AGP Executive Report

Michigan Coal Court Fight: A federal appeals court ruled the Trump administration can’t keep Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant running under “emergency” powers, dealing a major blow to the coal bailout and reinforcing limits on using crisis claims to extend fossil fuel operations. Great Lakes & Water Infrastructure: Yorkville, near Lake Michigan, says higher household readings after new water meters are expected as older meters were underreporting; the city is swapping about 5,200 meters as part of a major Lake Michigan water sourcing effort. Data Centers vs. Communities: A new Wells Fargo tracker finds local data-center moratoriums have surged nationwide to 374 as residents push back over electricity, grid capacity, and water impacts—Michigan is flagged among the states with the most restrictions. Energy & Trade Pressure: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged Ford to cut ties with Chinese battery maker CATL and other Chinese links, citing national security concerns, while Ford disputes the framing. Wildlife & Public Safety: Michigan DNR is warning people to stop harassing a threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake after a bite incident sparked more searches. Rural Grants: Michigan announced 19 Rural Development Fund awards totaling $1.6M+ for projects from utility upgrades to agriculture processing and community facilities.

Coal Court Win for Michigan: A D.C. appeals court vacated a Trump-era emergency order that kept Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant running past retirement, saying there was no true emergency and the Energy Department exceeded its authority—an outcome Michigan AG Dana Nessel called a relief for the state and for planned clean-energy transitions. Great Lakes Air Pollution: Great Lakes Castings in Ludington is seeking an EGLE permit to authorize a years-old ventilation change at its Hunter Line sand handling operation, including a proposed cut of more than 90% in allowed particulate emissions after adding a second baghouse. Lake Cadillac Algae: Cadillac residents and businesses are dealing with a notably noxious cyanobacteria bloom on Lake Cadillac; officials say blooms can be worse when phosphorus and nitrogen are high, and they’re urging people to avoid contact. Data Centers vs. Communities: A new Wells Fargo tracker finds local data-center moratoriums have surged nationwide to 374, with Michigan among the states seeing the most restrictions as residents cite electricity costs, grid limits, water use, and local impacts. Utility Costs Fight: Oakland County is asking residents to submit electric bills to support its challenge to a proposed DTE rate hike, arguing the increase would hit households harder than earlier approvals. Wildlife Health Alert: Ionia County reported a rabies-positive bat from the MSU lab, urging residents to avoid handling bats and seek treatment after any risky exposure.

Coal Court Clash: A federal appeals court unanimously struck down the Trump administration’s emergency order that forced Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant to stay open past its scheduled retirement, saying the Department of Energy overstepped its authority and that states must handle reliability planning. Great Lakes & Pipelines: In Wisconsin, the DNR told Enbridge to stop Line 5 bypass construction after a major natural gas liquids spill, renewing pressure from tribes and environmental groups. Data Centers & Elections: Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates are turning data-center moratoriums into campaign flashpoints, with calls to halt new builds unless communities get open negotiations, power-cost protections, and water rules. Clean Energy Jobs: Gov. Whitmer announced $1.5M for 10 mobility projects via the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform, backing clean-energy and transportation tech pilots. Hunting Access Tech: The DNR launched an updated MiHunt map for public hunting lands, letting hunters toggle layers and import their own spatial data. Critical Minerals: Talon Metals chose a Michigan processing site in Marquette County over a North Dakota option for nickel processing.

Energy & Trade: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent Ford a demand to end its technology licensing partnership with Chinese battery maker CATL, warning of national security risks; Ford says it’s a limited licensing deal, not a joint venture, as Washington pushes harder on China-linked tech. Grid Reliability: After severe storms left hundreds of thousands without power, Michigan Senate Democrats introduced bills to compensate customers for long outages (over 72 hours) and provide credits for repeated failures, while Detroit officials explore alternatives to DTE. Climate Outlook: A “super” El Niño is forecast to shape fall and winter weather across the central U.S., with a mild winter possible for many areas and drought relief for some. Wildlife Health: Michigan DNR confirmed the first 2026 epizootic hemorrhagic disease cases in deer in Branch, Ingham, Jackson, and Lenawee counties, urging hunters not to process visibly sick animals. Great Lakes & Permits: Michigan tribes and environmental groups challenged Line 5 tunnel permits, arguing state approvals should face broader environmental review after a Michigan Supreme Court ruling. Clean Energy & Industry: Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall received an approved revised air permit after public review, while Talon Metals said it will process proposed Tamarack project metals using its Michigan mill. Water & Habitat: A century-old Buckhorn Creek dam in Grand Rapids-area trail corridor was removed, restoring natural flow and improving fish habitat. Public Health Research: Wayne State won a $3.94M NIH grant to study how Detroit-area air pollution accelerates biological aging and affects metabolic and cognitive health.

