Q-90.1's The Environment Report

New agreements between Michigan utilities and advocates will lower energy bills and invest in home improvements. A Battery Circularity Program aims to improve how batteries are collected, recycled and reprocessed across the state. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis says in a recent bulletin that “blistering pace of the buildout of solar and battery storage” appears set to continue for at least the next two years in the United States. For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

What are the top five priorities for the Great Lakes? The Michigan Clean Water Corps is looking for volunteers. Midland Township and eight other communities will host solar power and battery storage projects to advance clean energy. For more information: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

A binational report card is out for Lake Huron. Nine Michigan airports are receiving money from the state to deal with PFAS contamination. You and three of your friends can be lighthouse keepers. Learn more: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

If current demand continues, data centers will drive up emissions and electricity costs. Michigan drafted a 10-year-plan to grow Michigan’s maritime industry. An online tool built by the Great Lakes Commission tracks major Great Lakes and clean water-related projects. For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

To improve water supply predictions, researchers have developed the Great Lakes NBS Predictor. The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association says it’s continuing a Solarize program this year. Michigan has a goal of reaching a 30% recycling rate for residents by 2029. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Saginaw Bay is mentioned in a recent State of the Great Lakes Report and the Global Challenges Foundation has a list of the five biggest risks facing humanity. Learn more: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Listeners of this segment helped it win Science Podcast of the Year for 2025 at the Lakies. There’s no winter or holiday break in the fight against invasive species. The Alliance for the Great Lakes offers training in environmental advocacy. Learn more: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Some tips on cardboard recycling, a citizen science project, and efforts to remove invasive lampreys. For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Some Christmas tree factoids and way to count this winter's snowfall. For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

New research offers a simple solution to a widespread pollution problem, the AuSable River Scenic Preserve is in the hands of Oscoda Charter Township, and the federal government is back open and newly updated Michigan energy facts are out. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Environmental groups are celebrating a state decision regarding fertilizers used by large-scale farms, climate change is causing fish to shrink, and Lake Huron shipwrecks are helping advance AI. For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Michigan State University is studying the benefits of solar panels on farmland, a new documentary follows baby sturgeon released into the Saginaw River system, and a newly constructed reef in the Saginaw Bay is poised to increase fish habitat. For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Climate change could be driving people to move to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Fall colors are peaking in some areas of Michigan and growing in others. And Bay City has been added to an international Initiative for Resilient Great Lakes Coasts. For more visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast and others like it: https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/

A grant is aimed at ensuring "that fact-based science is shaping decisions that protect the Great Lakes." Wetlands will see some protections in the new state budget. And renewable energy and distributed generation continues to grow in Michigan. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Help support this podcast and others like it: https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/

Bay City is a featured port on a Great Lakes cruise marketing program and Michigan is planning a Lake Huron flooding resilience study. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/

Fall colors are showing up across Michigan. A rare bird is among the first examples of a climate change species. Beach season is over, but E. coli bacteria is still a concern. For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support this podcast: https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/

Happy anniversary to the Pollution Emergency Alerting System, aka PEAS. Hampton Township is among eight communities sharing almost $2 million in awards to support renewable energy projects. It turns out muskrats are pretty good at battling invasive species. For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/ Support Delta College Public Radio: https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/

Exotic mushrooms are invading Michigan and pushing out native fungi, more baby lake sturgeon will soon be swimming in the Saginaw River system, and the clock is ticking on federal clean energy tax credits. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/

Volunteers are needed for a stream sampling event that uses tiny animals to assess water quality in the Cedar River. Wednesday, Aug. 27, was officially the first-ever World Lake Day, as declared by the United Nations. And range anxiety is a real concern for folks considering an electric vehicle. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/

At least 30 beach cleanups are planned in Michigan next month. A 57-pound invasive carp was found in Lake Huron. This summer is shaping up to rival 2023 for air quality alerts in Michigan. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/