What we’re reading: Will ratepayers foot $6 billion bill for Trump’s coal crusade?

Don’t miss out!

Join more than 13,000 of your neighbors who already receive our informative, independent reporting on climate, health and the environment in their inbox each week.

Sign me up

🏭 Forced fossil fuel plant extensions could cost ratepayers $6 billion annually The Trump administration’s intervention to keep Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant open reflects broader efforts to reverse coal’s decline, despite economic headwinds favoring cheaper renewables and gas. While U.S. coal production may tick up slightly, longer-term trends favor plant retirements due to unfavorable economics. The administration has issued 71 pollution passes to coal facilities. The policies could cost ratepayers $6 billion annually if all fossil fuel plants scheduled to retire through 2028 are kept running, according to a coalition of environmental groups. 📌 Source: The Guardian

🛢️ Expert raises safety Concerns about Line 5 tunnel as public comment period ends Public comment ends Friday for Michigan’s environmental review of the Line 5 tunnel project. Geological engineer Brian O’Mara raised safety concerns about rock quality data. A 2020 study showed over 25% of samples were “very poor” quality, more like gravel than stable rock, he said. O’Mara warns of potential disasters including sinkholes or pipeline failures. Enbridge disputes allegations, cites Michigan Public Service Commission approval and adequate ground conditions, while state reviews don’t address tunneling operations. 📌 Source: WWTV

🏥 University of Michigan ends gender-affirming care for minors amid federal investigation The University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine announced Monday they will no longer provide gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapies, to individuals under 19 due to a federal investigation. The decision follows a June HHS investigation into a physician assistant’s firing over religious exemption requests and a July subpoena. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s restrictions on such care in August. 📌 Source: The Michigan Daily

🚰 Real-time water quality monitoring system launches in Southeast Michigan A real-time water quality monitoring system launched this week in southeast Michigan, stretching from Port Huron to Monroe along Lake Saint Clair. The upgraded 20-year-old system allows water treatment plant operators to continuously monitor for contamination signs like pH changes and shut down intakes when necessary. Data uploads instantly to the web for real-time sharing between plants. A $1.5 million state appropriation funds upgrades and maintenance through 2029, supporting 13 treatment plants serving half of Michigan’s population. 📌 Source: Michigan Public

🚜 Investigation into solar field pesticide exposure ends without confirming drift Twenty-three construction workers building DTE Energy’s largest solar park in Union City were allegedly sprayed by pesticide from a nearby crop duster in August 2023. Ten workers were hospitalized after reporting symptoms like nausea and dizziness while constructing the 851-acre solar field. The construction site was shut down for five days. Michigan investigators couldn’t confirm pesticide drift caused the illnesses, but fined Nick’s Flying Service $1,000 for spraying at improper wind speeds. 📌 Source: MLive

🍎 Century-old tradition continues as Michigan cider mills open for fall Michigan cider mills are opening for fall 2025, offering fresh cider, doughnuts, and family activities like pumpkin picking. Many mills began operations in late August and early September, with some already open year-round. Michigan expects to harvest 30 million bushels of apples this year from over 850 family-run farms covering 38,000 acres. The seasonal tradition dates back centuries, with many Michigan mills being family-owned operations continuing 19th-century legacies across communities statewide. 📌 Source: Detroit Free Press