A new Michigan Natural Resources Commission appointee is drawing criticism from environmental groups and tribal leaders over qualifications and potential conflicts of interest.

https://planetdetroit.org/2026/10/new-natural-resources-commission-appointee-draws-criticism/

Noojimo’waning, Detroit’s first Land Back project, returns five city lots to Anishinaabe stewardship for ecological restoration and cultural healing. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/10/detroit-indigenous-land-back/ #indigenouspeoplesday

Michigan's utility regulator votes unanimously Thursday to grant conditional approval for DTE Energy contracts to power Google's 1-gigawatt data center project in Van Buren Township. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/10/dte-google-data-center-contract-approval/ #datacenters #dte

Wayne Disposal in Van Buren Township has accepted more than 650,000 tons of elevated radiation waste, according to Monday court filing. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/10/wayne-disposal-appeals-radioactive-waste-ban/

As intense rainstorms overwhelm Metro Detroit’s century-old combined sewer system, residents, nonprofits, and government turn to rain gardens and large-scale green infrastructure.
https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/rain-gardens-detroit-stormwater-solutions/ #flooding #climate #solutionsjournalism

DTE Energy's long-range power plan would more than double the utility's electric capacity. Read our report on how data center demand factors into DTE’s 20-year power plan: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/dte-gas-plants-data-centers-power-plan/ #dte #datacenters #climate

Abdul El-Sayed, Mike Rogers square off in key Senate contest in Michigan, where 62% of likely voters oppose data centers.
Read more about how this issue is shaping the race: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/data-centers-michigan-senate-rogers-el-sayed/ #datacenters #midterms

Michigan’s data center expansion could introduce new sources of PFAS contamination to communities already burdened by forever chemicals, says Michigan Green Muslims Director Huda Alkaff. Read more: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/michigan-pfas-awareness-data-center-threat/ #pfas #datacenters

Regulating only a microscopic fraction of forever chemicals leaves the public exposed, groundwater expert Matthew Tunnell writes during Michigan PFAS Awareness Week. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/pfas-epa-rules-forever-chemicals/ #pfas

While overshadowed by cost of living concerns, the environment and climate are an undercurrent in debates over data centers, affordability, and corporate accountability. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/environment-michigan-2026-midterm-election/ #midterms #election #politics

The Ypsilanti Township community is voicing “enormous anger” and “enormous distrust” over 100-megawatt computing center project, says University of Michigan representative: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/ypsilanti-township-uofm-data-center-opposition/ #datacenters #ypsilanti #michigan

Michigan’s utility regulator will decide whether to approve DTE Energy contracts for Google’s 1-gigawatt data center project in Van Buren Township. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/google-dte-van-buren-data-center-contracts/

Environmental advocates call for Wyandotte to switch from Detroit River intake to regional system due to contaminated groundwater flowing from nearby BASF facility. Officials say the drinking water is safe. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/wyandotte-drinking-water-detroit-river-basf/

Michigan's next attorney general will decide whether to continue challenging utilities over rate hikes, environmental issues, and data centers. https://planetdetroid.org/2026/09/michigan-attorney-general-candidates-utility-oversight/

A draft Detroit data center ordinance is expected from the planning commission in the coming weeks, says City Council Member Scott Benson. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/09/detroit-data-center-moratorium-push/

Inspired by a global movement, some Detroit River advocates are exploring whether legal personhood for the river could strengthen protection efforts — even as similar laws face court challenges nationwide. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/detroit-river-personhood-movement/ #DetroitRiver

DTE Energy will ask Michigan regulators to approve construction of two natural gas plants totaling 2.1 gigawatts of capacity.
Read the full story: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/dte-natural-gas-plants-michigan/

Southeast Michigan is grappling with "compound flooding" and the questions of infrastructure, funding, politics, and responsibility that go along with the stormwater. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/southeast-michigan-flood-cleanup-prevention/ #flooding #climate

ICYMI: The Michigan Board of State Canvassers approved ballot language Monday for a proposal to bar political donations by monopoly utilities, including DTE, and contractors doing significant business with the state. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/michigan-ballot-proposal-utility-donations/