Great Lakes Pipeline Fight: Michigan regulators are re-reviewing Line 5 tunnel permits after a Michigan Supreme Court ruling, while Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urges Enbridge to pursue shutdown alternatives “within months” and calls the project a “ticking time bomb.” Tribal Pushback: Four Michigan tribes are demanding a contested case to block key tunnel permits, arguing the approvals don’t meet state law and threaten treaty-protected Great Lakes resources. Upstream Spill Pressure: Wisconsin’s DNR orders Enbridge to halt work on a Line 5 temporary bypass near an August spill, citing noncompliance and additional discharges. Water & Shoreline Access: A Lake Michigan shoreline advocate, Paul Florsheim, won an appeals-court fight over a trespassing ticket, keeping pressure on how public access is handled. Public Health: Oakland County reported its first probable human West Nile Virus case of 2026, urging residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Local Environment & Food Systems: MSU research finds sustainable cropping systems can close the profitability gap with conventional corn/soy over time. Outdoor Recreation Tech: Michigan’s rebuilt MiHunt map is live for fall hunting seasons.

Great Lakes Protection: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered EGLE to re-evaluate Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel permits after a Michigan Supreme Court ruling, pressing Enbridge to pursue shutdown alternatives for the aging dual pipelines instead of waiting “a decade or longer.” Local Water & Wildlife: Consumers Energy’s Hodenpyl Dam inspection is nearing, but DNR fisheries officials are pushing for river-flow changes that won’t unnecessarily harm downstream fish. PFAS & Septic Health: Michigan marked SepticSmart Week (Sept. 14–18) with a reminder that 1.3 million state homes rely on septic systems that need maintenance to protect groundwater. Public Health & Food Safety: A record cyclospora season is winding down, with major impacts on growers and concerns about gaps in the food safety system. Air & Health Research: Wayne State won a $2.4M NIH grant to study how e-cigarette components and flavors during pregnancy may affect fetal lung immune development. Invasive Species Watch: A Bay County study confirms Emerald Ash Borer remains widespread and stable, supporting continued treatment funding. Community & Environment: Ypsilanti-area residents raised concerns at a town hall about a proposed UM/Los Alamos data and research center’s potential water, power, and noise impacts.

Line 5 Reversal in Michigan: After the Michigan Supreme Court said regulators didn’t properly weigh environmental harms for Enbridge’s Straits tunnel, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and EGLE are re-examining the already-issued permits and pressing Enbridge to pursue shutdown alternatives instead of banking on a tunnel years away. Great Lakes Funding Deadline: Lawmakers are racing to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative before current funding expires, with a lapse that could disrupt long-term restoration planning. Endangered Species Act Lawsuits: A coalition of Democratic attorneys general, including Michigan’s AG, is suing the Trump administration over new ESA rules that weaken habitat protections for threatened and endangered species. Deer Disease Update: Michigan DNR confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in free-ranging white-tailed deer in four southern counties, with guidance that healthy harvested deer remain safe to eat. Local Food & Farms: A Houghton County farm received a $99,950 state grant to build a community farm store aimed at expanding access to locally grown food. Storm-Heat Context: NWS says Southeast Michigan’s summer was among the warmest on record, with Detroit’s average daily temperature landing near the top of historical rankings.

