With Election Day near, the League of Conservation Voters is pushing for Michigan legislation to protect democracy, air, land and waterways across the Great Lakes State.

League members said the election carries high stakes for Michigan, particularly in the House and Supreme Court races. In addition to backing the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, the League is focused on a critical policy they believe is at risk, Michigan's septic legislation.

Nick Occhipinti, director of state government affairs for the league, pointed out Michigan remains the only state without a program to oversee septic systems.

"In certain cases we have septic systems failing or connected directly to drains and creeks," Occhipinti explained. "Every time you flush the toilet, for those illicitly connected septic systems, you know you have human waste going directly into Michigan surface water bodies."

The League of Conservation Voters' annual National Environmental Scorecard rated members of Congress on their votes related to the environment, helping hold them accountable and informing voters about their stance on conservation and climate policies.

Occhipinti reminded voters not to overlook crucial down-ballot issues like the Supreme Court and State House races, which often fly under the radar. He encouraged everyone to follow their ballot all the way to the end, remembering to flip it over.

"A lot of folks don't often recognize those running for state Supreme Court. They don't recognize their names," Occhipinti observed. "You gotta get out there and learn who's running, do the research, find out what their values are and do your best to learn about what the candidates stand for."

Michigan's Democratic-led legislature recently passed laws on environmental policies, making down-ballot races vital for either supporting or opposing the changes.

A controversial oil drilling proposal near Florida's Apalachicola River is drawing sharp criticism ahead of a key administrative hearing next week.

Environmental advocates and local lawmakers are challenging the decision by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to permit exploratory drilling in the floodplain of one of the state's most ecologically significant waterways.

The company, Clearwater Land & Minerals of Florida, proposes drilling through a lime rock pad just north of Dead Lakes in Calhoun County, approximately 60 miles west of Tallahassee.

Susan Anderson, executive director of Apalachicola Riverkeeper, says 'no' to that.

"To put what is considered a treasure for the entire world at risk for a very limited potential economic return to a small number of individuals is something that our organization must stand up and oppose," Anderson said.

The company's permit application includes well-control procedures, preventive measures and contingency plans for potential accidents and spills. While the Calhoun County Commission supports the project, it faces widespread opposition from state leaders, local officials, the public and residents who've voiced their opposition.

The proposed site lies within a 144,000-acre floodplain vital to biodiversity and the recovery of Apalachicola Bay, which suffered a collapse of its oyster fisheries in 2012.

Anderson said she is alarmed over the environmental precedent this project could set, highlighting the ecological risks and interconnected ecosystems. She pointed out that about 90% of Gulf of Mexico species spend some part of their lifecycle in Apalachicola Bay.

"And the river itself is connected through multiple creeks, backwaters and wetland," she said. "It is in the vicinity of the Chipola River and the Dead Lakes, which are extraordinary resources."

A five-day administrative hearing begins Monday in Tallahassee.


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The Town of Carrboro is leveraging state law to combat climate change, announcing a lawsuit aimed at Duke Energy.

Barbara Foushee, mayor of Carrboro, revealed the case Wednesday, filed in Orange County Superior Court, alleging the company misled the public about the dangers of fossil fuels and delayed its transition to renewable-energy sources. Foushee said the town wants accountability for the damage caused by the delays and the harmful effects of the company's continued reliance on coal and gas.

"For years, Duke Energy Corp. has been working against our public safety," Foushee alleged. "As our town has been working hard to use every tool at our disposal to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change."

Foushee argued the climate crisis has taken a toll on Carrboro's public health and well-being and cost the town millions of dollars. She added while fossil fuels have caused measurable harm, Duke Energy has doubled down on coal and gas use, even constructing new coal plants in North Carolina.

Danny Nowell, mayor pro tem of Carrboro, underscored what he called the depth of Duke Energy's climate deception and the effects it has had on communities.

"Because of their monopoly, North Carolinians had no choice but to trust their deceptions," Nowell contended. "Our trust has been violated, and we have paid for it. We have paid for excess road repairs. We have faced the effects of stormwater, and we will continue to pay for even further expenses as we uncover them."

The Center for Biological Diversity and the nonprofit climate justice group NC WARN are assisting Carrboro with its case.

Jim Warren, executive director of NC WARN, said Duke Energy's leadership needs to be held accountable for what he called its long history of misleading the public and the widespread harm caused by its practices, comparing them to the tobacco industry. He is optimistic the lawsuit could provide relief and accountability for others who have suffered from the harmful effects allegedly caused by the company.

"We all hope this lawsuit can help the many communities down east North Carolina, in the mountains, around the world that have been hurt already by climate disasters," Warren emphasized.

Duke Energy responded to the lawsuit by stating it is reviewing the complaint and remains committed to its customers and communities. The company added it plans to continue collaborating with policymakers and regulators to provide reliable, increasingly clean energy while keeping rates affordable.

Oil and Water Don't Mix, a nonprofit group opposing Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline, is leading student efforts across the Upper Great Lakes to advocate for its shutdown.

The campaign includes eight Michigan universities, with schools in Wisconsin, Illinois and Canada. Opponents argued the aging pipeline, running through the Straits of Mackinac, poses a catastrophic environmental risk if a spill occurs.

Calvin Floyd, a graduate student at the University of Michigan and volunteer student organizer, joined the Line 5 student campaign after first learning about the issue in high school.

"I remember the Kalamazoo oil spill," Floyd noted. "I became aware of the same company is operating a ticking time bomb underneath the Straits of Mackinac and that it had to be stopped."

Enbridge defends Line 5 by citing its economic importance and safety measures, including a proposed tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac and continuous monitoring.

Last month, Oakland University hosted "Bad River," a documentary about the Bad River Band's fight against the Line 5 pipeline, while the University of Michigan screened "Troubled Water," focusing on environmental and social justice.

Floyd pointed out student support for shutting down Line 5 is strong, with a diverse group leading the effort at the University of Michigan.

"It's both in-state students who have a connection to the Great Lakes and to the region and they know the weight of this issue, and it's also folks who come from all over the world who realize both the importance of this resource and how it's under threat," Floyd outlined.

In November, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approved permits for Enbridge's 41-mile reroute of the Line 5 pipeline, bypassing the Bad River Band's reservation. The project faces opposition from the tribe and environmentalists.