelt/

The Narwhal

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In: Forests, Forests and Plants, fungus, Latest News, Michigan, Natasha Blakely, News, Research, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research
Lessons to learn from a very big mushroom

“Listen to your elders” is something we often hear, and what could be more of an elder than a 2,500-year-old fungus that’s alive and well in the Great Lakes region.

In 1992, scientist and forest pathologist Johann Bruhn discovered a very large mycelium – the root-like structure forming a fungal colony – in Crystal Falls, Michigan.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/life-lessons-big-mushroom/

Natasha Blakely

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In: Advocacy, AP, Climate change, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, greenhouse gas, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, News, Pennsylvania, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States
Big greenhouse gas state taking biggest climate step yet

By Marc Levy, Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — More than two years after he started work on it, Gov. Tom Wolf is set to enact the centerpiece of his plan to fight climate change, making Pennsylvania the first major fossil fuel state to adopt a carbon pricing policy — but it might be a short-lived victory.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/ap-greenhouse-gas-state-climate-step/

The Associated Press

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In: AP, Drinking Water, Earth Day, Earth Week, Equity and Environmental Justice, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, The States, Wisconsin
Evers creates new office of environmental justice

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers on Friday signed an executive order creating a new office of environmental justice, announcing the move on Earth Day.

Republicans last year removed the office from Evers’ proposed budget. But the Democrat up for reelection this November got around them by creating it through an executive order.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/ap-evers-office-environmental-justice/

The Associated Press

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In: AP, carbon, Climate change, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, gas, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, New York, News, Pennsylvania, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Science, Technology, Research, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments
EXPLAINER: Can climate change be solved by pricing carbon?

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — As climate change bakes the planet, dozens of nations and many local governments are putting a price tag on greenhouse gas emissions that are increasing flooding, droughts and other costly catastrophes.

Pennsylvania on Saturday becomes the first major fossil fuel-producing state in the U.S.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/climate-change-pricing-carbon/

The Associated Press

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In: News
Episode 2204 Lesson Plans: The Fungus Among Us

This lesson will explore the phenomenon of fungal networks in the city of Crystal Falls, MI to help students learn some of the science of the fungi kingdom. They will learn how fungi help plants to communicate with each other and contribute to everyday foods we enjoy. Learners will engage in experiments to investigate the factors that affect mold growth on bread, how temperature influences yeast growth, and create a model to explain fungal networks.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/2204-fungus-lesson-plan/

Gary Abud Jr.

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In: Drinking Water, Events, Events and Special Broadcasts, Great Lakes Now Events and Road/River Shows, infrastructure, News, PBS, water, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Water's True Cost
Join the Conversations: Events on “Water’s True Cost” will answer your questions about water infrastructure

Throughout the Great Lakes region and across the United States, water systems are aging.

In some communities, this means water bills that residents can’t afford or water that’s unsafe to drink. It’s also leading to increased pollution in some of Michigan’s most pristine lakes. From shrinking older cities and small towns to the comparatively thriving suburbs, the true cost of water has been deferred for decades.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/waters-true-cost-events/

GLN Editor

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In: coal ash, Collaboration, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Groundwater Contamination, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Lake Michigan, Latest News, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Northern Indiana residents doubt outcome of coal ash cleanup

By Beth Edwards, Indiana Environmental Reporter

Some northern Indiana residents remain skeptical that communities in the area will be free of contamination from toxic coal ash, despite a renewed commitment by government agencies and one of the state’s biggest energy companies to clean up polluted sites and transition to renewable energy sources.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/indiana-residents-coal-ash-cleanup/

Indiana Environmental Reporter

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In: Advocacy, AP, Climate change, Earth Day, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Equity and Environmental Justice, Feature Homepage, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research
Cleaner Earth: Healing ozone hole, less smog, more eagles

By Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer

With climate change, plastic pollution and a potential sixth mass extinction, humanity has made some incredible messes in the world.

