The state will be fining and penalizing Oakland County over a sewage dispute that has been ongoing for months.

The project hopes to save costs and reduce emissions

More than $1.1 million in grants have been awarded to 17 coastal management projects and programs in Michigan.

DETROIT Michigan regulators have rejected a suburban Detroit county's plan to convert state waters into an open-air sewage treatment lagoon. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said Friday it had denied Macomb County's application to place the structure at the end of the Chapaton Retention Treatment Basin. Among them: removing illicit sewer connections, addressing failing septic systems and filtering stormwater tributaries to the Chapaton Retention Treatment Basin through upstream green infrastructure projects. Officials said they also had concerns about a potential public nuisance created by an open-air sewage lagoon so close to existing residences, boat launches and a marina. Read more: Looking for coronavirus (COVID-19) clues in Macomb Countys raw sewage

LANSING, Mich. Do you have the juice to drive along Michigan streets, roads and highways? The state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) wants to make sure operators of electric vehicles have enough places to plug in. Nearly $1.7 million in EGLE Charge Up Michigan Program grants will partially fund 36 EV DC fast charging stations with a total of 76 plug-in points for automobiles and light-utility vehicles along well-traveled routes. Public and private entities still can apply for EGLE grants of up to $70,000 per station. Funding for the grants comes from more than $9.7 million allocated to Michigan from the Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement.

Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference on Wednesday to provide an update on the state’s response to the historic flooding event in Midland County. “This flooding forced thousands to evacuate their homes, destroyed public infrastructure, ruined homes and businesses, and caused major natural resource damage,” said Governor Whitmer. The Kriegers and Sperlings own adjacent properties and homes on the banks of the Tittabawassee River less than a mile south of the Edenville Dam. Whitmer extended the state of emergency for Midland County to include three additional counties last weekend. U.S. President Donald Trump approved a federal emergency declaration for Midland County last Thursday.

The head of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Liesl Eichler Clark, talked about the agency’s long list of troubles. And this year’s election could bring a record turnout in Michigan. We also spoke with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Segment One:Head of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Liesl Eichler Clark. Segment Two:Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

OAK PARK, Mich. - Lead levels exceeding state limits were found in water samples taken from Oak Park. "The quality of our drinking water is vital to the health of Oakland County residents," County Executive David Coulter said. Those who qualify can pick up free kits can be picked up from 4-7 p.m. Thursday from Oak Park City Hall at 14000 Oak Park Blvd. Residents who have questions about water testing or service lines can contact the Oak Park Water Department at 248-691-7470. Health-related questions can be directed to the Oakland County Health Division's Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 from 8:30 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday or online at oakgov.com/health.

PFAS increasingly have turned up in public water supplies and private wells around the country. Gretchen Whitmer's administration is proceeding with plans to set what may be some of the country's strictest and most far-reaching limits on "forever chemicals" in drinking water. The state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy announced Friday that it is moving forward with formal rule-making for certain PFAS compounds. PFAS increasingly have turned up in public water supplies and private wells around the country. They are used in firefighting foam, nonstick pots and pans, water-repellent clothing and many other household and personal items.