environment

Former oil executive now advocate for alternative energy

Current State — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:35:00 +0000

What should America’s energy future be, and how do we hammer out an environmentally conscious national energy security plan for the future?

Michigan DEQ limits environmental impacts of dredging

Current State — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:08:49 +0000

This year record low water levels have spurred the Michigan government to spend over $20 million on dredging. Many hope dredging will enable recreational and commercial boating to continue, preventing revenue loss.

Two and a half years later, oil spill clean-up continues on Kalamazoo River

Current State — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:24:06 +0000

It’s been two and a half years since an oil pipeline owned by the Canadian company Enbridge ruptured near Marshall, spewing hundreds of thousands of gallons of heavy crude oil into the Kalamazoo River. The incident has been one of the costliest oil spills in U.S. history and the clean-up is still ongoing.

Steve Hamilton, an MSU scientist who has been monitoring the clean-up, updates Current State on the situation.

Red Cedar welcomes fish and anglers

Current State — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:17:29 +0000

In December, the MSU Board of Trustee's lifted a 1960's ordinance, which banned fishing on campus. Students are now allowed to fish the Red Cedar in designated areas. To promote fishing on the river, the Department of Natural Resources released 3,000 fish into the river on Monday. Some MSU students and staff hope welcoming anglers will help improve the river’s reputation.

MSU students launch fossil free campaign

Current State — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:59:29 +0000

Environmentalists trying to get Michigan State University to curtail coal-generated power are announcing a new tactic today. The MSU Sierra Student Coalition is launching the MSU Fossil Free campaign. The effort is an attempt to get the university to divest millions of endowment dollars the coalition says are invested in the fossil fuel industry. Callie Bruley, an MSU student and a coordinator of MSU Beyond Coal, and Brad Van Guilder, who represents the Michigan Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal effort, discuss the MSU Fossil Free campaign.

Common insecticides a growing threat to bird populations

Current State — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:43:50 +0000

The American Bird Conservancy released a report last week calling for a ban on widely-used insecticides suspected of damage to bird and aquatic populations.

As Great Lakes show, plastic pollution not just an oceanic problem

Current State — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:50:34 +0000

State seeks public input on Michigan's energy future

Current State — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:49:53 +0000

What should Michigan’s long-range priorities be regarding energy? Governor Rick Snyder and other state officials want to know.

This Thursday afternoon in Lansing is the public’s first chance to make its voice heard at a forum being held at the State Library. Next December, the Governor plans to issue a comprehensive set of recommendations based in part on the forums.

Today on Current State, three guests with different perspectives discuss the energy issue.

Lakes Michigan and Huron reach record low water levels

Current State — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:28:04 +0000

This month Lake Michigan and Lake Huron hit record low water levels. The receding water is causing environmental and economic problems in the Great Lakes Basin.

To offset the water levels, Governor Rick Snyder has proposed a $21 million budget to dredge harbors. Patrick Doran, director of conservation for the Michigan Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and Jon Allan, director of the Office of the Great Lakes, discuss dredging and the future of the Great Lakes’ water levels.

Sen. Jones Urges Feds to End Coal Exemption for Lake MI's 'Badger'

Mark Bashore — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:40:51 +0000

A Lansing-area state legislator is urging federal environmental officials to get tough with the coal-fired SS Badger.

Lansing Lands Piece of MI Brownfield Grant

The Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:17:32 +0000

Several Michigan communities--one of them Lansing--are getting a share of $2.4 million in federal grants to help clean up brownfield sites.

Delhi Voters May Reject Solar ‘Waste-to-Fuel’ Facility

Mark Bashore — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Next Tuesday, voters in Delhi Township will weigh the costs and benefits of getting greener. WKAR’s Mark Bashore reports the project at hand has created a rift in the township.

New Law Limits What Can Go into Burn Barrels

Rick Pluta — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:16:28 +0000

A new law will soon limit the types of waste that can be thrown into pits and barrels to be burned.

MSU Trustees Face Decision on Campus Clean Energy Plan

Kevin Lavery — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees faces a pivotal decision today. The board will decide whether to approve a strategic clean energy plan that would eventually transition the campus to 100 percent renewable energy. The plan calls for MSU to produce 15 percent of its energy from renewables in just three years.

The plan has been staunchly opposed by student environmental groups at MSU, who claim it’s not strong enough to effect any real change. They’re also critical of the fact that the vision does not include scrapping the university’s coal-fired power plant.