But when people, political factions and nations have pulled together, they have also cleaned up some of those human-caused environmental problems, including healing the ozone hole, clearing perpetually smoggy air and saving many species from the brink of extinction.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/ap-healing-ozone-hole-smog-eagles/

The Associated Press

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In: canada, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Fish, Birds and Animals, forever chemicals, Forever Chemicals Featured, lake erie, Michigan, New York, News, Ohio, Pennsylvania, PFAS, Protect, Quebec, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Wisconsin
FRESH: Wisconsin Judge Strikes Down Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Cleanup Rule

Fresh is a biweekly newsletter from Circle of Blue that unpacks the biggest international, state, and local policy news stories facing the Great Lakes region today. Sign up for Fresh: A Great Lakes Policy Briefing, straight to your inbox, every other Tuesday.

— Laura Gersony, Fresh Editor

This Week’s Watersheds

  • A court ruling out of Wisconsin hamstrings the state’s cleanup of toxic “forever chemicals.”
  • Quebec becomes the first jurisdiction in North America to ban fossil fuel extraction.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/wisconsin-judge-forever-chemicals-cleanup/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: AP, Budget, Climate change, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Lake Michigan, Michigan, News, nuclear, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, whitmer
Gov. Whitmer wants federal aid to keep nuclear plant open

By Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press

Michigan’s Democratic governor wants a nuclear power plant on Lake Michigan to stay open and she’s asking the federal government to pay for it.

But the owner of the Palisades Power Plant says it’s too late — the plant will be shut down in May as scheduled.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/ap-whitmer-federal-aid-nuclear-plant/

The Associated Press

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In: Climate change, Enbridge Line 5 and Other Pipelines, Energy, Energy News Roundup, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Michigan, Minnesota, Natasha Blakely, News, Ohio, Ontario, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Wisconsin
Energy News Roundup: Ontario looks to phase out natural gas, wild rice could stop Line 3, Energy Department invests in cybersecurity

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

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Illinois:

  • Illinois EPA grants permit to Pond Creek Mine to dump polluted water into Big Muddy – The Southern Illinoisan

On April 15, 2022, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA, IEPA, or Agency) approved a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for Williamson Energy, LLC Pond Creek Mine No.

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Natasha Blakely

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Minnesota Supreme Court to hear challenge in PolyMet case

By Steve Karnowski, Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear a challenge by environmentalists over portions of a lower court ruling involving a key permit for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals in January reversed a 2018 decision by state regulators to issue PolyMet Mining Corp.

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Energy shift creates opening for ‘world’s largest batteries’

By John Flesher, Associated Press

LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) — Sprawled like a gigantic swimming pool atop a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan is an asphalt-and-clay pond holding enough water to produce electricity for 1.6 million households.

It’s part of the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant, which uses simple technology: Water is piped from a lower reservoir — the lake, in this case — to an upper one, then released downhill through supersized turbines.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/ap-worlds-largest-batteries/

The Associated Press

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In: Capri Cafaro, Climate change, Feature Homepage, Food, Forests and Plants, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, Ohio, Protect, Research, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, trees, Wisconsin
The Great Lakes sugaring season is changing

An area like the Great Lakes that has rain and higher temperatures in the summer, followed by a cold, snowy winter, is best suited for maple production.

But the Great Lakes maple season is evolving as climate change increasingly impacts maple syrup production with shorter harvest seasons, less sugar production and unreliable sap flow.

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Capri S. Cafaro

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In: Advocacy, AP, Detroit, Grand Rapids, infrastructure, Michigan, Municipalities, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, recycling, Science, Technology, Research, technology
Report: Michigan increases recycling by 35.4% in 3 years

Michigan has reached a 19.3% recycling rate, an increase of 35.4% from prior to 2019, according to an analysis the state of Michigan released Monday ahead of Earth Day on Friday.

Before 2019, the state estimated Michigan’s recycling rate, the rate at which recyclable materials are recycled from waste, was 14.25%.

