Overview:
-$11.3 million in federal funding for sewer upgrades in flood-prone Jefferson Chalmers is on hold.
-Huron-Clinton Metroparks conducts a community survey for input on programs, amenities, and future park priorities.
-DTE Energy says the smart grid devices it's installing have prevented more than 16,000 outages in 2025.
🚧 Federal grant for Jefferson Chalmers sewers on pause An $11.3 million federal grant to enlarge sewers in Detroit’s Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood is paused after the Trump administration cut FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program in April. The flood-prone area experiences sewage backups during heavy rainfall. Twenty Democratic states, including Michigan, sued over the program’s termination, resulting in a federal injunction temporarily protecting existing funds while legal proceedings continue. 📌 Source: The Detroit News
🏖️ Huron-Clinton Metroparks seeks public input on future park priorities Huron-Clinton Metroparks is conducting a community survey to gather input on programs, amenities, and future park priorities. The survey aims to measure progress toward strategic plans and inform park master plan updates. Previous public feedback led to amenities like Kensington’s accessible Maple Beach playground and Stony Creek’s off-leash dog park. CEO Amy McMillan emphasizes that community input drives all Metroparks programs and amenities for over 7 million annual visitors. 📌 Source: The Macomb Daily
🩺 Medicare pilot would pay companies to deny claims using AI Medicare plans to launch a pilot program in six states using AI and private companies to review certain medical procedures through prior authorization, similar to Medicare Advantage practices. The program targets about a dozen costly procedures of questionable benefit, with companies paid based on savings from denials. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and medical groups, worry this introduces Medicare Advantage’s most unpopular practices into traditional Medicare, potentially privatizing the system. 📌 Source: The New York Times
🗳️ Michigan solar expansion stymied by utility campaign contributions: critics
A Michigan ballot initiative targets utility political donations that advocates say block solar energy expansion. DTE Energy donated to 138 of 148 legislators in 2022, and organizers of the ballot initiative say these donations help kill community solar legislation despite bipartisan support. Critics argue utilities fight third-party solar generation to protect market share while making dubious claims. Michigan’s fossil fuel-heavy grid ranks worst in Midwest for reliability, while Iowa’s 68% renewable grid performs significantly better on outages. 📌 Source: WMUK
💡 DTE’s $10 billion grid automation plan targets 30% outage reduction DTE Energy is installing smart grid devices that it says have prevented over 16,000 customer outages this year. The utility aims to fully automate its grid by 2029, with crews installing more than 30 devices weekly through year-end. The technology reroutes power to minimize outages, identifies damaged areas, and improves safety by de-energizing downed lines. This is part of DTE’s $10 billion plan to reduce outages by 30% and cut restoration time in half. 📌 Source: WXYZ
🚗 Grand Rapids advocates fight EPA plan to rescind vehicle emissions finding Grand Rapids environmental advocates oppose the EPA’s effort to rescind Obama-era findings that vehicle emissions threaten public health. The “endangerment finding” enables emissions regulations and standards. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says deregulation would save Americans $54 billion annually, but advocates worry about losing environmental protections. Local officials say the move contradicts Grand Rapids’ climate action efforts, particularly as communities of color face disproportionate pollution burdens. 📌 Source: Michigan Public