New tests by Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality have found the massive piles of petroleum coke sitting along the Detroit River do not pose a threat to human health.

The findings aren't likely to satisfy Detroit and Windsor residents who have complained about the growing piles of petroleum coke on the U.S. side of the river that the Environmental Protection Agency determined in March were not toxic.

The material — a dark, rock-like solid produced as part of oil refinery operations and sold as a fuel source — was produced nearby at the Marathon refinery.

For the full article, see Jim Lynch, "New tests by DEQ say petroleum coke mounds near Detroit River no threat; Officials say test findings make state intervention unlikely", Detroit News, April 19, 2013.

The National Climate Ethics Campaign is pleased to announce the release of an assessment of organizations making a moral call to action on climate change in the U.S. The report can be found here.

As you know, climate change is a profoundly moral issue. The impacts of climate disruption raise critical moral and ethical questions. Equally important, although science and economics can help inform our choices, the decisions that must be made to address the problem will ultimately be based on our moral and ethical values--that is, on the people, process, organisms, and other factors we deem most important.

The moral movement on climate disruption can therefore play an important role in helping the public, elected officials, and other decision makers surface and clarify the moral and ethical values that will drive their decision making.

This is a first of its kind report. It analyzes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and needs of organizations making a moral call to action on climate disruption. It offers examples of successes. In addition, it offers recommendations for how the organizations can improve their effectiveness, and for how funders can improve the effectiveness of the movement.

We hope you find the information and recommendations offered in the report useful.

Sincerely,

Bob Doppelt
National Climate Ethics Campaign
April 18, 2013

Rivers are rising, Michigan communities brace for flooding
Mark Brush and Lindsey Smith
April 20, 2013
Michigan’s second largest city is under a state of emergency because of flooding.

State tests: Mounds of oil refinery byproduct safe
April 19, 2013
Tests by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality have found that hulking black mounds along the banks of the Detroit River in southwest Detroit don't pose a threat to human health.

Fractopia : A Town Hall Meeting on the future of Fracking In Michigan
Mark Brush
April 18, 2013
You can watch the town hall meeting in full on the U-M School of Engineering's website. Just click on the "View On-Demand" link.

"This is about the worst” - Grand River close to 100-year flood levels
Lindsey Smith
April 18, 2013
The Grand River in Grand Rapids is swollen after record rainfall this month. It’s expected to crest at just under 25 feet on Sunday; just nine inches shy of the 100-year flood level.

As water rises, so do fears Asian carp will escape Des Plaines River
Rina Miller
April 18, 2013
Record rainfall in the Chicago area has heightened concerns that invasive Asian carp will escape electronic and physical barriers along the Des Plaines River, and make their way into the Great Lakes. If Asian carp were to get into the Great Lakes, it's feared they could seriously impact the fishing and recreation industries.

Tornado watches and flooding come to Michigan today
Mark Brush
April 18, 2013
Storms moved across Michigan this afternoon causing major flooding. Tornado watches are over. We updated this post today as we learned more.

Decision time for Isle Royale, only 8 wolves left
Rebecca Williams
April 18, 2013
Wolves and moose fight for survival on Michigan's Isle Royale National Park. For more than 50 years, researchers have been closely watching them in the world’s longest-running study of predators and prey. The number of predators on the island has been sinking fast.
There are just eight wolves left on Isle Royale. This is the first year that Michigan Technological University researchers were unable to document any pups born to the wolves.

Source : Michigan Radio Environment Report and Michigan Radio News Environment and Science

The Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan — http://www.letsbanfracking.org — can begin gathering 258,088 valid signatures from Michigan voters to place a ballot initiative on the statewide ballots in 2014, either August or November. The group advocates 100% use of renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and biofuels, to power the state. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers approved their ballot wording.

For the full article, see Kathleen Gray, "Fracking opponents can start gathering signatures for a 2014 ballot proposal", Detroit Free Press, April 17, 2013.

The head of Michigan's Office of the Great Lakes and other policymakers will discuss low water and other issues confronting the lakes during a forum Wednesday in Lansing.

Jon Allan leads the Great Lakes office, a branch of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Joining him will be Michael Jones of Michigan State University's Quantitative Fisheries Center and Jennifer Read, deputy director of the University of Michigan Water Center.

Organizers say declining levels, questions about diverting water and related topics should be leading regional leaders to think differently about how the five freshwater seas are managed.

Wednesday's Forum begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Mackinac Room of the Anderson House Office Building. It's sponsored by Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.

"Policymakers to discuss Great Lakes at forum", Detroit News, April 17, 2013.