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In: Chicago, Drinking Water, Feature Homepage, Illinois, John McCracken, Lake Michigan, Latest News, Municipalities, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Science, Technology, Research, The States, water, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
To build a new pipeline or not: Illinois city seeks Lake Michigan water

In less than a decade, Joliet, Illinois, could run out of water.

The city of 150,000 people, roughly 45 minutes southwest of Chicago, is facing a looming water crisis as the patchwork of underground wells and aquifers it currently uses for municipal water is drying up.

Joliet currently relies on the Cambrian-Ordovician sandstone aquifer system for its water.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/build-new-pipeline-illinois-lake-michigan-water/

John McCracken

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In: AP, Groundwater Contamination, News, PFAS, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
DNR restarts effort to set bacteria standards in groundwater

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Department of Natural Resources has restarted efforts to set standards for bacteria in groundwater after conservatives on the agency’s policy board killed the attempt in February.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported that the board on Wednesday authorized a public hearing and comment period on a new rule-making process to set groundwater standards for E.

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In: diving, Feature Homepage, fish, Fish, Birds and Animals, I Speak for the Fish, Kathy Johnson, lake erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Latest News, Michigan, News, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, St. Clair River
I Speak for the Fish: How the round goby changed the Great Lakes, twice

Some dives are so pivotal that they permanently fuse themselves into my memory bank.

I’ll never forget my first open water dive in the St. Clair River under my family’s dock, or the first time I looked for a drowning victim as a member of the St. Clair County Sherriff Department Dive Rescue and Recovery team.

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Kathy Johnson

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Group: Feds hid plans to weaken whooping crane protection

The Biden administration made secret plans to weaken protection for whooping cranes, and documents obtained through an open records request show officials “seem to have been deliberately misleading the public,” an environmental group says.

The documents show that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to propose changing the only natural flock’s status from endangered to threatened, the Center for Biological Diversity said in a news release linking to some of the papers.

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Researchers find wetland plant can filter PFAS chemicals

By Enrique Saenz, Indiana Environmental Reporter

Researchers have found that a common wetland plant native to Australia can remove toxic “forever chemicals” from the surrounding environment.

In a 190-day greenhouse experiment, a team of Chinese and Australian researchers found that Juncus sarophorus, a wetland plant also known as the broom rush, could tolerate and accumulate PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS, three of the most commonly studied PFAS chemicals.

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Indiana Environmental Reporter

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The Catch: Interlochen Public Radio podcast finds ‘[Un]Natural Selection’ in nature

Broadcasting in our monthly PBS television program, The Catch is a Great Lakes Now series that brings you more news about the lakes you love. Go beyond the headlines with reporters from around the region who cover the lakes and drinking water issues. Find all the work HERE.

Turns out what used to be natural selection is becoming a bit unnatural.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/the-catch-unnatural-selection/

GLN Editor

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Drinking Water News Roundup: EPA won’t regulate rocket fuel, Illinois prison water contaminated with Legionella

From lead pipes to PFAS, drinking water contamination is a major issue plaguing cities and towns all around the Great Lakes. Cleaning up contaminants and providing safe water to everyone is an ongoing public health struggle.

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

Click on the headline to read the full story:
Illinois:

  • Illinois advocates call for action after prison officials mislead on contaminated water – The Appeal

On March 11, IDOC and the Illinois Department of Public Health released a joint press release announcing that Legionella bacteria had been detected in two prisons—Stateville Correctional Center and Joliet Treatment Center.

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https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/04/drinking-water-news-roundup-epa-rocket-fuel-prison-water-contaminated/

Natasha Blakely

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In: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Drinking Water, Groundwater Contamination, Latest News, Michigan, News, PFAS, Research, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, wastewater, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Research finds more PFAS coming out of wastewater treatment plants than going in

By Tracy Samilton, Michigan Radio

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

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Michigan Radio