The Department of Environmental Quality is reminding those interested that there will be an informational session regarding a draft air permit for a 930-megawatt coal-fired power plant proposed by Consumers Energy in Hampton Township near Bay City. This informational session will be held on Thursday, March 26, from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the Bay Valley Resort and Conference Center, Royal Troon Room, 2470 Old Bridge Road, Bay City.

A panel of DEQ staff will be available to provide information and address questions about the application, the state and federal requirements, the emissions, the draft air permit, and the public participation process.

Formal public hearings on the proposed air permit will take place on April 14 and 15, at the same location. Written comments on the proposed project may be sent to Mary Ann Dolehanty, Acting Permit Section Supervisor, Air Quality Division, Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7760. Comments may also be submitted to the Web page at http://www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/cwerp.shtml (click on "Submit Comment" under the Consumers Energy - Permit to Install No. 341-07 listing). All comments received by May 6, 2009, will be considered by the decision maker prior to final permit action.

Information on the proposed project is available online at http://www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/cwerp.shtml, or by contacting staff of the DEQ's Air Quality Division at (517) 373-2098.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

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