ROGERS CITY, MI -- The Department of Environmental Quality has approved an air quality permit and gives Wolverine Power Cooperative the go-ahead to move forward with their plans to build a coal-fired steam steam electric plant near Rogers City, that's in Presque Isle County.

The DEQ announced their decision Wednesday morning.

Wolverine Power Cooperative issued this statement to 7&4 News today:

"Wolverine Power Cooperative is pleased with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s (MDEQ) decision to issue an air quality permit for the Wolverine Clean Energy Venture power plant development.  We are currently evaluating the conditions included in the final version of the permit. 

While the MDEQ’s approval of the air quality permit is a significant milestone, we have more work to do, including a thorough financial and rate evaluation and a decision by our board of directors on whether to proceed with the project.  We remain committed to our mission of supplying reliable electricity at a competitive price to our members."

The permit was initially denied in 2010 for failing to demonstrate the need of the plant.  A judge later ruled that this reasoning was not sufficient to deny the permit.