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Stop the Michigan Coal Rush

Stop the Michigan Coal Rush!

Wolverine Power Cooperative Air Quality Permit Public Comment Period Extended to 6 January 2009; Holland BPW air permit is now also out for public comment through 30 Jan 2009 - see updates at Clean Energy Now website

At least 8 new or expanded electricity generating coal plants are being proposed in Michigan today, making the Great Lakes State one of the coal industry’s top targets.  Michigan is going the wrong way: more than 70 proposed coal plants around the country have been denied or withdrawn in the past few years as scientists, investors and state officials have recognized the enormous environmental and financial risks posed by these proposals.  Download this slideshow (approximately 1MB PDF) to see current details on all 8 coal plant proposals.

Sierra Club is working to stop all proposed new or expanded coal plants in Michgan, and we are working with local groups and community leaders throughout the state who are calling for a halt to coal plant proposals now.  You can help -- at local land use hearings, by educating your neighbors, and by joining efforts to convince the state to stop these proposals. 

Eight coal fired power plants are being proposed in Michigan.  The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has already scheduled public comment periods and public hearings for two of them.  Details are below. 

• Northern Michigan University Ripley Heating Plant, 10 MW, Marquette

• CURRENTLY OUT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: Holland Board of Public Works, 78 MW, Holland

• CURRENTLY OUT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: Wolverine Power Cooperative Clean Energy Ventures, 600 MW, Rogers City

• LS Power Mid Michigan Energy, 750 MW, Midland

• Consumers Energy Karn Weadock Generating Complex, 960 MW, Essexville

• M & M Energy Park, Alma (no permit application yet)

• Tondu's TES Filer IGCC Repower, Filer Township (no permit application yet)

• NEW AS OF MAY 12: Lansing Board of Water and Light, 350 MW, Delta Township (no permit application yet)

The Northern Michigan University air permit was issued by DEQ and is being challenged by Sierra Club through the Environmental Appeals Board at the Environmental Protection Agency.  The Wolverine Power Cooperative proposed permit was put out for public comment on September 23rd, hearings will be held October 29th and 30th in Rogers City, and public comments will be accepted until November 24th.  The Holland proposal is expected to be put out for public comment in November, with the other two expected to be made available in early 2009.  MDEQ has committed to enhanced public input opportunities, including hearings and extended comment periods for each proposed permit, but has also rejected requests that they regulate carbon dioxide emissions, a major global warming contributor, from these facilities.   

Please join us in this effort!  Contact Lee Sprague, Sierra Club Clean Energy Campaign Manager, to learn more about this effort.