Judge overturns decision by DEQ, now DEQ says the ball is in Wolverine's court
ROGERS CITY, MI -- The stage is set for a new coal burning power plant in Rogers City that would create hundreds of jobs, but it's not a done deal just yet.
This is a story 7&4 news has been following for years.
The state had denied Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative an air quality permit to build a plant based on a lack of need, but last week, a judge overturned that ruling.
Now, state environment officials say they'll allow the plant to move forward.
The Department of Environmental Quality says it will not appeal the judge's decision and they say they're ready to grant the permit.
Now, they're waiting on Wolverine to give them the go-ahead.
"It’s what needs to be done to move the community forward, and the state forward," said Rogers City Manager Mark Slown.
Slown says it's been like a big tease for the city of Rogers City -- will it come, or will it not?
"Any type of work we can get up here would probably be beneficial for everybody," said Posen resident Norm Centala.
In May of last year, the Michigan Public Service Commission reported the need didn't exist for the proposed coal-fired Wolverine power plant, and the permit was denied by the then DNRE. But earlier this month, a Missaukee County Circuit Court Judge said the state cannot deny a permit based on need alone.
"We’re in compliance with the courts at this point; we're not planning to appeal this decision," said DEQ spokesperson Brad Wurfel.
The Department of Environmental quality says they've reviewed the permit application and they're prepared to give the permit to install, which would mean the project could move forward.
"We're waiting to hear back from them and we do plan to work with them as partners," said Wurfel.
In fact, the DEQ says the ball is in Wolverine's court. In a statement from Wolverine, they said this:
"Wolverine has received the opinion from the Missaukee County Circuit Court regarding the air quality permit for the Wolverine Clean Energy Venture power plant development in Rogers City. Our project team is presently reviewing the opinion and working with MDEQ staff to determine our next steps. Wolverine continues to believe the Rogers City location is a world-class site to construct an electric generating facility."
"It definitely would have a significant economic impact," said Slown.
And in Rogers City, where the unemployment floats around 20 percent, the decision couldn't come fast enough for some.
"Without Wolverine Power Plant, it's our last chance," said Terrazas.
Once the DEQ issues the permit to install, Wolverine will have 150 days to begin construction on the proposed plant.
To visit Wolverine Power Cooperative website, CLICK HERE.
To visit the Department of Environmental Quality, CLICK HERE.
