Michigan DNRE Deserves Applause for Wolverine Coal Plant Decision

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment has delivered a decision that deserves applause from clean energy supporters far and wide.

The DNRE has announced the denial of an air permit for a new coal plant near Rogers City, as proposed by Wolverine Power.

The decision comes after a 2009 Michigan Public Service Commission report that detailed the declining electric service demand in Michigan and the decisive lack of necessity for new baseload power generating plants. 

"Despite this lack of demand, Wolverine sought to proceed with a multibillion dollar project that would have been paid directly by ratepayers on their monthly energy bill," said Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. 

"The department estimated that the new plant would result in a 59% increase in the average residential customer's power bill, which translates to as much as $77 per month.

"This irresponsible increase in costs to consumers is unacceptable during these difficult economic times, especially when energy efficiency programs around the state designed to help consumers use less energy and save money have not reached their full potential. 

"Lawmakers should heed this decision by the DNRE and use this opportunity to promote increases in energy efficiency, as well as the development of renewable energy from sources like solar and wind."

Here's the official announcement from the DNRE, and a statement from the Michigan Environmental Council. 

"We are protecting hundreds of thousands of Michigan homeowners, businesses, and farmers from paying a whopping increase in their electric bills, which would have been among the highest in the nation," Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm said in a statement. 

"The cost of doing business in Michigan would have skyrocketed, and despite the short-term gain from its construction, this project would have been a job-killer and a roadblock in our efforts to bring new economic development investments to Michigan."

--- Photo via Flickr.