And we’ll show you two ways to help. Together, we can be a voice for change and protect Michigan’s land, air, water, public health, and democracy.
As climate change drives more intense rainfall and flooding, Michigan’s outdated infrastructure is failing. Michigan is facing a major dam safety crisis, and it’s putting communities across the state at risk.
After heavy rains and extreme weather this spring, many of Michigan’s aging dams have been pushed to – and past – their limits. Several dams in Northern Michigan partially failed or came within inches of disaster, forcing residents to evacuate.
For years, state regulators have warned about the risks posed by aging dams, but haven’t had the tools or resources to address the problem. At the same time, Consumers Energy is moving to sell 13 aging hydroelectric dams to a private equity firm, walking away from long-term responsibility for their safety while locking customers into paying higher costs to buy that same power back.
House Bill 5485 would strengthen dam safety oversight, require stronger emergency planning, and provide funding to repair or remove aging dams, while also holding new dam owners accountable by ensuring buyers have the financial and technical capacity to safely operate and maintain these structures. It gives the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) more authority and tools to reduce flood risk and prevent failures before they happen.
Michigan families shouldn’t be left to fend for themselves when failing infrastructure endangers their physical, environmental, and economic security. EGLE needs the sustained funding required to inspect, monitor, and enforce dam safety standards across the state.