Michigan Environmental Issues

Work under way on Muskegon Lake shoreline restoration

2009-11-08T11:09:21Z

A $10 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant to restore the shoreline habitat along the southern Muskegon Lake shoreline could get underway next year.

Protecting Art, One Top Left, & Dioxin Preview

2009-11-06T14:51:13Z

Protecting art from climate change. Kyle Norris looks at how climate change is affecting the preservation of artworks and artifacts. Also, the last remaining in-tact mountain in Coal River Valley is now being blasted. Lester talks with the Center for...

No Take Backs & Low Flow Shower Tests

2009-11-06T14:44:57Z

Industry groups say "take back that 'take back' law!" Samara Freemark reports on the court challenge of New York City's electronics take back law. Industry groups are suing to repeal the law. The suit could have wide implications. And another...

Jody Pollok-Newsom - Michigan corn industry is alive and well

2009-11-04T15:56:57Z

Jody Pollok-Newsom is executive director of the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan. Many people think of ethanol when they think of corn. “When you look at the ethanol industry, a lot of people know ethanol has been around a long time and that the Model T was developed to run on ethanol,” Pollok-Newsom tells Kirk Heinze. “But we never really stepped up as a country to make it a part of an energy independence strategy. “It’s still a young growing industry that is not mature. And when you have a young growing industry you have companies working to grow with the industry.”

Big Oil Attacks & Honey Bee Love

2009-11-04T14:45:04Z

Congress is taking on climate change and "Big Oil" is taking on those who are sitting at the table. Mark Brush reports that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is the target of recent attacks. And... for the love of honeybees. Lester...

ITC CEO Joseph Welch Talks Electric Power Transmission at the Detroit Economic Club

2009-11-03T18:36:36Z

On November 2, 2009, Joseph Welch, Chairman, President and CEO of ITC Holdings Corporation, spoke to the Detroit Economic Club at the Detroit Marriott, which I attended. ITC Holdings is the largest independent electrical transmission company in the United States,...

Water Usage & Sparring In The South

2009-11-03T14:50:33Z

Americans are using less water than they have in the past. Lester talks with one of the authors of a report released by the U.S. Geological Survey. And... H2O in Hot-Lanta. Atlanta, Georgia and other southern cities have seen a...

Carol Miller - sustainability at Wayne State University

2009-11-03T12:51:11Z

Carol Miller is professor and chair of civil and environmental engineering at Wayne State University's College of Engineering, and she chairs the President's Standing Committee on Environmental Initiatives. “We are a multi-disciplinary group of faculty, staff and students who have either a passionate interest in the environment or a background in environmental science,” Miller tells Kirk Heinze. “We gather monthly to discuss ongoing sustainability on campus and make recommendations for future activities.”

Turn Off The Bus & Zero Waste

2009-11-02T16:14:15Z

Shut off that bus! Mark Brush reports on the enforcement of anti-idling laws. Diesel exhaust from school buses can affect the health of the kiddies sitting inside. And... a city's goal of zero waste. Maybe it doesn't make sense to...

Fewer Americans See Evidence & The Waterpod

2009-11-02T16:10:13Z

Do fewer Americans believe in global warming? Lester takes a look at a new report released by the Pew Research Center. It shows fewer people see evidence of global warming than did last year. And... artists in New York City...

Larry Drzal - developing next generation of advanced battery technology

2009-11-02T13:39:48Z

Larry Drzal and his MSU College of Engineering colleagues have secured about $4 million in funding from multiple federal, state, and commercial organizations to develop the next generation of advanced battery and capacitor technology. New nanomaterials, nanomaterial architectures, processing techniques, and electrode designs are being developed to produce high-energy batteries and high-power super capacitors for the personal, transportation, and infrastructure sectors.

USEPA Issues Final Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting Rules

2009-10-30T19:45:53Z

In an earlier blog post, I reported the the USEPA had published a Proposed Rule that would require certain companies to report the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) they emit. On October 30, 2009, the USEPA published its final rule,...

Andy Hoffman - If you aren't at the table, you're on the menu

2009-10-29T16:53:13Z

Andy Hoffman has co-authored a book for Chief Operating Officers that everyone in a leadership position should read: Climate Change, What’s Your Business Strategy? Not your typical academic, Hoffman—Holcim Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan—has looked at sustainability from multiple perspectives.

Green Fuel & Milk And Manure

2009-10-29T14:37:14Z

Greener ethanol on short supply. There was supposed to be 100 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol ready for next year. But the industry says it can produce only one-tenth of that. Shawn Allee finds out why. And... milk and manure....

Grand Rapids plan for wind turbines at water plant faces federal, Grand Haven Township scrutiny

2009-10-29T09:36:01Z

These wind turbines provide power to a utility in Atlantic City, N.J. Could Grand Rapids follow suit?

University of Michigan solar car races across Australian outback and more

2009-10-28T14:45:54Z

Here's a look at what's happening recently in higher education around Washtenaw County and beyond: The U-M solar car at Energy Fest on campus this September. The car, built by students, is racing through the Australian outback in the World......

Senate Debate & Swine Flu Vaccine

2009-10-28T13:45:54Z

It's official... the Senate is taking on climate change. Lester Graham reports on the first committee hearing. Members of President Obama's cabinet testified along with others. But for the most part, minds have been made up. And... risk the...

Greening of Detroit celebrating 20 years of greening Detroit

2009-10-28T12:52:12Z

The Greening of Detroit is celebrating its 20th year of growing Detroit. Throughout the year community partners, key leaders, farmers, tree enthusiasts, environmentalists and foodies from throughout the nation will celebrate Detroit’s innovative work focused on building a greener, healthier and more sustainable city.

Deal struck on Great Lakes ship pollution

2009-10-28T05:35:25Z

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Congressional negotiators reached a deal Tuesday that would effectively exempt 13 ships that haul iron ore, coal and other freight on the Great Lakes from a proposed federal rule meant to reduce air pollution. The Lake...

Beerhorst family chickens can stay until Grand Rapids determines its stance toward urban roosts

2009-10-27T15:29:27Z

The Beerhorst family chickens can stay in their urban roost while city commissioners debate whether to create an ordinance allowing them to stay permanently.