Republished with permission from Detroit Urbanism. The City of Highland Park once operated its own independent municipal water supply, from June 1915 through December 2012. Toward the end of that period, while the city was under emergency state financial oversight, inspections had found that the facility had suffered from years of deferred maintenance and was therefore “temporarily” shut […]
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What you need to know this week – 1/27/23
The Gov’s words: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued her State of State address Wednesday, calling to “increase domestic clean energy production, like wind and solar, so we can produce more energy in America instead of overseas,” and adding that “we must pursue climate action while creating jobs, lowering costs, and becoming a hub of clean energy […]
Posted inAccountability
Study finds racial disparities in distribution of federal funds for water systems
by María Inés Zamudio, Center for Public Integrity January 20, 2023 The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden last November, is pouring billions of dollars into an upgrade of the country’s aging water infrastructure. But a new study has found that white communities have been favored in distribution of the funds, something that’s controlled […]
Posted inAccountability
Hantz tree farm falls short on solving east side blight
John Hantz acquired cheap swaths of land on the east side with plans for an urban tree farm. Neighbors say the wealthy entrepreneur has fallen short but operates under a special deal not afforded to residents. In the months before Detroit filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, John Hantz took control of almost […]
Posted inCommunity
The Detroit People’s Food Co-op is coming. Here’s what you need to know.
The co-op will occupy the first floor of a 34,000-square-foot newly constructed building at the corner of Woodward and Euclid in the North End neighborhood of Detroit.
Posted inGuides
Cheap sewer pipe repairs can push toxic fumes into homes and schools – here’s how to lower the risk
Andrew J. Whelton, Purdue University Across the U.S., children and adults are increasingly exposed to harmful chemicals from a source few people are even aware of. It begins on a street outside a home or school, where a worker in a manhole is repairing a sewer pipe. The contractor inserts a resin-soaked sleeve into the […]
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What you need to know this week – 1/20/23
Again, the Universal lead testing bill: Sen John Cherry (D-Flint) has reintroduced a bill requiring universal lead testing for all Michigan children into the state legislature Thursday. Cherry introduced a similar bill in 2022 that did not make it out of committee. “We’re thrilled that Senator Cherry has re-introduced the Universal Lead Testing bill, Ellen Vial, the engagement […]
Posted inSolutions
Experts say updating Michigan’s building code may be key for meeting climate goals. Here’s why.
New energy codes could make a big difference, but developers are wary. A new report asserts that Michigan could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy bills by updating its building energy standards. New standards could help the state meet emissions reduction targets set out in the MI Healthy Climate Plan and come at […]
Posted inAccountability
Michigan policy insights: Dem priorities, E-incentives, committee chairs announced
Here’s the latest from Lansing: Priorities: A few environmental priorities have been identified by the incoming Democratic leadership in Lansing. However, the focus seems to be on economic issues like repealing the state’s “Right-to-Work” law and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. But Democratic lawmakers have said they want to address water affordability in the […]
Posted inAccountability
Advocate warns a Camp Grayling expansion would be ‘incredibly unpopular’
A proposed 253 square-mile expansion of the Camp Grayling base in the northern Lower Peninsula has garnered significant pushback from environmental groups and at least one Michigan environmental official. Opponents are worried that insufficient thought and planning has gone into the proposal and that it could send additional pollution into the scenic Au Sable and […]