Capitol Connection

From our State Capitol in Lansing to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, WKAR is committed to explaining how the actions of lawmakers are affecting Michiganders. Political and government reporter Abigail Censky leads this section. There are also stories from Capitol correspondents Cheyna Roth, Rick Pluta and the Associated Press. As the 2020 presidential race begins, look here for reports on the role Michigan will play in electing or re-electing the president.

Official: Climate Change A Top Priority Under Gov. Whitmer

WKAR Public Media | By Associated Press

Published February 22, 2019 at 6:33 PM EST

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Bundled up students walked on the MSU campus during the Polar Vortex which closed classes for two days in February 2019.

Joe Dandron

Michigan's top environmental regulator says dealing with climate change will be a top priority for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration.

Liesl Clark outlined plans for the newly redesigned Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy during a conference in Grand Rapids.

Clark will head the agency, which will replace the Department of Environmental Quality.

She told the Michigan Climate Action Network this week that department leaders are discussing how to bring together its various climate-related initiatives.

Whitmer also says Michigan will join the U.S. Climate Alliance.

The bipartisan coalition of governors from about 20 states is committed to reducing heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions as outlined under the Paris Climate Agreement, despite President Donald Trump's order to pull the U.S. from the agreement.