🚰 Detroit flood victims asked to sign waiver, raising concerns Detroit residents impacted by last week’s water main break flood were asked to sign a liability waiver before receiving city-funded repairs, sparking confusion and skepticism. After questions from the Detroit Free Press and pushback from residents, the city revised the document to clarify that it only waives liability for issues arising from repair work—not for the flood itself. While officials promise full reimbursement for uninsured damages, legal experts warn homeowners face high legal hurdles if they seek to sue the city over flood losses. Some residents, desperate for help, signed the waiver without fully understanding its implications. 📌 Source: Detroit Free Press
🔋 GM funds Detroit job training for EV, clean energy—despite policy shifts General Motors is investing $400,000 in Detroit-based Matrix Human Services to launch a pilot workforce program training 40 Detroiters for clean energy and EV industry jobs. The move comes as the industry faces uncertainty following President Trump’s rollback of EV mandates. The program builds on Matrix’s prior workforce initiatives and aims to prepare participants for long-term careers in a sector still in flux. While EV enthusiasm has cooled, GM said it remains committed to strengthening Detroit’s talent pipeline. 📌 Source: Crain’s Detroit Business
⚡DTE preps Trenton battery plant to avoid California-style fires After a massive battery fire at California’s Moss Landing facility, DTE Energy and Trenton officials are implementing extra safety measures at their new Downriver battery storage site. Unlike Moss Landing’s indoor setup, DTE’s plant will use smaller, separated battery units with fire suppression, thermal monitoring, and safer lithium iron phosphate cells. Fire Chief Keith Anderson says the design is a major improvement over the coal plant it’s replacing, but experts warn large-scale battery storage still poses fire risks. As Michigan transitions from fossil fuels, expect more scrutiny on how utilities prevent battery-related disasters. 📌 Source: The Detroit News
🚲 Detroit police ticket cyclists for legal road riding, sparking backlash Detroit police have been stopping and ticketing bicyclists for riding on the road—even though state law allows it. Cyclist Zac Young filmed his encounter with officers who wrongly claimed he had to use an unplowed bike lane, issuing him a citation. Other riders report similar harassment, highlighting police misinterpretation of traffic laws. While the city council promises better officer training, cycling advocates argue enforcement should focus on cars, not penalizing legal bike commuters. Meanwhile, Young is pushing for formal policy changes to prevent future stops. 📌 Source: BridgeDetroit
💰 House GOP budget forces choice: Cut Medicaid or abandon tax cuts House Republicans passed a budget resolution requiring $880 billion in cuts from the Energy and Commerce Committee, putting Medicaid directly in the crosshairs. While Medicare is politically untouchable, and non-health programs lack enough funds, GOP lawmakers are left with tough choices—either gut Medicaid or scrap their tax-cut extension plans. Proposed Medicaid cuts include work requirements, more frequent eligibility checks, and slashing federal funding for ACA expansion, potentially leaving millions uninsured. With few alternatives, healthcare programs remain the biggest—and likely—target for cuts. 📌 Source: The New York Times
⚡ AI boom threatens Michigan power bills—Consumers Energy seeks safeguards As tech giants eye Michigan for energy-hungry AI and cloud data centers, regulators and watchdogs worry the costs could fall on everyday consumers. Consumers Energy is proposing new rate policies—including long-term contracts and exit fees—to shield residents from paying for stranded power investments if data centers leave or scale back. But the industry is pushing back, calling the terms “discriminatory.” With data centers expected to triple power use nationwide, Michigan faces a balancing act between economic incentives and protecting ratepayers from skyrocketing costs. đź“Ś Source: MLive
🌎 NOAA braces for deep cuts as Trump targets climate research The Trump administration is slashing funding and tightening political control over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), threatening vital climate research and emergency forecasting. Staff report looming layoffs, halted inclusion programs, and demands to review documents referencing “climate change” or “diversity.” With a proposed one-third budget cut, experts warn the move could cripple essential weather prediction, disaster response, and ocean monitoring, affecting industries and public safety worldwide. NOAA scientists fear the administration aims to dismantle the agency entirely. 📌 Source: The Guardian
⚛️ Holtec plans first U.S. small modular reactors at Michigan’s Palisades plant Holtec International is set to make history by reviving Michigan’s shuttered Palisades nuclear plant and constructing the nation’s first small modular reactors (SMRs) on-site. Partnering with Hyundai Engineering, the company aims to build two 300-MW SMRs within five years, pending Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval. Unlike competitors, Holtec plans to manufacture, finance, and decommission the reactors in-house, streamlining the process. While the project has local political backing, it faces regulatory hurdles and opposition from anti-nuclear groups. 📌 Source: Canary Media
⚡ Ann Arbor delays DTE takeover study as doubts grow Ann Arbor officials postponed a $1.7 million study on a potential takeover of DTE Energy’s local grid, citing concerns over cost and feasibility. Some council members argue that the city already has enough data to know that municipalization would be prohibitively expensive, while others worry about shifting federal funding under the Trump administration. Advocates insist public power would lower rates long-term, but with estimates ranging from $281 million to $1.15 billion, officials remain divided on whether to proceed. A final decision on putting the issue before voters in 2026 is now uncertain. 📌 Source: MLive
THIS WEEK FROM PLANET DETROIT
VOICES: EPA office closures under Trump threaten Michigan’s environmental justice
The Trump administration’s latest move to shutter EPA offices addressing pollution in poor communities, roll back 31 key environmental regulations, and cancel $20 billion in climate grants threatens the health and safety of vulnerable populations and undermines efforts to combat environmental pollution.
Mike Rogers launches second bid for Michigan Senate – will Trump’s endorsement be enough?
Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers is launching another Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, vying for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters in 2026, following a narrow loss to Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin last year in a hotly contested open race.
Can companies outpace government rollbacks with green initiatives?
Companies are under pressure from customers, investors, employees, and local communities to reduce emissions and invest in sustainability, responding to the urgent call for better environmental stewardship.
