For Friday, Aug. 19, 2022

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1 – A regional group says the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law this week by President Biden is a historic win for Great Lakes restoration, clean drinking water and public health. 

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition represents more than 170 environmental, conservation and other organizations.

The act is funded in part by a 15% minimum tax on certain corporations. 

A Michigan fact sheet from the White House says the act will make it more affordable for families to purchase energy efficient appliances, make home repairs and save money on monthly utility bills. 

It also will expand opportunities for clean energy jobs in Michigan. There’s an estimated $8.3 billion of investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage between now and 2030. 

There also are upfront discounts of up to $7,500 for new and $4,000 for used electric vehicles. 

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2 – The Nature Conservancy is accepting entries throughout August for a global photo contest.

Helen Taylor, director of the conservancy for Michigan, encourages professional and amateur photographers to submit their photos to show off the beauty of the state. 

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges who will award various prizes including a trip to Uruguay. 

Photos will be judged in categories including people and nature, landscape, water, wildlife and climate. 

See nature.org for more. 

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3 – Be on the lookout this month for the invasive Asian longhorned beetle.

August is the time when adult beetles emerge from trees. State officials say checking trees for the beetle and related damage is one way to protect trees and help with efforts to eliminate the beetle from the United States.

The Asian longhorned beetle is a non-native wood-boring beetle that attacks 12 types of hardwood trees. Infested trees do not recover and eventually die. 

Signs of the beetle include round exit holes, about the diameter of a pencil, found in tree trunks and branches.

More information is online at Michigan.gov/ALB.

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

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