12/22/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
Consumers Energy has canceled the $2.3 billion 830 MW supercritical coal-fired power plant for which it had successfully obtained an air permit in late 2009. The recession and slow economic recovery which have reduced customer demand, a surplus in Midwest generating capacity, and low natural gas prices, were all given as reasons for the decision. The company will also suspend operations of seven smaller coal-fired units on January 1, 2015; two at Karn Weadock, three at J.R. Whiting, and two at B.C. Cobb generating plants. Environmental upgrades at its five remaining coal-fired units are estimated to cost $1.6 billion. The shutdowns and upgrades together will reduce the company’s overall air emissions by 90 percent. Meanwhile, Consumers Energy’s 100 MW wind farm is now under construction in Mason County and will be ready in late 2012, and its 150 MW wind farm in Tuscola County will commence operations in late 2015.
11/4/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is selling its Renewafuel operations near Marquette and returning its $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to Marquette County. The plant has been up and running, producing high-energy, low emission biofuel cubes from wood and agricultural feed stocks designed to help meet renewable portfolio standards and/or air emission limits. Before shutting down, the plant delivered its first supply of biofuel cubes in July to the Marquette Board of Light and Power as a coal substitute.
8/9/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has approved a permit-to-install for the 600-MW, coal-fired steam electric power plant proposed by Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative. This is the first coal-fired air permit in the nation to address greenhouse gas emissions. The power plant will be located at the Carmeuse Lime & Stone Inc. quarry property in Rogers Township, Presque Isle County. The approval follows a January court decision that the legal basis for previously denying the permit (alleged lack of need) was improper. The Wolverine Clean Energy Venture has two components: the base load power plant consisting of two 300 MW units and a wind farm. The Cooperative has contracted with DEWI North America to assess wind data for the proposed site near Rogers City.
7/15/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
Work has begun on a $182 million natural gas-fired combined-cycle cogeneration plant for the Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL). A combination electric and steam utility, with 225 steam customers (including the Capitol building) on its downtown steam loop, BWL is replacing its four coal-fired, steam-generation units at the Moores Park facility. The new unit will generate 100 MW of electricity, with sufficient steam available to serve the existing steam customers and more. The new plant, which includes offices for 180 BWL employees, will be LEED-certified.
3/1/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
The main events for the second annual Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) Conference start tomorrow, March 1. I have checked into the Gaylord National Convention Center Hotel and perused the agenda. How exciting! Topics ranging from rare earths to advanced fuels to zero carbon power will be discussion topics. This is America ingenuity at its best. Efforts to attract talent, both foreign and domestic, to the energy challenge. Funding cutting edge research and development, knowing that some will fail miserably, but hoping a few ideas succeed spectacularly. It is Sputnik time again for the United States. Let’s hope we respond as successfully.
Tags:
advanced energy storage systems,
alternative energy,
ARRA,
biodiesel,
biofuels,
biomass,
carbon neutral,
carbon sequestering,
climate change,
coal fired power plant,
energy efficiency,
energy policy,
global warming,
green energy,
greenhouse gases,
lithium ion batteries,
offshore wind,
renewable energy,
wind energy
Watt's New? Michigan Energy News |
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2/21/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
In recent developments regarding air permitting for coal-fired power plants:
- A court in Missaukee County has ruled that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDNRE) cannot deny an air permit to the Wolverine Power coal-fired project in Rogers City based on a “needs analysis.” [The decision is in agreement with the Ottawa County court decision regarding the Holland Board of Public Works (BPW) project.]
- The MDNRE has granted an air quality permit to install for Holland BPW’s new 78 MW coal-fired, circulating, fluidized-bed power plant.
- Michigan House Democrats have called for the creation of clean coal-fired power plants as one of their top three legislative priorities, and revealed that in March 2009 thirty-three House Democrats sent a private letter to then-Governor Jennifer Granholm asking her to rethink opposition to new coal-fired power projects.
- A bill has been introduced in the Michigan House that would require a decision on air permit applications for coal-fired generation within six months of application or an automatic approval of the application.
12/24/2010
by Bruce Goodman
Michigan’s long time energy generation main-stay has been coal-fired power plants. Prior to the recession almost 60% of the state’s native generation was coal-fired, making Michigan the seventh most coal dependent state in the country. Three recent events which suggest the role of coal in Michigan’s future:
- Ottawa County Circuit Court has ordered the MDNRE to reconsider within sixty days its denial of an air permit for a new 78 megawatt coal-fired power plant proposed by the Holland Board of Public Works, finding that it was capricious and wrong to base the permit decision on need;
- The MDNRE issued an air permit to Lansing Board of water and Light for a new gas fired combined heat and power plant, and citizens asked that it be required to set firm retirements dates for the coal-fired Eckert and Moores Park power plants;
- The MDNRE issued an air permit to Detroit Edison’s fourth largest in the nation coal-fired power plant in Monroe for a pollution control and fuel optimization plan project costing over $1 billion.
The MDNRE decision to deny an air permit for the Wolverine Power Cooperative’s proposed 600 megawatt coal-fired plant in Rogers City remains on appeal in Missaukee County Circuit Court.
9/9/2010
by Bruce Goodman
The Lansing Board of Water & Light has proposed a natural gas-fired combined-cycle cogeneration plant for the city’s Reo Town business district. The project will produce electricity, as well as steam for the city’s 225 steam-loop customers. Replacing the coal-fired Moores Park Steam plant will reduce GHG emissions by 50 percent. The cogeneration electrical output will be 100 MW, and will be augmented by a solar panel array and wind turbines at the site.
8/27/2010
by Bruce Goodman
In May the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE) denied the air permit application for a 600 MW coal-fired power plant proposed by Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative for Rogers City. Now that decision has been appealed by Wolverine to the Missaukee County Circuit Court. The Petition and Complaint allege: improper imposition of a carbon dioxide emission standard; discriminatory and selective approval of coal-fired projects; and a predetermined plan to favor one coal-fired project over another.
8/20/2010
by Bruce Goodman
The Holland Board of Public Works has entered an option agreement for 3000 acres of land in five Allegan County townships that could generate up to 130 MW of wind energy. The installation of wind-measuring equipment has commenced, with construction possibly beginning as early as 2013 if the area has sufficient wind resources. The municipal utility already has three sources of renewable energy; a 1 MW share in a Grayling biomass plant and two 6 MW shares in landfill gas generation. Meanwhile, after waiting three and a half years for an air permit for its proposed new 70 MW circulating fluidized bed boiler coal-fired power plant, the BPW has voted to take legal action to compel a decision by the MDNRE.
