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Democracy: Voting and the Environment in Metro Detroit

Detroit democracy

Planet Detroit brings you truthful, comprehensive, and intelligent reporting on local environmental and health issues you care about so you can participate in democracy with confidence.

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Michigan regulators blow past DTE’s data center deadline

Michigan regulators blow past DTE’s data center deadline

Michigan regulators announce virtual hearing Dec. 18 on a planned Saline Township data center’s wetland, stream, and floodplain impacts.

by Brian Allnutt December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

Planet Detroit’s environmental voter guide to the 2024 Michigan general election

Planet Detroit’s environmental voter guide to the 2024 Michigan general election

OUR COVERAGE

Demonstrators at DTE headquarters voice objections to 1.4 gigawatt data center deal

Demonstrators at DTE headquarters voice objections to 1.4 gigawatt data center deal

The protest outside DTE Energy headquarters precedes a virtual hearing by state regulators on a 1.4 gigawatt data center deal in Saline Township.

by Dustin Blitchok December 3, 2025December 3, 2025

DTE wants power deal for $7 billion data center approved by Dec. 5: ‘False sense of urgency’

DTE wants power deal for $7 billion data center approved by Dec. 5: ‘False sense of urgency’

by Brian Allnutt November 26, 2025December 3, 2025

Polluters seize opportunity when EPA enforcement stalls during shutdowns

Polluters seize opportunity when EPA enforcement stalls during shutdowns

by Grist November 12, 2025November 12, 2025

Voters choose next Detroit City Council: The latest results from 2025 election

Voters choose next Detroit City Council: The latest results from 2025 election

by BridgeDetroit and Detroit Free Press November 5, 2025November 5, 2025

Mary Sheffield elected Detroit’s first female mayor, calls for city ‘that works for everyone’

Mary Sheffield elected Detroit’s first female mayor, calls for city ‘that works for everyone’

by Associated Press November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

How government shutdown could add to strain on Michigan ratepayers

How government shutdown could add to strain on Michigan ratepayers

by Brian Allnutt October 30, 2025November 13, 2025

City must act against Aevitas oil treatment facility that caught fire: Detroit councilmember

City must act against Aevitas oil treatment facility that caught fire: Detroit councilmember

by Ethan Bakuli October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

Michigan utility customers need protection from data center costs, demonstrators say

Michigan utility customers need protection from data center costs, demonstrators say

by Brian Allnutt October 27, 2025October 27, 2025

Wyandotte officials vote against restoring fluoride to drinking water: ‘I have my reasons why’

Wyandotte officials vote against restoring fluoride to drinking water: ‘I have my reasons why’

by Brian Allnutt October 22, 2025October 22, 2025

Great Lakes, Medicare, Head Start: How federal shutdown impacts Michigan

Great Lakes, Medicare, Head Start: How federal shutdown impacts Michigan

by Bridge Michigan October 22, 2025October 22, 2025

Ypsilanti City Council calls for halt to University of Michigan data center project

Ypsilanti City Council calls for halt to University of Michigan data center project

by Brian Allnutt October 21, 2025October 21, 2025

Residents, dentists urge Wyandotte commission to restore water fluoridation

Residents, dentists urge Wyandotte commission to restore water fluoridation

by Brian Allnutt October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

GUIDE: What is the Michigan Public Service Commission and what does it do?

GUIDE: What is the Michigan Public Service Commission and what does it do?

by Jenny Sherman October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

Detroit City Council backs repeal of Michigan’s ban-on-bans for plastic bags

Detroit City Council backs repeal of Michigan’s ban-on-bans for plastic bags

by Brian Allnutt October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

Whitmer signs Michigan’s $81 billion budget: More road funds, but at what cost?

Whitmer signs Michigan’s $81 billion budget: More road funds, but at what cost?

by Bridge Michigan October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

Michigan budget bills dial back GOP environmental cuts as shutdown deadline approaches

Michigan budget bills dial back GOP environmental cuts as shutdown deadline approaches

by Brian Allnutt October 7, 2025October 10, 2025

Detroit cracks down on Southwest truck traffic with new restrictions: Activist ‘beyond thrilled’

Detroit cracks down on Southwest truck traffic with new restrictions: Activist ‘beyond thrilled’

by Isabelle Tavares October 1, 2025October 2, 2025

House bill would expand FEMA coverage for flooded, moldy Michigan basements: ‘There needs to be some equity’

House bill would expand FEMA coverage for flooded, moldy Michigan basements: ‘There needs to be some equity’

by Ethan Bakuli September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

Washtenaw communities fight data center developments: ‘Not soft touches’

Washtenaw communities fight data center developments: ‘Not soft touches’

by Brian Allnutt September 24, 2025October 28, 2025

Belle Isle could shut down without Lansing budget deal: ‘That would be terrible’

Belle Isle could shut down without Lansing budget deal: ‘That would be terrible’

by Dustin Blitchok September 20, 2025September 20, 2025

Whitmer calls on Michigan lawmakers to finish budget as shutdown creeps closer

Whitmer calls on Michigan lawmakers to finish budget as shutdown creeps closer

by Associated Press September 17, 2025September 17, 2025

Saline Township denies data center rezoning request: ‘Self-imposed environmental catastrophe’

Saline Township denies data center rezoning request: ‘Self-imposed environmental catastrophe’

by Brian Allnutt September 11, 2025September 11, 2025

Skyrocketing energy bills: Can Michigan lawmakers protect DTE, Consumers ratepayers?

Skyrocketing energy bills: Can Michigan lawmakers protect DTE, Consumers ratepayers?

by Michigan Advance September 10, 2025September 10, 2025

Public power push: Will Ann Arbor say goodbye to DTE?

