Press Releases

Oil spill highlights need for strong legislative support to establish, fund strong protections for Michigan's natural resources

Complete streets will maximize tools like sidewalks, bike lanes and curb cuts to link people to businesses, public transit and workplaces.

Environmental advocates, Teamsters, and neighborhood residents will march together on Saturday, June 26 to demand the closure of the country’s largest waste incinerator. By engaging in street theater and colorful, positive actions, representatives of Detroit’s pollution-impacted communities will bring attention to the need for a just transition from burning waste, coal and diesel to building a better, cleaner future for Detroiters.

The first in a statewide slate of public forums on Michigan’s passenger rail transportation future will take place Monday, June 14 in Royal Oak from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Woodward Ave. at 11 Mile Road.

MEC's 12th annual Environmental Awards Celebration to honor duo June 9 at a ceremony on the Detroit RiverFront

Postponement of Consumers Energy's proposed Bay City coal-fired power plant is an opportunity to establish cheaper, cleaner energy alternatives for Michigan

Michigan regulators deny permit for proposed 600 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Rogers City, saying the Wolverine Power Cooperative did not consider other alternatives. Public Service Commission estimates it would have cost average residential customer an additional $77 per month.

Federal approval of Cape Cod wind farm opens doors to North American offshore turbines; is a call to action for Michigan legislators

Federal fuel economy standards will benefit Big Three automakers, consumers in Michigan and the Midwest

The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) today requested the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigate deficiencies in Michigan’s implementation of the Clean Air Act. Those deficiencies stem from underfunding of the state’s air program.

Scientific consensus remains solid despite anti-regulation groups' campaign to confuse public and derail policies on climate change

A new study shows that Michigan families would save an average $438 each year on utility bills if strong energy efficiency measures are included as part of the energy bill being debated in the U.S. Senate

Environmental Council's intervention helps return improperly collected money to Consumers Energy electric customers

The White House announced it is allocating $244 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for work on a high speed rail corridor in the lower Lake Michigan region. The Michigan Environmental Council applauds the Obama Administration for making this critical down payment on a prosperous future for our state and our regional economy.

The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) seeks a full-time Health Policy Director to lead our organization’s efforts to achieve public policy changes that improve the health of Michigan residents by reducing environmental impacts. In addition, we are hiring a Development Associate to help raise the financial resources our organization needs to defend the health and beauty of Michigan’s environment.

Appeal expected in attempt to force regulators to protect Lake Superior and its tributaries

New director combines leadership, administrative experience and passion for state's natural resources

Senate, House send ban with exemptions to the governor

MEC lauds MDOT assessment of Detroit-Chicago rail route improvements that will help make train travel more convenient for commuters and travelers.

The legislature will return to Lansing today to put the final touches on a bill that will keep Michigan’s wetlands program running at the state level for an additional three years. Proposals had been made to send the program back to the federal government to operate on a limited basis.

Michigan’s environmental community today applauded efforts in the Michigan House Great Lakes and the Environment committee to preserve state-based protection of Michigan’s wetlands and Great Lakes waters.

On Saturday, September 12, there will be a press conference and rally to call attention to state budget cuts that threaten the passenger trains serving the Flint and mid-Michigan area. The rally will take place at the Flint Amtrak train station beginning at 6:40 am and continuing until train departure at 7:11 am

Report finds no new coal fired power plants are needed in Michigan for at least 13 years

Cuts to Detroit’s public transit system and those of other Michigan towns are part of a national epidemic making it harder for families and vulnerable citizens to get to jobs and essential services.

The Lansing City Council voted unanimously last night to adopt a Complete Streets and Non-Motorized Plan Ordinance. This is a big victory for cyclists and pedestrians in Lansing, and for the Complete Streets movement in Michigan.

Governor Jennifer Granholm’s Executive Directive (2009-4), released today, reflects the unique consensus on Michigan energy policy reforms reached recently by a diverse group of leaders from manufacturing, automotive industries, utility companies, environmental groups, universities, and government.

