Washtenaw County Resiliency Office

Extreme heat, wildfire smoke and power outages are becoming more and more familiar parts of summer in Washtenaw County each year, and a growing network of local officials, health professionals and community organizers is working to help Ypsilanti residents do more than simply weather the next emergency. Lee Van Roth spoke about the actions being taken to protect residents with the director of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, Desirae Simmons.

In response to numerous severe weather events over the years, the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office introduced a countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan, which would allow municipalities to secure necessary funding for disaster relief while also advancing local carbon neutrality goals. Resiliency Office Director Beth Gibbons joined Rebekah Warren to discuss the current state of the plan and its impact on the environment.

2025 is wrapping up, and one of the primary issues raised over the past year is the proliferation and impacts of data centers. In 2026, we're likely to see some of these centers move toward becoming operational. Weighing economic benefit against potential environmental harm will continue, and there will be more vocal support and outrage for each proposed center. WEMU's David Fair got together with Washtenaw County Resiliency Office Director Beth Gibbons to try and compute the impact of data centers in Washtenaw County.

When it comes to our local environment, 2025 has been a year of progress and one with significant and growing challenges. Environmental aspirations are being worked into place in almost direct opposition to changing federal priorities and policies. WEMU's David Fair reflected on 2025 in a conversation with Beth Gibbons, the Director of the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office.

Washtenaw County Resiliency Office Director Beth Gibbons says data centers use a lot of resources but also can provide essential services. That’s part of a report she presented to county commissioners on Wednesday. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.