Michigan Environmental Report

The Michigan Environmental Council teamed with a Washington, DC nonprofit in December to release a report documenting the economic benefits of investing in energy efficiency and renewable power. The release was part of MEC’s sustained effort to convince Michigan legislators to establish a renewable energy standard and aggressive energy efficiency programming for the state’s ratepayers. At press time, MEC and its allies were continuing to press for those programs. Below is a summary of the report, which concludes that renewable power and efficiency is a win-win for the economy and environment.

The first increases in federal automotive fuel economy standards in more than three decades passed Congress in December, drawing cheers from leading Michigan environmental groups, including the Michigan Environmental Council.

Flushing prescription medicine down the toilet puts it out of sight and out of mind—but doesn’t necessarily render it harmless.

The Michigan Environmental Council and its allies from the public health community scored an important victory in late 2007 with the passage of state laws protecting children from lead poisoning.

The image is appealing and strangely unforgettable. It’s simply a bright orange, heavy-duty electric cord, its three-pronged plug fitting easily into a luminously smooth piece of coal. Instantly the entire screen is illuminated in bright, warm, reassuring light. Ah, the wonders of “Clean Coal.” I have to admit, this is one great TV ad.

In each issue of the Michigan Environmental Report, we celebrate accomplishments by MEC and member groups.

WonkTalk is designed to put environmental geekspeak and arduous acronyms into plain English. Why? Because we eschew obfuscation and consistently endeavor to disencumber labyrinthine prose, of course!

The Michigan Environmental Council is among those tapped to help the state stem global warming through the newly formed Michigan Climate Action Council. Gov. Jennifer Granholm created the council in November to draft a blueprint for state climate change policies and actions. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through technology innovation and policies that provide economic and environmental benefits.

The Upper Peninsula’s unique identity could be changing as commercial forest ownership changes threaten traditions of public access and wide-open spaces, according to a report released in December by the Michigan Environmental Council in concert with conservation groups and university researchers.

Volunteers throughout Michigan are being recruited to monitor marsh bird and amphibian populations as part of a unique bi-national research program.

The Michigan Environmental Council presented a gargantuan green car message to visitors and participants at the Detroit’s North American International Auto Show in January.

A controversial proposed nickel mine in the Upper Peninsula (UP) faces administrative appeals and a lawsuit after it received approvals from both the Michigan departments of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources.

The Great Lakes, Great Michigan coalition continued to push for strong water withdrawal legislation and approval of the Great Lakes Compact throughout the fall and winter. Negotiations with key legislators and stakeholders were continuing at press time.

The Greater Grand Rapids Children’s Environmental Health Initiative recently earned recognition from federal agencies as one of four national models of community collaboration projects.

The first consumer action guide to toxic chemicals in children’s toys was launched by the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center on the eve of the holiday shopping season—creating a crescendo of national publicity and awareness

Efforts to protect low-income neighborhoods and communities of color from unfair effects of pollution were boosted in November when Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed an executive directive promoting environmental justice.

Tim Fischer recalls looking beyond the trusses of a home his construction company was building in North Carolina, and seeing 500-home subdivisions sprouting in valleys a half-hour drive from any other sign of civilization.

Many of you are financial supporters of the Michigan Environmental Council. If so, we can’t thank you enough. You make our work to defend Michigan’s environment possible.

Bunyan Bryant Ph.D., a giant in the field of environmental advocacy and social justice, is the recipient of the state’s highest environmental honor in 2008 – the Michigan Environmental Council’s Helen and William D. Milliken Distinguished Service Award.