Climate
Mild winter helps Upper Peninsula deer find food, avoid predators
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Michigan’s mild winter could mean more deer in the Upper Peninsula this year. Experts say unusually warm weather could make more food sources available.
Echo
Michigan officials try to stop pharmaceuticals from getting into water
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Communities often struggle finding ways to dispose of household drugs. Michigan officials are funding community programs in an effort to keep the drugs out of water sources.
Echo
Report links Michigan deaths to coal-fired plants
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Coal-fired power plants in seven Michigan counties have been linked to hundreds of premature deaths in the state. But utilities warn that new federal regulations will lead to plant shutdowns and increased customer costs.
Wildlife
Scary invaders threaten Great Lakes, environmentalists warn
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By Jon Gaskell
Capital News Service
LANSING— Beware the Northern snakehead. Beware the inland silverside. And beware a host of other invasive species prompting a recent report recommending spending billions to separate the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes. The Asian carp is the media darling that gets all the attention. But according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there are 39 other “high-risk invasive species” that might migrate through Chicago waterways and have the potential to wreak ruin on native ecosystems.
Of these species, 10 could potentially cause huge environmental damage, the agency said. “Asian carp are sort of the canary in the coal mine,” said Jared Teutsch of the Chicago-based Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Echo
Pending Michigan bill seeks to curb septic waste seeping into land, water
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Michigan municipal waste facilities would be required to accept all septic waste produced within 25 miles under a bill awaiting action in the Senate. But not everyone thinks it’s a good thing.
Echo
Michigan lawmakers propose more public information about children’s products
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Children’s toys sometimes contain harmful chemicals.
Some Michigan lawmakers are trying to require that manufacturers and distributors let consumers know which toys may be toxic.
Echo
Michigan tax ruling could power wind energy projects
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A recent personal property tax ruling that will cost Michigan counties millions of dollars in revenue could prove vital for utility companies and energy manufacturers around the state.
Echo
Michigan counties could lose millions of dollars from wind farm tax change
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Michigan counties with wind farms stand to lose millions of dollars in property tax revenue due to a recent change in tax policy.
Echo
Michigan coal-fired plants to close; wind and air to step up
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Michigan’s Consumers Energy recently announced the closure of seven coal-fired power plants in Michigan and cancelled construction of another to focus on clean energy.
Echo
Burning trash powers Michigan cities, fuels debate
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While some don’t consider burning trash as green, Michigan is exploring waste-to-fuel plants as an alternative energy source.