EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Invasive species damage more than the environment in the Great Lakes region. They’re also bad for business.

An analysis released Tuesday by The Nature Conservancy says invasive species such as zebra mussels and sea lamprey cost businesses and consumers hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

Power companies spend $130 million annually removing mussels from 106 electric plants. The report says tourism and other industries lose $50 million a year in reduced demand because of invaders.

Other costs are borne by government agencies that keep lamprey numbers in check and households that must pay to filter their water or remove plants such as water milfoil from lakes.

The study conducted by Anderson Economic Group of East Lansing says the situation will get worse if Asian carp reach the Great Lakes.

Posted 5/30/2012