Overview:
- Ford is pivoting battery manufacturing capacity originally planned for large electric vehicles into a new battery storage business targeting data centers and grid customers.
- Consumers Energy filed for a $240 million natural gas rate increase with Michigan officials, just three months after receiving approval for a $157 million hike.
- An Oakland County child was diagnosed with measles, the county's second case in 2025.
🔋 Ford shifts EV battery plans to target data centers, grid storage market Ford is pivoting battery manufacturing capacity originally planned for large electric vehicles into a new battery storage business targeting data centers and grid customers. The automaker will invest $2 billion over two years to produce lithium iron phosphate batteries, shipping systems starting in 2027 with 20GWh annual capacity. Ford will repurpose its Kentucky factory and adjust Michigan’s BlueOval Battery Park to produce batteries for commercial grid customers, data centers, and residential energy storage solutions. 📌 Source: TechCrunch
⚡ Ford takes $19.5 billion charge as it abandons large EV plans Ford will take $19.5 billion in special charges as it restructures away from electric vehicles toward profitability by 2029. The automaker ended F-150 Lightning production and canceled electric truck and van plans. Ford is dissolving its SK On battery joint venture, laying off 1,600 Kentucky workers while creating 2,100 jobs producing energy storage systems for data centers and utilities. Ford expects 50% of global volume will be hybrids, extended-range EVs, or fully electric by 2030. 📌 Source: The Detroit News
💰 Consumers Energy seeks $240 million natural gas rate hike three months after last increase Consumers Energy filed for a $240 million natural gas rate increase with Michigan officials, just three months after receiving approval for a $157 million hike. The proposed increase would raise rates an average 8% for single-family homes for the fiscal year ending October 2027. The company cites revenue deficiency concerns and operational costs. Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office will intervene in the request. A public hearing in Lansing will be scheduled as part of the approval process. 📌 Source: CBS Detroit
🖋️ Senate passes $33.9 million settlement for Keweenaw Bay Indian Community land claims The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act, providing $33.9 million in federal compensation for land illegally taken 150 years ago. Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin sponsored the bill, with Congressman Jack Bergman sponsoring the House companion. The tribe’s L’Anse Reservation land was seized despite 1842 and 1854 treaties. The settlement guarantees clear property titles for current owners and restricts tribal use of funds from gaming land purchases. 📌 Source: MLive
🚰 Speaker Hall declares Flint emergency over, cuts funding for lead-poisoned children Michigan House Republicans blocked $8.3 million in funding for Flint water crisis support services, with Speaker Matt Hall declaring the emergency over. The rejected funding includes $6.7 million for student services like psychologists and counselors, and $1.6 million for city residents. Democratic Senator John Cherry criticized the move as “actively attacking” constituents, while Flint representatives emphasized ongoing lead exposure impacts. The funding was part of $645 million in programs Republicans rejected from converting to work projects status. 📌 Source: The Detroit News
🦠 Oakland County Health Division urges vaccination after child’s measles diagnosis An Oakland County child was diagnosed with measles, the county’s second case in 2025, with possible exposure at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital’s emergency department Dec. 7 between 7:20 p.m.-11:10 p.m. Michigan has reported 30 measles cases across 10 counties this year, with 28 cases involving unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status individuals. Health officials emphasize MMR vaccination as the most effective prevention tool. Symptoms typically appear seven to 144 days after exposure but can emerge up to 21 days later. 📌 Source: Detroit Free Press