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Coal-Fired Power Plants

Stop the Michigan Coal Rush!

At least 7 new or expanded coal fired power 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 Michigan is going the wrong way: more than 60 proposed coal fired power plants around the country have been denied or withdrawn in the past few years as scientists, investors and state officials have recognized the enormous environmental and financial risks posed by these proposals.

Weak regulations and expected federal limits on the emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide have led to a rush to get coal plants approved in Michigan now, even though the state won't need any additional electric generating capacity for many years to come.  Coal fired power plants are the largest single source in Michigan of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming.  Coal plant emissions add mercury to our fish, cause asthma and acid rain, and mining coal has devastating impacts on communities, habitat and water quality.

TAKE ACTION!

Sierra Club is working to stop all proposed new or expanded coal fired 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. 

As of April 2008, five coal plant proposals are before the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality seeking approval for air pollution permits, and two others are under discussion:

• Northern Michigan University Ripley Heating Plant, 10 MW, Marquette
• Holland Board of Public Works, 78 MW, Holland
• 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

The Northern Michigan University proposals was put out for public comment and hearing in November and December 2007, and a decision from the MDEQ is expected soon.  The Holland proposal is expected to be put out for public comment this spring, with the other three expected to be made available in the late spring or early summer of 2006.  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.