Data Centers in the Spotlight (Michigan): Van Buren Township officials are set to vote on a final site plan for Google’s “Project Cannoli” hyperscale data center near I-94, with residents raising concerns about water use, sound, and utilities as the project moves toward construction. Local Energy & Costs: Traverse City Light & Power approved a 5% rate hike starting Oct. 1 and a new energy assistance program, aiming to fund reliability and grid modernization. State Environmental Jobs: EGLE is kicking off fall career fair season with staffing across air quality, drinking water, environmental health, remediation, and water resources. Great Lakes & Flooding Context: Flint Community Schools begins demolition of the former Central High School building as the district advances its new campus project. Renewables Under Pressure (Broader): A report says offshore wind is weakening along the East Coast as political and financial headwinds grow, even as energy demand rises. Food & Waste Ideas: A new look at “peecycling” explores whether urine could return as a fertilizer source if synthetic options stay pricey.

Transportation Funding Shift: Michigan is weighing a pay-per-mile road user charge pilot as gas-tax revenue falls with EVs and efficiency gains, with lawmakers and drivers asking what it would replace and how it would be rolled out. Wildlife Coexistence: Oakland University researchers are testing a “beaver deceiver” pond-leveler to reduce flooding from beaver dams in Southeast Michigan without removing the animals. Dam Decisions: Consumers Energy has delayed its dam sale case to November, extending the timeline for whether 13 dams—including Hodenpyl near Mesick—stay in place or are removed. Renewables & Local Control: Zeeland Township is suing over RWE’s proposed $300M Silver Maple Solar project, arguing state rules let developers bypass local approval; public meetings are set for Sept. 10 and 11. Great Lakes & Preparedness: After severe spring storms and flooding, Gov. Whitmer declared September Preparedness Month, urging residents to review plans and build emergency kits. Energy Infrastructure Debate: Automakers are moving into stationary battery storage for data centers and the grid, as local opposition to data centers grows across Michigan and beyond.

PFAS Awareness Week: Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team is kicking off Sept. 21–25 with 15 events statewide (plus webinars), urging residents to reduce exposure—like checking private wells, using Eat Safe Fish guidance, and avoiding PFAS-containing foam on surface water. Great Lakes Resilience: A shoreline restoration push highlights “resisting re-invasion” after high-water damage—native plants can stabilize soil, slow runoff, and make it harder for invasives to take hold. Local Environment & Community: A Lake City farm is reconnecting people to land and food through regenerative agriculture and music after decades of community events. Waterfront Weather Watch: The National Weather Service outlook points to above-normal temperatures early next week, with Michigan’s growing-degree days and rainfall running higher than last year. Public Safety & Health: A Southfield shooting suspect was released pending charging decisions, while Michigan also continues to face public health concerns tied to outbreaks and food safety failures.

Climate Outlook: NOAA’s space-weather watch and a NOAA Climate Prediction Center forecast point to above-normal temps and shifting rain chances for mid-September, while Michigan’s Enviroweather station logged higher growing degree days and wetter conditions than last year. Local Water & Wildlife: Volunteers relocated 3,000 Huron River mussels ahead of Peninsular Paper Dam removal in Ypsilanti to protect threatened habitat from sediment impacts. Great Lakes & Energy: Michigan’s Line 5 fight and broader energy policy debates keep resurfacing in state politics, with candidates tying “environmentally better” outcomes to pipeline decisions. Invasive Species & Conservation: Michigan’s invasive species grant program opens for 2026 proposals, alongside DNR steps to staff conservation enforcement. Public Health & Climate Risks: Reporting highlights how climate change is reshaping disease-carrying pests—more rats, ticks, and mosquitoes mean more illness risk. Food Safety: A recall was issued for imported ready-to-eat pork products potentially contaminated with listeria.

Stormwater & Green Infrastructure: Sterling Heights and Macomb County finished a $1.1 million Sterling Relief Drain renovation, adding native plants, habitat, and a half-mile trail while improving water quality and stormwater flow. Wildlife & Habitat: A fawn wedged in a subdivision gate in Grand Blanc Township was safely freed after police and firefighters responded quickly. Biodiversity Research: Michigan State University-linked researchers report that grasslands disturbed by plowing or clearing may never fully regain original biodiversity, even after centuries. Underground Ecosystems: Scientists found a surprisingly large, diverse fungal community in deep Michigan subsurface waters from Antrim Shale gas wells. Invasive Species Preparedness: Michigan’s invasive species grant program opened its 2026 proposal cycle with about $2.4 million available for prevention, detection, and control projects statewide. Energy & Climate Tech: Northwestern Michigan College is installing a geothermal exchange system expected to cut carbon emissions by about 96% while heating and cooling five campus buildings.

