For Friday, Aug. 6, 2021

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1 – Flushable wipes are not flushable. Don’t flush them down the toilet.

That’s the message from the city of Bay City. So-called flushable wipes don’t dissolve like regular toilet paper and can accumulate and get tangled on equipment at wastewater treatment plants. 

It’s a disgusting problem if you’ve seen the pictures of what happens. 

The city recently posted pictures on its Facebook page of used flushable wipes from across Michigan. 

The state’s environmental agency notes that many people turned to so-called flushable wipes during the pandemic in 2020. 

But the wipes do not break down effectively in the sewer system, which also can result in raw sewage backups and expensive plumbing repair bills. 

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2 – The Michigan Environmental Council and 30 organizations and municipalities are urging robust energy efficiency and electrification provisions in an update of the state’s energy conservation code. 

The code governs the process of constructing homes and businesses. 

The environmental council and other organizations included their recommendations in a letter to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. 

The group is urging the state to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, which sets minimum requirements for energy efficient buildings, and make additional amendments.

The council says Michigan has not updated its building energy codes since 2015.

A recent U.S. Department of Energy report found that $138 billion in savings could be generated over the next 30 years by adopting the international code. 

3 – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says registration is open again for its Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, set for Sept. 10-12 in Marquette County.

This will mark the first-ever fall gathering for the program. The traditional February and June gatherings were canceled earlier this year due to COVID. 

The Becoming an Outdoors Woman program offers instruction in more than 20 different types of activities, including kayaking, wilderness survival, lake and fly fishing, rock climbing, geocaching, shooting sports, hammock camping, basic land navigation and introduction to turkey hunting.

The deadline for registration is Aug. 15. Class information and registration materials are available online at Michigan.gov/BOW. 

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard Friday mornings in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM (listen). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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