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Stabenow spells out her goals before retirement

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate on May 18, 2022.
Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate on May 18, 2022.

Protecting the Great Lakes and combatting climate change are two big priorities for Senator Debbie Stabenow before she retires.

The Michigan Democrat told business leaders in Marquette today (Tues) she also wants to make sure a second large lock in Sault Ste. Marie is built.

Stabenow said, “We have one big lock that takes the big freighters coming down from the St. Lawrence Seaway. If that shuts down, we are in deep trouble, and we are on borrowed time. We are lucky that that has not shut down.” 

The new lock is in Phase-3 of construction.

Stabenow noted a fact that keeps her up at night is the Great Lakes are warming faster than the oceans due to the climate crisis. Lake Superior is now one of the five fastest-warming lakes in the world.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.