MPSC Staff Submits Report Related to Wolverine Power Cooperative's Proposed New Coal-Fired Plant to the DEQ

Contact: Judy Palnau (517) 241-3323

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) staff today submitted its report to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on Wolverine Power Cooperative's electric generation alternatives analysis (EGAA) for its proposed new coal-fired plant near Rogers City in Presque Isle County.  The report found that Wolverine failed to demonstrate the need for the proposed facility to meet its projected capacity.

The utility company filed its EGAA with the MPSC on June 8, as directed in the procedures established in MPSC Case No. U-15958. 

The MPSC staff report, the EGAA, public comments, and exhibits, are available at:

http://efile.mpsc.state.mi.us/efile/viewcase.php?casenum=16000

On April 1, the MPSC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DEQ that clarified each participant's role and responsibility regarding a review process to evaluate electric generation alternatives and provide technical assistance to the DEQ.

The DEQ is charged with determining whether an application filed to construct a new coal-fired electricity generating plant meets the requirements of Michigan and federal air quality laws and requirements.

The MPSC had two tasks, pursuant to the MOU:

·         Providing technical assistance to the DEQ on all matters related to the need for electric generation in the state, as it relates to the analysis that looks at alternatives to coal-fired generation.

·         Reviewing the alternatives analysis to assess whether energy efficiency, renewable energy, or other alternatives meet future electricity needs.

Comments from the public were allowed for a period of 30 days, which ended on July 9.  All comments that were submitted within the public comment period were evaluated by Staff and are contained in the docket for Case Number U-16000.  Issues of concern and/or support were clearly identified and taken into consideration throughout the entire investigative process. Thousands of public comments were received during the 90-day docket period from interested citizens, multiple organizations, and various environmentalist groups expressing their opinion on Wolverine Power Cooperative's EGAA.

Wolverine Power Cooperative is seeking a permit to install (PTI) for a new 600 megawatt Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) subcritical pulverized coal plant.  The proposed plant would be located near Rogers City, on property adjacent to Lake Huron that is currently mined for limestone. 

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.

Case No. U-16000