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Michigan protest in 2018 demanding the shutdown of Enbridge Line 5. File photo.
Judge Orders the Shutdown of Enbridge Line 5 Across Wisconsin Tribal Lands by June 2026. A federal judge has ordered Enbridge to shut down the section of the disastrous Line 5 pipeline that trespasses on the reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians by June 26, 2026.
“While we welcome this decision, three years to decommission this pipeline is too long a time frame and leaves the Tribe at risk of environmental disaster due to Enbridge’s carelessness, mismanagement and unpredictable flooding and erosion,” Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter Director Elizabeth Ward said. “Line 5 is a ticking time bomb; in order to ensure our climate and communities are protected, President Biden must put words into action and protect the Great Lakes from Enbridge's damaged, dangerous, old pipeline by revoking the Presidential permit.” Find more details about the court decision here.
Senator Winnie Brinks (l) meets with Sierra Club volunteers during the May 2019 Lobby Day. File photo.
Become an In-District Lobbyist This Summer. Michigan’s House and Senate will recess for most of July and August, with members spending time in their districts. Now is the time to use your voice to influence your lawmakers and urge them to prioritize environmental issues when they head back to the Capitol. Join our in-district lobbying team and help us make game-changing investments in renewable energy and water infrastructure a real thing. Your voice represents real power in Lansing right now - we need you! Join us by registering here.
Sierra Club's Tim Minotas (r) testifies before the Senate Energy and Environment Committee with Michigan Environmental Council's Charlotte Jameson, NRDC's Darrell Slaughter and Michigan League of Conservation Voters' Nick Occhipinti. Screenshot from Michigan Senate TV.
Energy Bills Get a Hearing in Senate Committee. On Thursday, June 22, Sierra Club’s Tim Minotas testified at the Senate Energy and Environment Committee in support of clean energy legislation. The legislation will push Michigan to dump fossil fuels, increase energy efficiency standards and allow the Michigan Public Service Commission to consider climate change when reviewing utility plans and other projects.
Tim was not alone. The environmental community testified together, giving explanations grounded in policy with specific examples and convincing language. The Chapter is proud to have staffers like Tim representing your interests and advocating for the communities we serve. Watch the entire testimony here.
DTE's Demille Solar Farm in Lapeer County. Photo by Mike Buza.
Evaluation of Solar Use on Farmland. Michigan Chapter Legislative Committee Chair Mike Buza discusses issues around the siting of large-scale solar arrays on farmland in a recent Sierra Club blog article. "It is understandable that there is some concern over food production land being used for other purposes," Buza said. "But this is a complex subject that must be considered in depth." Read the complete blog article here.
Mike Berkowitz (l) and Rhonda Anderson are leaving extraordinary legacies in Michigan as they leave the Sierra Club staff. File photos.
Fond Farewells to Mike Berkowitz and Rhonda Anderson. The Michigan Sierra Club is celebrating the work of two exceptional staff members, Rhonda Anderson and Mike Berkowitz, as they leave their jobs this month. We will miss their day to day presence and extraordinary leadership, but they are both promising to continue as volunteers for which we are tremendously grateful! Read about their impressive careers here (Rhonda) and here (Mike), thank them and wish Mike and Rhonda well in their next roles!
Molly Burhans will speak on July 16 in Ann Arbor. Photo courtesy of Burhans.
Mapping the Catholic Church to Fight Climate Change
Sunday, July 16, 3:00 p.m.
Ann Arbor, in person or by Zoom
Molly Burhans is a visionary young woman with a big idea: that the Roman Catholic Church, the world's largest nongovernmental landowner, should use its properties sustainably and lead the world toward sustainability. The Sierra Club Huron Valley Group is co-sponsoring the program at the St. Mary Student Parish. Find details on the in person event here and the Zoom version here.
Michigan Chapter Political Committee training in 2016. File photo.
Keeping an Environmental Majority in Lansing. In 2022, Michigan voters sent an environmental majority to the Capitol in Lansing for the first time in 42 years. But this is not the time to sit back. Corporate dark money from fossil fuel and other industries is being committed to block progress fighting climate change, protecting the Great Lakes and securing healthy ecosystems and healthy communities. Please consider a gift today to the Michigan Sierra Political Action Committee so we can continue to support the capacity of our dedicated environmental activists as they help elect pro-environment candidates in the coming elections.
After more than 20 years in Lansing's Old Town, the Michigan Chapter office has moved closer to the state Capitol. Photo by Anne Woiwode.
Michigan Chapter Lansing Office Move. As of July 1, the Michigan Chapter has moved our Lansing office to 602 W. Ionia Street, Lansing, MI 48933. The new office space is in the Michigan Environmental Council building, and places our staff and volunteers within walking distance of the Capitol building and state offices. Please update your address book. The office email address, michigan.chapter@sierraclub.org, and phone number, (517) 484-2372, remain the same.
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?
Download the full calendar hereand find out more information here.
Explore and Enjoy: Muskegon's Dune Harbor Park. Meet others who enjoy nature! Bring your friends and join us for a walk at Muskegon County's new park, Dune Harbor Park. The trail is 2.2 miles long and will take about one hour to walk together. If you arrive before the group leaves the parking lot, your $5 parking fee will be paid for by Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.
When: July 12 at 6 p.m.
Where: Dune Harbor Park
Seminole parking lot
2161 Seminole Rd.
Muskegon
What to Bring: Walking shoes, water bottle. Please register in advance at this link.
