Environmental advocates in Michigan are raising alarms over proposed legislation that could deregulate digestate, a biogas byproduct, citing risks of groundwater contamination and legal violations.
Posted inVoices
VOICES: Michigan is the first state to require water filters in schools. Let’s make sure it’s done right.
Michigan leads the nation by mandating lead-removing filters in school drinking water, empowering families to scrutinize their school’s Drinking Water Management Plan.
Posted inNews
Allergies, meet climate change: ‘April was a pretty bad month’
Detroiters with allergies are feeling the impact of climate change, as the city’s pollen season has grown by 31 days since 1970, exacerbating allergy symptoms. Remedies favored by allergists include closing windows; showering and changing clothes after outdoor activities; and using nasal sprays and eye drops.
Posted inNews
Detroiters face DTE shutoffs as funding for utility assistance runs out, rates go up
In Detroit, high utility bills and scarce assistance have left residents like Tanisha Humphrey grappling with disconnections. DTE Energy reports shutting off 211,647 customers for nonpayment last year.
Posted inCommunity
Café y Chisme No. 6: Samantha Cerwin’s Detroit fashion startup has sustainable twist
Samantha Cerwin, founder of BeReworn, launched a sustainable fashion platform with support from TechTown and Venture 313 that fosters community connections through events and forums.
Posted inCommunity
Balancing safety and community in Southwest Detroit: Lessons from Clark Park’s revitalization
In Southwest Detroit, Clark Park stands as a testament to community resilience, evolving from a site of drug activity and violence into a vibrant neighborhood hub. This transformation, driven by grassroots initiatives and city collaborations, highlights the power of community-centered policing, though it sparks debate over police roles in public spaces.
Posted inNews
What we’re reading: Detroit is sinking
Detroit ranks in the top 10 U.S. cities facing land subsidence, impacting infrastructure planning. A scrapyard fire in Southwest Detroit spread smoke across Wayne County. And a GOP tax bill endangers $522 billion in clean energy projects, many in Republican districts, raising concerns about future investments and emissions.
Posted inNews
State regulator asks EPA to redesignate Wayne County’s compliance with sulfur dioxide standards
The EPA will review the request and decide whether it meets Clean Air Act requirements, and the federal agency has 18 months to approve or deny the request
Posted inNews
Why Detroit’s energy grid still fails its poorest residents
In Detroit, faith leaders are pushing for the release of $2 million in EPA grants to establish resilience hubs with renewable energy, a crucial step for communities left vulnerable by a funding freeze under the Trump administration.
Posted inNews
EPA weakens PFAS limits in drinking water: Detroit water expert says rollback defies federal law
The EPA’s plan to weaken limits on certain PFAS, or forever chemicals, in drinking water raises concerns about health risks.