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Gretchen Whitmer

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor of Michigan

Appears in 3 stories

Born: 1971 (age 54 years), Lansing, MI
Party: Democratic Party
Previous offices: Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2011–2015), Member of the Michigan Senate (2006–2015), Michigan State Representative (2003–2006), and more
Spouse: Dr. Marc Mallory (m. 2011)
Parents: Sherry Whitmer and Richard Whitmer
Office: Governor of Michigan

Notable Quotes

"Enbridge has imposed on the people of Michigan an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic oil spill." — Whitmer, November 2020 revocation announcement

"With these bills, we're lowering costs, protecting public health, creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and ensuring Michigan leads on clean energy." — Statement at signing ceremony, November 2023

Stories

Great Lakes carp barrier begins in-water testing near Chicago

Built World

Committed Michigan as a funding partner

For more than a century, an artificial canal has linked the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. That link is how invasive carp could reach the Great Lakes. This week, crews lowered the first permanent piece of a barrier built to close that door.

Updated 6 hours ago

Enbridge Line 5 pipeline shutdown fight

Rule Changes

Executive driver of shutdown effort

Two 20-inch oil pipelines have been pumping crude under the Straits of Mackinac since 1953, and Michigan has spent seven years trying to shut them down. On April 22, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the company defending the pipelines, Canadian operator Enbridge, gets to fight that battle in federal court, not the state courthouse Michigan picked.

Updated May 31

Michigan's renewable energy siting law shifts power from townships to state regulators

Rule Changes

Signed PA 233 into law; facing legislative and legal pushback

For decades, Michigan townships controlled solar and wind siting until November 2023, when Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Public Act 233, empowering the Michigan Public Service Commission to override stricter local zoning rules. Nearly two years in, the law is operational with five projects under review, locals filing lawsuits, and counties like Huron rewriting ordinances to keep their seat at the table.

Updated May 29