A complete list of all programs within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Community involvement and public participation are an essential part of EGLE’s mission, vision, and values.
SARA Title III establishes requirements regarding emergency planning and "Community Right-to-Know" reporting on hazardous and toxic chemicals for federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as regulated facilities.
Resources and information on utilizing RRD's data exchange and the Inventory of Facilities.
An interactive map displaying contaminated sites throughout Michigan regulated under Parts 213, 201, and 211.
This system allows water well drilling and pump installation contractors to submit water well records.
EGLE's interactive calendar is designed to provide timely information on decisions before the Director, proposed settlements of contested cases, administrative rules promulgation, public hearings, meetings and comment deadlines, and environmental conferences, workshops and training programs.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides all persons (except persons incarcerated in correctional facilities) with access to public records of public bodies. Requests to inspect or receive public records from EGLE must be in writing and describe the requested records with enough detail to enable the department to identify and locate the requested records. Some records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA or another statute and thus will not be provided. A fee may be charged to process your request. Please note that many records are available that do not require a formal FOIA request.
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April 25, 2025
Lowrey Middle School’s City Beautify Club in Wayne County organized and designed signs for the Green Parade, a vibrant celebration of sustainability. Michigan's commitment to environmental stewardship in education is thriving, as demonstrated by the recent approval of the 2025 Michigan Green Schools certifications. The program recognizes PreK-12 public and private schools for their achievements in protecting the state’s air, land, water, and ecosystems. The number of certified schools has grown to 358, up from 343 last year. Schools are implementing sustainability practices across four categories that showcase their dedication to creating a greener future: reduce, reuse, recycle; energy; environmental protection; and miscellaneous.
Michigan Green Schools are minimizing waste through comprehensive recycling programs that involve the entire school community. Schools collect materials like paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and printer cartridges, while waste-free lunch programs encourage reusable containers and composting, cutting down on single-use packaging.
Textile recycling initiatives include clothing drives, upcycling projects, and fabric scrap collections for art projects, extending fabric lifecycles. Art classes use recycled materials for sculptures, mosaics, and other creative projects, reducing waste and fostering artistic expression. Digital transitions, such as online communication and digital textbooks, have significantly decreased paper consumption. Schools are expanding composting efforts, including vermicomposting in science labs to teach about decomposition.
Additionally, they prioritize purchasing recycled and biodegradable materials, supporting sustainable businesses, and reducing environmental footprints. Schools also collect electronic waste and host donation drives to reuse school supplies, further promoting sustainability.
Schools are reducing energy consumption and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting with motion sensors, programmable HVAC systems, and energy-efficient appliances, are standard. Solar panel installations are becoming more common, generating clean electricity and providing educational opportunities.
Alternative energy education is integrated into science classes, with students building solar cookers and conducting wind turbine experiments. Energy conservation campaigns, like "Unplug It" and "Stop Car-Idling," encourage behavioral changes among students, staff, and parents. Schools collaborate with energy providers for educational programs on energy efficiency, such as school and home energy audits that identify opportunities for improvement, leading to actionable changes.
Energy management policies and sustainable building practices, such as geothermal heating, high-efficiency windows, and advanced insulation, ensure long-term energy efficiency. Schools are also implementing systems to shut down electronics after periods of inactivity and installing smart power strips to eliminate vampire energy.
Michigan Green Schools prioritize environmental education and ecosystem protection. Schools educate students on clean water, organize watershed field trips, and design water filters to address pollution.
Rain gardens manage stormwater runoff, and rain barrels irrigate landscaping, reducing water waste. Biodiversity is promoted through pollinator gardens, native plantings, and animal habitats. Schools engage with the community through clean-up events at local waterways, tree planting, and agricultural education that teaches sustainable farming.
Schools also monitor local animal populations through community science projects, remove invasive plants to protect native ecosystems, and educate students on the importance of biodiversity.
Schools are implementing a range of creative sustainability initiatives. Environmental literacy is enhanced with updated library resources, interactive digital tools, and educational programs that feature guest speakers. Community outreach includes clean-up events, book swaps, and clothing drives, promoting reuse, and reducing waste.
Outdoor learning spaces, such as gardens, pollinator habitats, and outdoor classrooms, offer nature-based activities like forest bathing and animal tracking. Technology reduces paper waste through digital work orders, improves water efficiency with updated filling stations, and optimizes transportation through GPS bus route tracking.
Schools are also developing programs that educate students on climate change and reducing individual carbon footprints through lifestyle changes and community action.
Fitzgerald High School Garden Club students in Macomb County turn compost piles from leftover cafeteria food and organic scraps from gardening activities. The growth of the Michigan Green Schools program reflects the dedication of educators, students, and communities across the state to environmental stewardship. By empowering students to become environmentally responsible community members, these schools are fostering a brighter, more sustainable future for Michigan.
For more information on how to become a Michigan Green School or support schools in their environmental stewardship efforts, please reach out to the MI Green Schools Coordinator, Samantha Lichtenwald via email at LichtenwaldS@Michigan.gov.
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Percentage of materials recycled reaches new high for fourth consecutive year
While all Michigan households – homeowners or renters – can pursue energy efficiency upgrades, MiHER will prioritize households with incomes at or below 80% of their county’s Area Median Income (AMI). Across the two programs, households are eligible for up to $34,000 in rebates.
On Take Back Day, people in communities throughout the U.S. can drop off unwanted and expired medications at participating law enforcement locations in their area.
Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II will speak today – Earth Day – to more than 1,000 attendees of the third annual MI Healthy Climate Conference, hosted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) at Huntington Place in Detroit.
Program will support state climate goals, lower barriers to clean energy across Michigan
EGLE is pleased to announce the 2025 EGLE Environmental Service Award winners. The prestigious award recognizes exceptional environmental projects in middle and high schools.
The Michigan Invasive Species Program continues to work with MSU and multiple local cooperative invasive species management areas to prevent the northward spread of hemlock woolly adelgid.
EGLE’s Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program will conduct monitoring in 10 water bodies with youth fishing events in 2025.
New tools are benefitting Michigan’s overstressed stormwater infrastructure.
