Michigan environmental news: Consumers Energy dam sale faces hard questions from state panel

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🗞️ Who bears the risk? Michigan natural resources commissioners push back on Consumers Energy dam sale plan Michigan Natural Resources Commissioners sharply questioned Consumers Energy and Confluence Hydro executives Wednesday over the proposed sale of 13 hydropower dams for $1 each. Commissioners challenged how Confluence could profit from dams Consumers considers financially unviable, and raised concerns about reduced state oversight if the sale proceeds. Commissioners were set to vote on a resolution opposing the sale, while the Michigan Public Service Commission will make the final decision later this year. 📌 Source: The Detroit News

🗞️ Michigan measles cases prompt accelerated vaccine recommendation for thousands of infants Michigan health officials urge early MMR vaccination for infants ages 6–11 months in seven southeastern counties — Washtenaw, Monroe, Wayne, Oakland, Jackson, Livingston, and Lenawee — as measles spreads beyond an initial Washtenaw County outbreak. Eight cases have been confirmed statewide this year, with possible community spread now detected in Monroe County. The advisory runs through May 16. Nationally, 1,671 confirmed cases have been reported across 33 states in 2026. 📌 Source: Detroit Free Press

🗞️ Climate rollback supporters fear losing EPA’s Zeldin to attorney general post At the Heartland Institute’s annual conference near the White House, climate contrarians rallied around EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging President Donald Trump to keep him at the agency rather than elevate him to attorney general. Zeldin, the conference’s highest-ranking administration official ever, received a standing ovation after pledging to reject mainstream climate science. Supporters credit him with dismantling Biden-era climate regulations, cutting grants, and rolling back the 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases. 📌 Source: Politico

🗞️ Science or politics? CDC leader sits on COVID vaccine effectiveness data The acting head of the CDC delayed publication of a research report showing COVID vaccines reduced hospitalizations and emergency visits by roughly 50% last winter, objecting to the study’s observational methodology. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who also directs the NIH, held the report after it was scheduled for March 19 publication in the CDC’s flagship journal. Former CDC officials called the intervention highly unusual, while a Health Department spokesman called the review routine. 📌 Source: The New York Times

🗞️ Michigan DNR Campgrounds return with new amenities for summer 2026 Twelve Michigan state campgrounds are reopening this summer after undergoing improvements ranging from electrical upgrades to new shower buildings and playgrounds. Sites span the state from Brighton Recreation Area to Fort Wilkins Historic State Park in the Upper Peninsula, with reopening dates between May and late July 2026. Campers should check Michigan.gov/DNRClosures for updated timelines, as construction schedules may shift due to weather or material delays. 📌 Source: MLive

🗞️ Water firm endangered mobile home residents with fake safety data: AG Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged water services provider Douglas Environmental and its president, Brian Powell, with forgery and other crimes for allegedly falsifying water safety and discharge tests at mobile home communities across the state. The company faces six forgery counts and one criminal enterprise charge, while Powell faces additional safe drinking water violations. Authorities say data discrepancies uncovered by state environmental officials triggered the investigation, though regulators say the public was not harmed. 📌 Source: CBS News