Public power push: Will Ann Arbor say goodbye to DTE?

by Michigan Advance September 4, 2025September 4, 2025

Environmentalists criticize Michigan House budget’s $50 million allocation for UP copper mine

Environmentalists criticize Michigan House budget’s $50 million allocation for UP copper mine

by Michigan Advance September 3, 2025September 3, 2025

Can 957 signatures halt a $1 billion data center in Augusta Township?

Can 957 signatures halt a $1 billion data center in Augusta Township?

by Brian Allnutt August 29, 2025August 29, 2025

House GOP budget slashes Michigan’s water, health care spending: Whitmer calls for ‘serious and fast negotiations’

House GOP budget slashes Michigan’s water, health care spending: Whitmer calls for ‘serious and fast negotiations’

by Brian Allnutt August 28, 2025August 28, 2025

With Wayne Disposal expansion pending, Michigan Senate passes hazardous waste bills

With Wayne Disposal expansion pending, Michigan Senate passes hazardous waste bills

by Bridge Michigan August 27, 2025August 27, 2025

Detroit City Football Club kickstarts community benefits process for $150 million stadium project

Detroit City Football Club kickstarts community benefits process for $150 million stadium project

by Erica Hobbs August 25, 2025August 25, 2025

Ballot drive to end DTE political contributions clears state canvassers board

Ballot drive to end DTE political contributions clears state canvassers board

by Michigan Advance August 25, 2025August 25, 2025

University of Michigan looks at alternative site for $1.2 billion data center as Ypsilanti Township pushes back

University of Michigan looks at alternative site for $1.2 billion data center as Ypsilanti Township pushes back

by Brian Allnutt August 21, 2025August 22, 2025

Lawmakers urge Whitmer to act on hazardous waste as Wayne Disposal landfill expansion nears approval

Lawmakers urge Whitmer to act on hazardous waste as Wayne Disposal landfill expansion nears approval

by Brian Allnutt August 20, 2025August 20, 2025

Group behind effort to ban DTE, Consumers political spending lays groundwork

Group behind effort to ban DTE, Consumers political spending lays groundwork

by Brian Allnutt August 18, 2025August 18, 2025

Ballot drive kicks off to put Washtenaw County data center decision in hands of voters

Ballot drive kicks off to put Washtenaw County data center decision in hands of voters

by Brian Allnutt August 14, 2025August 14, 2025

EPA investigates Detroit drinking water expert’s petition signature: Are scientists being silenced?

EPA investigates Detroit drinking water expert’s petition signature: Are scientists being silenced?

by Leah Samuel August 13, 2025August 14, 2025

Canadian fire official says more international help needed to fight wildfires Macomb politician calls ‘uncontrolled’

Canadian fire official says more international help needed to fight wildfires Macomb politician calls ‘uncontrolled’

by Ethan Bakuli August 13, 2025August 13, 2025

Judge blocks shipment of Manhattan Project radioactive waste to Wayne County landfill

Judge blocks shipment of Manhattan Project radioactive waste to Wayne County landfill

by Brian Allnutt August 7, 2025August 7, 2025

Mary Sheffield, Solomon Kinloch emerge winners in Detroit mayoral primary

Mary Sheffield, Solomon Kinloch emerge winners in Detroit mayoral primary

by Dustin Blitchok August 5, 2025August 6, 2025

Annexation is Rogelio Landin’s central strategy in Detroit mayoral write-in campaign: ‘More is more’

Annexation is Rogelio Landin’s central strategy in Detroit mayoral write-in campaign: ‘More is more’

by Dustin Blitchok August 5, 2025August 5, 2025

Attorney Todd Perkins says Detroit will be ‘environmentally conscious’ if he’s mayor

Attorney Todd Perkins says Detroit will be ‘environmentally conscious’ if he’s mayor

by Dustin Blitchok August 5, 2025August 5, 2025

Detroit mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow on balancing development, environment: ‘Before they get, they have to give’

Detroit mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow on balancing development, environment: ‘Before they get, they have to give’

by Dustin Blitchok August 5, 2025August 5, 2025

Lifelong Detroiter DaNetta Simpson’s priority in mayoral campaign? ‘Neighborhoods.’

Lifelong Detroiter DaNetta Simpson’s priority in mayoral campaign? ‘Neighborhoods.’

by Dustin Blitchok August 4, 2025August 4, 2025

Fred Durhal III on fixing Detroit’s flooding problem: ‘I’ll be very aggressive’

Fred Durhal III on fixing Detroit’s flooding problem: ‘I’ll be very aggressive’

by Dustin Blitchok August 4, 2025August 4, 2025

‘Detroit needs to take its water back’: Mayoral candidate Joel Haashiim on utility shutoffs

‘Detroit needs to take its water back’: Mayoral candidate Joel Haashiim on utility shutoffs

by Dustin Blitchok August 3, 2025August 3, 2025

Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins says she’ll work for city’s most vulnerable

Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins says she’ll work for city’s most vulnerable

by Dustin Blitchok August 1, 2025August 3, 2025

Michigan utility commissioner appointment sparks environmental justice concerns

Michigan utility commissioner appointment sparks environmental justice concerns

by Brian Allnutt July 23, 2025July 23, 2025

Southwest Detroit mayoral forum highlights public health, immigration

Southwest Detroit mayoral forum highlights public health, immigration

by Brian Allnutt July 22, 2025July 22, 2025

Trump’s Medicaid cuts put estimated 200,000 Michiganders at risk of losing coverage

Trump’s Medicaid cuts put estimated 200,000 Michiganders at risk of losing coverage

by Ethan Bakuli July 21, 2025July 21, 2025

How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will increase Michigan power costs

How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will increase Michigan power costs

by Brian Allnutt July 10, 2025July 10, 2025