🔧 Southwest Detroit water main repair complete, pipe not yet back in service The Great Lakes Water Authority said Wednesday that it has completed repairs on the 54-inch water transmission main that ruptured Feb. 17 in southwest Detroit, causing extensive flooding. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has also finished repairing a six-inch water main and cleared debris from sewers in the affected area. DTE Energy is scheduled to repair a gas main during the week of March 10. GLWA teams are assessing the next steps to restore the 54-inch main to full service. 📌 Source: WXYZ
🚗 Trump delays auto tariffs for 1 month in reprieve for industry President Donald Trump announced a one-month delay Wednesday of 25% tariffs on automobiles imported from Canada and Mexico. The decision follows extensive lobbying from major automakers concerned about potential disruptions to supply chains and increased vehicle prices. This temporary reprieve provides the industry additional time to adjust to the new trade policies. The tariffs, initially imposed to pressure Canada and Mexico into stricter enforcement against fentanyl trafficking, have faced criticism from industry leaders and officials worried about potential economic repercussions. 📌 Source: CNN
🏭 Dearborn industrial waste processor to reduce air pollution Pro-V Enterprises, an industrial waste processing company in Dearborn, Michigan, has agreed to invest up to $4 million in operational improvements to reduce air pollution. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by the city in April 2023, alleging violations of ordinances concerning fugitive dust emissions. The enhancements include planting 91 evergreen trees, paving waste storage areas, and upgrading the stormwater management system, all aimed at mitigating airborne particulate matter. Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud emphasized the city’s commitment to holding corporations accountable for environmental impacts. 📌 Source: Patch
🚰 Highland Park under boil water advisory Highland Park, Michigan, issued a boil water advisory Tuesday for all residents after a significant drop in water pressure. The city said in a statement that it is unsure of the cause of the low water pressure, but believes it was impacted by changes in the Great Lakes Water Authority system. The city said it anticipates resolving the problem within 72 hours. Residents are urged to boil water for at least 1 minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. The advisory will remain in effect until water quality tests confirm safety. 📌 Source: CBS Detroit
🌲 Trump’s Forest Service layoffs reach Michigan The Trump administration’s budget cuts have led to layoffs in Michigan’s Huron-Manistee National Forests. Among those impacted is Marie Richards, a tribal relations specialist, as part of broader staffing reductions that critics fear could harm forest management and conservation efforts. The cuts are part of a national downsizing that saw 3,400 employees let go, raising concerns about the long-term impacts on Michigan’s forests and environmental oversight. 📌 Source: Bridge Michigan
🚜 Agriculture Department cuts ripple across Michigan farms, federal jobs, environmental projects The Trump administration’s funding cuts and grant freezes at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have disrupted Michigan’s agricultural and conservation initiatives. Farmers face delays in reimbursements for soil-preserving cover crops, while a $25 million farmland protection contract in southern Michigan is uncertain. Staff layoffs, including a USDA engineer in west Michigan, hinder essential services like designing conservation structures. Tree-planting projects statewide are on hold, and funding for pest management programs is delayed, raising concerns about long-term environmental and agricultural impacts. 📌 Source: The Detroit News
💡 Study of Ann Arbor municipal utility fails to clear council vote The Ann Arbor City Council tied 5-5 in a vote on a $1.7 million feasibility study for establishing a municipal utility, effectively rejecting it. The study aimed to assess the value of DTE Energy’s electric infrastructure. Council member Dharma Akmon expressed concerns about acquiring a deteriorating system requiring significant upgrades. Members of Ann Arbor for Public Power, who rallied in support of the study, were reportedly surprised over the outcome. The group plans to pursue a ballot initiative for the municipal utility in November 2026. 📌 Source: WEMU
THIS WEEK FROM PLANET DETROIT
Ypsilanti Township residents speak out against University of Michigan’s ‘biggest, baddest’ data center
In Ypsilanti Township, residents are sounding alarms over a $1.2 billion data center project by the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory, citing fears of rising utility costs, environmental harm, and the advancement of surveillance technologies.
Metro Detroit’s refilleries offer easy eco-swaps for daily essentials
In Metro Detroit, refilleries like Refill Emporium, 86 Plastic Co, and MI-Fillosophy are empowering consumers to embrace sustainability. By offering eco-friendly, locally sourced products, these stores educate and enable individuals to make simple, impactful changes in their daily lives.
What we’re reading: Nessel, environmentalists challenge Trump order on Michigan coal plant
A tornado in Fraser marks Michigan’s 29th of the year, and the first sighting of the invasive Asian longhorned tick is made in the state, raising alarms over potential disease spread.
