For Friday, Oct. 11, 2024

1 – Environmental advocates are celebrating 15 years of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition says the federally funded initiative has made significant progress in restoring the ecosystem and waterways. 

They call the initiative the most successful ecosystem restoration effort in the United States, saying it has led to wetland restoration, reduced phosphorus pollution and the cleanup of contaminated sediments. Close to $5 billion has been spent since 2010, including in the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay.

The coalition is a partnership of more than 180 groups. Leaders say that more work is needed to ensure sustainable water access and equitable distribution of resources to communities in need.

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2 – A new study using data from the federal Berkeley Lab finds that utility-scale solar energy projects in the Midwest generally increase nearby property values slightly, by up to 2 percent. 

The research by Loyola University Chicago analyzed 70 solar facilities built between 2009 and 2022. 

They found that smaller projects had a greater positive effect on home values compared to larger ones. 

Along with housing data, the study incorporated factors like solar project size, location and state. Eight solar facilities from Michigan are noted. 

Researchers say the findings are crucial for local officials and property owners as they weigh decisions about allowing solar developments in their communities. 

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3 – Final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements are out from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They include a mandate requiring most communities to replace their lead service lines within 10 years. 

The move is to reduce the risk of lead poisoning via drinking water. 

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative of mayors in the region applauds the development. 

The group says a significant percentage of the more than 9 million lead service lines remaining the U.S. are concentrated in Great Lakes communities. With the rule in place, the group says it’s incumbent on the U.S. federal government to fund the work.

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM in University Center, Michigan, near Bay City (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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