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.