The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today said it is seeking public comments on Wolverine Power Cooperative's electric generation alternatives analysis (EGAA) related to its proposed new coal-fired plant in Rogers City in Presque Isle County.  The utility company today filed its EGAA with the MPSC, as directed in the procedures established in Case No. U-15958.  Comments are due by July 9th.

The MPSC opened a docket in this matter.  The EGAA is available at; http://efile.mpsc.state.mi.us/efile/viewcase.php?casenum=16000

On April 1, the MPSC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that clarified each participant's role and responsibility regarding a review process to evaluate electric generation alternatives and provide technical assistance to the DEQ.  This MOU satisfies requirements laid forth in the Executive Directive (ED 2009-02), issued on February 3 by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.

The DEQ is charged with issuing permits in response to applications filed seeking authority to construct a new coal-fired electricity generating plant.

The MPSC has two tasks, pursuant to the MOU:

·         Providing technical assistance to the DEQ on all matters related to the need for electric generation in the state, as it relates to the analysis that looks at alternatives to coal-fired generation.

·         Reviewing the alternatives analysis to assess whether energy efficiency, renewable energy, or other alternatives meet future electricity needs.

The DEQ is responsible for reviewing the alternatives analysis to assess the affect of the plants and alternatives on human health and the environment.

Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative Inc. is proposing installation and operation of a 600-megawatt (MW) coal-fired steam electric power plant. The power plant will be located within the Oglebay-Norton Quarry property, Rogers Township, Presque Isle County. The proposed plant will be on property that is mined for limestone.  Modern power plants typically require limestone to operate more cleanly. 

The new facility proposed by Wolverine will be comprised of two 300 MW (net) circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers; an auxiliary boiler; a black start turbine generator; an emergency engine generator; an engine fire pump; cooling towers; fuel, limestone, lime, activated carbon, and ash receiving operations; handling and storage equipment; and other ancillary equipment for boiler start-up and plant safety.

Comments may be e-mailed to mpscedockets@michigan.gov.   Written comments should be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI  48909.  All comments should reference Case No. U-16000, should be consistent with provisions of Order in Case No. U-15958, and must be received by 5 p.m. on July 9.  All information submitted to the Commission in this matter will become public information, available on the Commission's Web site, and subject to disclosure.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.

Case No. U-16000