Invasive Species: Michigan’s DNR and partner agencies opened the 2026 Invasive Species Grant Program, with about $2.4 million aimed at preventing, detecting, and controlling harmful invaders statewide; applicants can use a Sept. 8 webinar and submit proposals during the new cycle. Wildlife & Enforcement: The Michigan DNR announced an accelerated Conservation Officer Training Academy, running April 25–July 15, 2027 in Lansing, with applications set to open Oct. 1–Nov. 3 for qualified candidates. Climate Science: A new study links global warming to stronger El Niño swings, using long coral records, as researchers warn this year’s “super” El Niño could be among the most intense on record. Great Lakes & Policy: Michigan is in the middle of a Line 5 legal fight over Great Lakes waters, with the state pressing an appeal as the dispute continues. Severe Weather: Storm damage surveys in Detroit and reports of tornadoes and widespread outages highlight how extreme weather is still hitting Michigan communities hard. Energy & Infrastructure: Michigan’s EV charging expansion is underway, but a new study says access remains unequal—especially for drivers who need reliable public options.

Great Lakes Water Quality: West Michigan’s Lake Macatawa cleanup is moving into a new phase as the ODC Network rolls out the next chapter of Project Clarity, aiming to cut lingering phosphorus and sediment pollution through 2030 after earlier gains helped reduce phosphorus loads by about 60%. Extreme Weather: Detroit officials and the National Weather Service are surveying damage on the east side after severe storms and a suspected tornado, with the storm season’s toll underscored by widespread outages and damage across Michigan. Climate Science: A new study using centuries of coral records suggests global warming has made El Niño swings stronger, adding urgency as a “super” El Niño strengthens. Wildlife Protection: President Trump has ordered a federal review of gray wolf and Mexican wolf protections that could lead to delisting or weaker rules under the Endangered Species Act. Energy & Batteries: Sodium-ion batteries are hitting their first real commercial stretch in 2026, while Michigan also saw a dramatic EV range record tied to low-speed efficiency and careful range optimization. Consumer Help: Michigan’s insurance department is urging residents to review life coverage and use free state resources to find lost policies.

Severe Weather in Detroit: National Weather Service teams surveyed storm damage on Detroit’s east side after a tornado was confirmed, with Mayor Mary Sheffield signing a local emergency for parts of the east side and Belle Isle as crews work to clear debris and restore power. Great Lakes Energy Fight: Michigan is pressing its appeal in Whitmer’s push to remove Enbridge’s Line 5 from Great Lakes waters, arguing the state should be able to end the easement tied to the pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac. Grid Reliability Planning: Indiana Michigan Power is seeking public input on more than 150 miles of proposed high-voltage transmission upgrades across Indiana, with no final routes selected yet. Local Sustainability Win: Washtenaw County’s Ellsworth Road project recycled over 7,000 scrap tires into rubber-modified asphalt and later earned a national green construction award. Public Health & Climate Pressure: A report says extreme weather is driving higher insurance costs that hit Black and Hispanic homeowners harder, raising affordability concerns as disasters become more frequent.

Severe Weather & Power: Detroit’s east side took a direct hit from a confirmed tornado, with Mayor Mary Sheffield signing a local state of emergency for the hardest-hit area and crews working to clear debris and restore service after storms left hundreds of thousands without power. Climate Impacts: A new report on “Pure Michigan” summer points to heat, smoke, storms, and flooding as climate change reshapes Great Lakes weather patterns—raising risks for asthma and other health harms. Public Health: Michigan health officials are still dealing with the cyclosporiasis outbreak, which has exposed how strained food-safety systems can be when contamination spreads widely. Energy & Land Use: A large-scale solar project in Wexford County faces zoning pushback after a planning commission recommended denying an amendment that would allow utility uses in agricultural/forest districts. Wildlife & Conservation: The Detroit Zoo continues its long-running Partula snail recovery effort, shipping hundreds of endangered snails from Michigan to Tahiti for release. Long-Running Science: Michigan State University researchers say seeds buried in 1879 still germinated decades later, with the experiment planned to run through 2100. Preparedness: State Police urged residents to update emergency plans during Preparedness Month as tornado and flooding recovery continues.