Local independent nonprofit environment and health journalism that holds power accountable, spotlights solutions and serves the community for Detroit and Michigan. https://linktr.ee/planetdetroit https://planetdetroit.org/https://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mun7gkq4iu2dMichigan'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/03 Sep 2026 19:42 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mun7gkq4iu2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3muk6fciwhu27A 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/02 Sep 2026 14:45 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3muk6fciwhu27https://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mu5tjgpxdk2lInspired 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 28 Aug 2026 16:59 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5tjgpxdk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mu3nobsun424DTE 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/27 Aug 2026 20:09 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3nobsun424https://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mu2wqab2mw2cSoutheast 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 27 Aug 2026 13:18 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu2wqab2mw2chttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mtz2sm5qqs2hThe decision comes after Southeast Michigan weathered three federally declared disasters inside of a decade with the 100-year storms in August 2014, June 2021, and August 2023. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/army-corps-slashes-metro-detroit-flood-study-budget/26 Aug 2026 19:26 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtz2sm5qqs2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mtyisgy5dn2hResidents who spoke during Monday’s Gibraltar City Council meeting expressed concern about the data center’s potential impacts on the power grid and Humbug Marsh. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/gibraltar-faces-data-center-lawsuit/26 Aug 2026 14:03 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtyisgy5dn2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mttlnjmxo22bA Sept. 3 Michigan Public Service Commission community workshop in Detroit will address agency’s ongoing affordability work and solicit input on the challenges utility customers face: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/detroit-energy-affordability-workshop/ #dte #energyaffordability 24 Aug 2026 15:11 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttlnjmxo22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mtlvf2r2ac2gIf the Legislature takes no action on the ballot proposal by Sept. 5, it will automatically be placed on the ballot: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/dte-consumers-donations-ballot-proposal/21 Aug 2026 13:44 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlvf2r2ac2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mthdvsvkjb2fThe Michigan Electric Vehicle Alliance held its 3rd annual Clean Cruise on Aug. 8, showcasing EVs and hybrids ahead of the Woodward Dream Cruise. Planet Detroit's Maggie Quinn stopped by to learn about the event's sustainable driving mission.19 Aug 2026 18:21 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mthdvsvkjb2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mth5u6zzoq2uICYMI: 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/19 Aug 2026 16:32 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mth5u6zzoq2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mtbxu42z2o2fICYMI: Michigan’s utility regulator says ending yearly rate increases and changing how utilities earn profit would do more for household energy bills than anything the commission can do on its own. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/mpsc-dte-consumers-recommendations/17 Aug 2026 15:02 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtbxu42z2o2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3msvf7tztp62kBefore the property changed hands, Michigan regulators contacted North Morris Estates about a raw sewage spill in the community, according to state records. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/north-morris-communities-hedge-fund-ownership/12 Aug 2026 14:56 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvf7tztp62khttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3msqglpvavj2qPlanet Detroit intern Maggie Quinn tabled at the Oak Park Garden Tour on July 26th and created a recap video. See highlights from the community gardening event and hear what attendees had to say.10 Aug 2026 15:37 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msqglpvavj2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3msixjf327u2aThe greening of Poletown East reflects a broader conversation unfolding across Detroit: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/arboretum-detroit-green-oasis-poletown/07 Aug 2026 16:19 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msixjf327u2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3msgk4kgeuq2fThe scale and intensity of Canadian wildfires has fundamentally changed since 2023, researcher says: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/canadian-wildfires-likelihood-climate-change/06 Aug 2026 17:14 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msgk4kgeuq2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3msgfx37rcq2sWhen Aevitas Specialty Services caught fire June 30, 2025, it caused approximately 1,000 gallons of oily water to spill onto the street. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/detroit-oil-recycler-drops-reopening-plan/06 Aug 2026 15:59 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msgfx37rcq2shttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3msegzgvd2w2c“It seems to be well thought out, but I don’t see other residents here,” Hilda Rangel says of open house for $112-million project at Southwest Detroit freight terminal. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/detroit-freight-terminal-upgrade-community-input/05 Aug 2026 21:13 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msegzgvd2w2chttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3msdzvvjhvg2lTwo Detroit-based writers will profile growers and farmers across the city, exploring what drives them to grow food in Detroit. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/brennan-resiliency-fellowships-detroit-growers/05 Aug 2026 17:19 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msdzvvjhvg2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3ms6mctduji25Candidates will face voters in the general election who hold more favorable views of renewable energy, says Michigan Conservative Energy Forum’s Ed Rivet. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/08/michigan-clean-energy-governors-race/03 Aug 2026 13:32 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms6mctduji25https://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mrxkigjeyl2oWhat environmental issues matter most to you this election? We're building our 2026 Environmental Voter Guide around reader questions. Vote for the ones that matter most or submit your own: voterguide.planetdetroit.org31 Jul 2026 18:11 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrxkigjeyl2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mrxkigjeyl2oWhat environmental issues matter most to you this election? We're building our 2026 Environmental Voter Guide around reader questions. Vote for the ones that matter most or submit your own: voterguide.planetdetroit.org31 Jul 2026 18:11 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrxkigjeyl2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mrvgfbgsut2aThe Detroit oil refinery burned off excess gas during a power outage earlier this month. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/07/marathon-refinery-expansion-approval-detroit/30 Jul 2026 21:52 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrvgfbgsut2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mruymsz5jk23Whether Haley Stevens or Abdul El-Sayed wins the Democratic Senate primary, a political consultant tells Planet Detroit the general election will likely be decided by “base partisanship.” https://planetdetroit.org/2026/07/democratic-senate-primary-environment-health-care/ 30 Jul 2026 17:46 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mruymsz5jk23https://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mrporgqseo2gThree proposed caps over I-75 would create public spaces while reconnecting communities divided by freeway construction. Read more about the plan and how you can participate: https://planetdetroit.org/2026/07/detroit-i-75-freeway-caps-downtown/28 Jul 2026 15:06 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrporgqseo2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/planetdetroit.org/post/3mrnahvsqyq2bA new plan brings kayak racks, accessible launches, and interactive maps to the Clinton River, Michigan’s most populated watershed. https://planetdetroit.org/2026/07/clinton-river-water-trail-guide-metro-detroit/ #ClintonRiver27 Jul 2026 15:45 +0000at://did:plc:da3cyv4cb4znoj7p6ffimvtp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrnahvsqyq2b