Land

Steam railroad takes passengers on journey through time

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By Donté Smith

As the crisp autumn air settles over Michigan, the gentle chug of steam engines echoes through Coldwater. The Little River Railroad, a historic steam railway, invites passengers to step back in time for a ride filled with charm and nostalgia. It’s one of 55 steam locomotives in the state, 15 of them still operational, according to Steam Locomotive Information. Among their other locations are Owosso, Benton Harbor, Buckley and Monroe, Dearborn, Lake Linden and Skandia. Heather Kaiser, a stoker for the Little River Railroad, shared the story of the locomotives that power these rides.

Transportation

Automated shuttles provide new mobility options, but coverage concerns remain

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By Donté Smith

Capital News Service

Detroit’s streets are becoming a testing ground for future transportation, with automated shuttles like Accessibili-D and Connect AV offering mobility solutions. These shuttles, which started operating this year, help residents, particularly those with limited transportation, access essential destinations such as doctors’ offices and grocery stores. The Connect AV shuttle provides fully electric, scheduled autonomous transportation along a 10.8-mile route connecting Corktown, downtown Detroit and the East Jefferson Riverfront. Operating on weekdays with 10-15 minute intervals during peak hours, the service is free. In comparison, Accessibili-D is tailored for older adults and people with disabilities, offering free on-demand rides to vital locations such as medical facilities.

Water

Residents in Monroe County take part in outdoor activities along the River Raisin

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Monroe is split by the River Raisin, which runs directly into Lake Erie. The city’s residents are not shy about taking advantage of its proximity to the water, even if it means fishing in the drainage canal of a power plant. Fishers, young and old, gather at the Monroe fishing site near the DTE Energy Monroe power plant to snag a bite. Fish like the yellow perch and crappie are listed as safe to eat but other fish like carp can contain higher amounts of chemicals and fishers are urged not to consume them too often. Further upstream the River Raisin, the Old Mill Museum invites visitors to learn about its history serving as a hydroelectric power plant and even a Ford factory.

Nearshore

Michigan pushes to plug orphan oil wells

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By Donté Smith

Capital News Service

Michigan’s oil industry may not be front and center, but it remains active with over 9,300 wells across the state. The U.S. Energy Information Administration ranks Michigan 18th in the nation in crude oil production. In June 2024, Michigan wells produced 211,000 barrels of crude oil — around 8.8 million gallons, the agency said. Otsego County leads the state in production, followed closely by Jackson, Kalkaska and Manistee counties. However, there’s a growing environmental concern linked to the industry: Michigan has about 230 orphan wells abandoned by their original operators or owners without being properly plugged.

Energy

Electric bus rollout sparks optimism among schools

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By Donté Smith
Capital News Service

“We’re rolling with the changes,” said Kathy Kochanski, the transportation coordinator for Troy Public Schools, as more school districts across Michigan adopt electric buses to reduce emissions and promote cleaner energy. The Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, recently announced the recipients of Clean Bus Energy grants. The initiative will support 29 districts, from Alpena to Grand Rapids, in purchasing 114 “clean” buses, primarily electric, with the possibility of including propane and natural gas models. “Things are still up in the air because it was announced recently, but we’re excited,” Kochanski said. An analysis by the Electric School Bus Initiative indicates that the total cost of ownership for electric school buses can be higher upfront than for diesel buses.

Energy

E-bike surge sparks safety concerns amid policy changes

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By Donté Smith

The surge in electric bike (e-bike) sales has been nothing short of “obvious,” according to Rick Teranes, the co-owner of Bikes Blades & Boards in Grosse Pointe, Michigan

“Sales of e-bikes have multiplied in recent years,” Teranes said, highlighting the significant shift in Metro Detroit’s cycling landscape driven by their growing popularity. And that has raised concerns about safety for e-cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. In response to the increasing use of e-bikes, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently implemented a land use change, allowing Class 1 e-bikes on designated non-motorized trails. Class 1 e-bikes provide pedal-assist without a throttle and can reach speeds up to 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes have the same speed limit but include a throttle, allowing riders to accelerate without pedaling.