One dozen groups file comments urging more thorough consideration of cheaper, cleaner alternatives to Rogers City coal burning plant

Public transit advocates will host bake sales in four Michigan cities Wednesday, July 1 to raise cash in the wake of proposed state budget cuts that would derail Amtrak train routes and cripple bus services vital to connecting Michigan workers with employers. “With more Michiganders losing jobs, income, and the means to afford their own vehicles, public transportation is more important now than ever,” said Megan Owens of Transportation Riders United, Detroit.

Response from Michigan Environmental Council to State Senate’s vote to cede authority to federal government, cripple state environmental protections

The week-long Smart Commute challenge in Lansing witnessed perhaps its most offbeat entry yet when a pair of environmental policy specialists from the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) canoed the Grand River to reach their Lansing office.

The Michigan Public Service Commission cuts customers' costs for new renewable energy plan and finds clean energy cheaper than new coal. MEC and our allies say costs should come down even further for clean energy.

The Michigan Environmental Council today applauded President Obama’s plan to establish responsible, uniform mileage standards that will slash greenhouse gas pollution from new vehicles and make the nation more energy independent.

Leading environmental organizations filed a brief today calling for the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the energy efficiency and renewable energy plan filed by Consumers Energy. The groups argue the plan costs consumers too much and the energy efficiency plan does not do enough to reduce customers' bills.

Lana Pollack has been chosen for the state's highest environmental honor and Rusty Gates is 2009's citizen hero

The following letter was delivered to State House Speaker Andy Dillon, Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer and Gov. Granholm’s office from leading statewide environmental groups. It is a response to a letter to the governor signed by dozens of House members criticizing her recent Clean Energy executive directive. Many of these House members are Clean Energy supporters, but have been grossly misled about the legality, intent, and effect of the governor’s directive. We hope this letter helps set the record straight…or, at least straighter!

Michigan's highways are in abysmal condition. Potholes crater our secondary roads. The undersides of bridges are sheathed with plywood to keep crumbling concrete from striking motorists. There's simply no money to fix problems. So it borders on insulting -- and certainly seems irresponsible -- that Michigan may spend more than $170 million in federal stimulus money to build bigger, wider roads rather than fixing the ones already in desperate straits.

A new era of clean energy jobs and economic development in Michigan has been needlessly threatened by Attorney General Mike Cox’s tortured interpretation of state laws regarding public health and the environment, according to the Michigan Environmental Council and the Sierra Club’s Michigan chapter.

Detroit today joined the growing ranks of cities embracing a green economy and taking the initiative against climate change, committing to cut its greenhouse gas emissions significantly during the next several years.

A flurry of year-end legislation protecting public health and Michigan’s environment passed the Michigan Legislature late Thursday. The measures cap a year of tremendous accomplishments in protecting our Great Lakes, stimulating job creation in the clean energy sector and protecting children from toxics in toys and other products.

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Michigan Environmental Council and Michigan Community Action Agency Association intervene on behalf of the public interest to win court fight against Michigan Home Builders

Congressional passage of the Great Lakes Compact provides important new protections from large-scale water diversions and a framework for strengthening state water laws, a coalition of Michigan environmental groups said today.

Legislation passed by the Michigan House and Senate today is a significant first step toward creating a new era of clean energy jobs.

Legislation killing billboard control measures could mean thousands more billboards along Michigan’s scenic highways and byways, and should be rejected by the State House of Representatives and/or Gov. Granholm, said the Michigan Environmental Council and Scenic Michigan today.

A bipartisan agreement announced today establishes important and concrete protections for Michigan’s streams and makes water conservation an integral part of the state’s water stewardship efforts.

An energy package passed by the Michigan House of Representatives will mean lower cost, cleaner electricity for Michigan’s future according to analysis by the Michigan Environmental Council.

Legislation requiring state government to purchase renewably generated electricity is a useful first step toward a statewide clean energy policy. But the measure, passed by the Michigan State Senate today, is primarily symbolic because it affects significantly less than 1 percent of the state’s electricity generation.