The Department of Environmental Quality is reminding those interested that there will be formal public hearings regarding a draft air permit for a 930-megawatt coal-fired power plant proposed by Consumers Energy in Hampton Township near Essexville. The public hearings will be held on April 14 and 15, with formal testimony taken at that time.

On April 14, a public hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Bay Valley Resort and Conference Center, Royal Troon Room, 2470 Old Bridge Road, in Bay City. Staff will be available to answer questions prior to the hearing from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in an open-house format.

Additional public hearings will be held at the same location on April 15, starting at 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. Staff will be available to answer questions prior to the hearing from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in an open-house format.

Written comments 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 from 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.

For more information, go to http://www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/cwerp.shtml or contact 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.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised April 9, 2009 by Pat Watson