Overview:
- Great Lakes Water Authority report says Michigan needs up to $85 billion over 20 years to repair aging water and wastewater pipes.
- DTE Energy's 20-year plan proposes two natural gas plants, a nuclear upgrade, and 15 gigawatts of renewable energy while closing its last coal plants by 2032.
- Michigan has about 350 known PFAS-contaminated sites, with drinking water testing improving but actual cleanup lagging behind.
➡️ After wave of main breaks, GLWA urges statewide water funding plan Michigan may need up to $85 billion over 20 years for water and wastewater infrastructure, according to a Sept. 23 report commissioned by the Great Lakes Water Authority, per The Detroit News. The report urges a state funding strategy. Following a string of damaging main breaks in Novi, Farmington Hills, Detroit, and elsewhere, the report said much of the state’s aging pipe system is nearing or past its expected lifespan. The options being floated include voter-approved state bonds, pay-as-you-go funding, and sales tax expansion. 📌 Source: The Detroit News
➡️ DTE seeks gas plants in Livingston, Monroe counties, Fermi 2 upgrade DTE Energy’s 20-year electricity plan, which the utility said it would file Thursday with Michigan regulators, proposes two gas plants in Livingston and Monroe counties totaling 2.1 gigawatts and a 177-megawatt upgrade at its Fermi 2 nuclear plant, Crain’s Detroit reports. The utility would close its last coal units by 2032 and add 15 gigawatts of renewables, lifting their share of its mix to 53% by 2046. DTE expects carbon emissions to fall 84% while serving rising demand, including data centers. 📌 Source: Crain’s Detroit Business
➡️ Michigan COVID-19 levels hit highest point since March Wastewater testing shows COVID-19 infections climbing in Michigan, one of at least 37 states seeing outbreaks, with statewide levels at their highest since March, the Detroit Free Press reports. Ann Arbor, Warren and Mount Pleasant registered high readings. A Tulane researcher accuses the CDC of reclassifying its wastewater categories so spread appears milder than it is. Physician groups, departing from shifting federal guidance, urge annual shots for all adults and two doses for those 65 and older. Source: Detroit Free Press
➡️ Testing has curbed PFAS exposure in Michigan, but remediation lags Michigan has about 350 known PFAS-contaminated sites exceeding state groundwater cleanup standards, plus roughly 40 areas under investigation where the source is unclear, MLive reporter Garrett Ellison told Michigan Public’s Stateside during PFAS Awareness Week. Statewide testing of drinking water prompted 2020 rules requiring public water systems to test and filter for the chemicals, but actual site cleanup has lagged. Ellison credited persistent residents, including a Rockford piano teacher, with pushing reluctant state regulators to act. 📌 Source: Michigan Public
➡️ Hikers’ tip leads to rescue of 27 lake sturgeon in Ontonagon County Michigan DNR crews, working with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Upper Peninsula Power Company, relocated 27 threatened lake sturgeon trapped in shrinking, isolated pools of the West Branch Ontonagon River, WXYZ-TV reports. Hikers spotted three fish Aug. 23, prompting three rescue trips, with the utility releasing dam water to sustain survivors between efforts. The largest fish measured 55 inches. The DNR is studying flow and temperature data to keep sturgeon from getting stranded again. 📌 Source: WXYZ-TV
➡️ El Niño likely to bring milder, less snowy start to Michigan winter NOAA’s latest outlook for October through December leans warm for Michigan, giving the state a 45% chance of above-normal temperatures and a 22% chance of running colder, MLive reports. A strong El Niño typically pushes mild Pacific air eastward starting in December, likely limiting early-season snow. A slight dry signal appears over northeast Lower Michigan and the eastern U.P. Torregrossa notes that an active southern storm track could occasionally drift north, bringing some major storms. 📌 Source: MLive
