michigan department of environment great lakes and energy

This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed historic legislation into law aimed at improving the health and sustainability of Michigan's environment, and we wanted to take a deeper dive into what that is going to look like. WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak found Kara Cook to provide insights as WEMU’s 1st Friday guest. Kara provides perspective from her position in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

Ann Arbor Township residents are concerned a mining operation is drying up their water wells. There is evidence to support those concerns, and some are frustrated with the gravel mining company that has already been found in violation of some state regulations and local ordinances. WEMU's David Fair gets the latest in a conversation with grassroots organizer and township resident, Amy Olszewski.

A slew of lawsuits related to the 2020 Edenville Dam disaster will be heard by the Michigan Court of Claims. In a decision released Friday, the Michigan Court of Appeals rejected the state’s motion to dismiss the cases. We have more from Rick Pluta.

The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled against the state’s 2020 PFAS drinking water standards. Colin Jackson has more.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has a new director. Phil Roos was recently appointed to the position by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Roos will be charged with taking on a number of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Michigan's air, land and water. In his first media appearance since taking charge of EGLE, Roos discussed his plans with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.

The latest check in a twice-a-year look at Flint’s water pipes shows drinking water is safe, and the city is close to reaching a goal of replacing all lead service lines. We have more from Rick Pluta.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has a new director. Phil Roos was recently appointed to the position by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Roos will be charged with taking on a number of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Michigan's air, land and water. In his first media appearance since taking charge of EGLE, Roos discussed his plans with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.

PFAS contamination is occurring in the area’s only cold-water trout stream. Johnson Creek is a 3.6-mile-long tributary to the middle branch of the Rouge River, where it joins in Wayne County’s Northville Township. The Arbor Hills landfill in Washtenaw County’s Salem Township has been identified as the source of the contamination. Getting regulators to address the issue has been difficult, and that is where the grassroots citizens group, The Conservancy Initiative, comes in. David Drinan is its vice president, and he spoke with WEMU's David Fair on how the group is taking matters into its own hands.

Air quality continues to be an issue, and with a warming climate, the efforts at improvement may become more difficult. The federal EPA has curiously ruled that Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan now meet attainment status for ground-level ozone. Environmental advocates, including the director of the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, says the process used to make the determination is questionable. Nick Leonard joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the challenges ahead.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday that much of Michigan could be in for some tough weeks ahead due to drifting smoke and continued danger of wildfires. We have more from Rick Pluta.