Air

Once an autumn tradition, leaf-burning now under fire

By |

(MI) The Detroit News – It used to be a regular part of fall weekends all over Michigan:  a yard full of leaves raked into a pile and burned, creating that distinctive smell that became an integral part of the season. But these days, one man’s nostalgia-inducing aroma is another’s air pollution. In many places, leaf-burning isn’t welcomed with open arms or even welcomed at all. Many older inner-ring communities have banned the practice outright. Other communities that have seen population growth in recent decades have found that closer quarters and leaf-burning don’t mix.

Echo

Erie and Ottawa counties to benefit from lake funding

By |

(OH) Sandusky Register – Erie and Ottawa counties are slated to receive millions of dollars of new federal funds from a measure just signed by President Barack Obama that seeks to restore the health of the Great Lakes. Obama signed the $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative measure Oct. 30. More

Energy

Power plan would promote renewable energy

By |

By Emily Lawler
Nov. 8, 2009

LANSING, Mich. — Turning sunshine into money isn’t a new concept, but it may become a more profitable one in Michigan. A proposed “feed-in tariff” plan would allow individuals and businesses to generate renewable power and sell it to utility companies with a guaranteed “reasonable profit” of 10 to 30 percent. “It ensures you’re going to cover your cost and not lose money,” said Stanley Pruss, director of the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

Waste

Michigan landfill fees lowest in Great Lakes; state lawmakers propose hike to boost recycling

By |

By Hyonhee Shin
Nov. 7, 2009

LANSING — Some Michigan lawmakers are seeking an increase in solid waste disposal fees to help reduce landfills and incineration. The current fee is 21 cents per ton. Most other Great Lakes states charge more — 50 cents in Indiana, $2.22 in Illinois, $4.75 in Ohio, $7.25 in Pennsylvania and $13 in Wisconsin, the highest in the nation. A proposal by state Rep. Daniel Scripps, D-Leland, would establish a $7.50 per ton state tipping fee on solid waste dumped at Michigan landfills and municipal incinerators.

Echo

Film on invasive species premieres in Grand Rapids

By |

(MI) The Detroit News – The film, titled “Lake Invaders: The Fight for Lake Huron,” was produced by faculty and students at Grand Valley State University in Allendale. A screening is scheduled tonight at the DeVos Center. The film was two years in the making and explores the threat invasive species have posed to the lake. It features state Department of Natural Resourcesnstaff from Alpena and the DNR’s Chinook research vessel. More

Echo

Ottawa River dredging delayed again

By |

(OH) Toledo Blade – Plans to start a $43 million environmental restoration project along the Ottawa River have hit another scheduling snag, though the federal official in charge of the unprecedented two-year project said it could get under way later this month.  

Scott Cieniawski, an environmental engineer in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regional office in Chicago, said the agency and seven local businesses known as the Ottawa River Group are finalizing details for subcontracts required before construction may begin. More

Echo

Climate change study to help cherry growers assess global supply, markets and competitors

By |

By Steve Davy
Nov. 6, 2009

Despite the global nature of modern industries there has never been a study measuring the impact of climate change across an industry. Until now. The National Science Foundation recently awarded a $1.5 million grant to an international research team to study climate change and the tart cherry industry. The aim of the study is to provide tart cherry farmers with a global perspective on their industry.

Echo

U.S. Steel offers details on wastewater permit

By |

(IN) The Post-Tribune – Several residents peppered U.S. Steel representatives with questions regarding the company’s 2009 draft wastewater permit for Gary Works on Wednesday night at Indiana University Northwest. Efforts to curb mercury and cyanide, and the company’s wastewater treatment plan were just some of the topics discussed by about a dozen people in attendance. Doreen Carey, environmental affairs director for the city of Gary, said she and other environmental groups were concerned about free cyanide levels and lengthy compliance periods in the previous draft. More

Echo

Maintenance on carp barrier at standstill

By |

(WI) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – At the same time nearly a half billion dollars is headed toward the Great Lakes as part of President Barack Obama’s ambitious ecosystem restoration program, nobody at the moment appears to have the dollars to allow the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers to do regular maintenance on the new $9 million Asian carp barrier. That maintenance is needed about every six months and it requires shutting down the barrier for a day or two. The barrier, which is about 20 miles downstream from Lake Michigan on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, was first turned on in April. More