environment

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has approved the expansion of the Wayne Disposal landfill in Van Buren Township. The decision is not going well with many local residents and officials. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The University of Michigan is holding an open house tonight to inform residents of Ypsilanti Township about their proposed computing information center. But there’s a strong belief that the public may not hear what they’re looking for. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Invasive plants are not just a backyard nuisance—they’re one of the biggest drivers of long-term habitat loss in the Huron River Watershed. Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor have become a local model for tackling the problem through coordinated stewardship and public engagement. WEMU's David Fair found out what they’re doing with Natural Areas Specialist, Steven Parrish.

Local advocates for protecting the Huron River are raising concerns about the potential environmental impact of a proposed University of Michigan–Los Alamos computational facility planned along the riverfront in Ypsilanti Township. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations is reporting over 80% compliance with the city’s Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

There will be some significant environmental issues to deal with this year. Data centers, grid security, renewable energy policy—all of these issues will be before the Michigan Legislature, and it comes during a mid-term election year. How much will get accomplished? On this week’s "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with State Senator Sue Shink. She laid out her environmental priorities in 2026.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer criticized tariffs and encouraged cooperation with trade partners during a Detroit Auto Show speech Thursday. Colin Jackson has more.

The City of Ann Arbor is being recognized by the global non-profit CDP for its efforts and progress towards environmental resilience. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

The Washtenaw County Health Department is encouraging residents to take proper precautions to monitor and protect their homes from radon gas. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

The annual Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on January 17th. Electric vehicles are already embedded in local climate policy as a required component of meeting adopted emissions targets. Affordability has become a significant issue, and these cost pressures affect communities differently within Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair looked at the impact of EV’s in our community with Charles Griffith from the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center.