Politics

LANSING - What seems like a relatively mundane change - altering the definition of a wind turbine in several tax laws - has prompted a significant battle pitting energy groups on one side and local governments and public school districts on the other. Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) introduced HB 4570, HB 4571, HB 4572 and

LANSING - It is becoming more and more urgent for employers to review their policies that address off-site work. New proposed rules from the Department of Labor governing exempt employment are likely to go into effect at the end of this year. When they do, they will almost certainly expand considerably the number of non-exempt

LANSING - The Department of Environmental Quality released its plan to improve water quality and uses over the next 30 years, and is now seeking feedback to be sure the plan accurately captures resident's needs, Office of the Great Lakes Director Jon Allan said Tuesday. Because addressing water issues is a long-term agenda, Allan said

LANSING - A bill that would phase out the state's film incentive program was significantly broadened Tuesday to repeal statutory authority for the Michigan Film Office, which long predates the state's 2008 foray into using tax credits to attract productions to the state, as well as the Film Advisory Council. The change clearly concerned the

FLINT - Chemical Engineering and molecular biology students combined their skillsets to solve an open-ended water filtration problem presented jointly by Michelle Ammerman (Applied Biology) and Steven Nartker (Chemical Engineering) in each of their respective classes. The premise: address biological problems in engineering projects and vice versa around the theme of examining the impact of

LANSING - Plotting the locations of geological features, demographic information, transportation options and other data became more accessible with Wednesday's launch of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget's GIS Open Data website. One example of a practical use of the website is the ability to easily cross-reference jurisdictional boundaries with transportation networks and workforce

LANSING - The U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement Monday with Enbridge Energy Company that will incorporate portions of the state settlement over the 2010 oil pipeline rupture into the Kalamazoo River and require some additional work. The settlement puts federal authority behind the state requirements that the company complete any remaining cleanup and

LANSING - A major agreement to change a standing Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit with Ford Motor Company was unanimously approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund board on Monday, and the state hopes the agreement will serve as the framework for discussions with other companies on amending their MEGA agreements. Talent and Economic Development

LANSING - The Public Service Commission on Tuesday directed Consumers Energy Company to submit additional information on its proposed pilot solar distribution generation program and opened the public comment period on the initiative. The utility filed an application in May (Case U-17875) seeking approval of a pilot program including about 100 customers designed to promote

LANSING - Utilities would be allowed to spread the cost among ratepayers of improving and expanding natural gas infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas under a bill the House Energy Policy Committee debated Wednesday. Both Consumers Energy and DTE Energy spoke in support of HB 4303, which would permit the utilities to submit an Infrastructure