Wolverine Power Cooperative sues state over denial of permit for coal plant

In May the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment denied an air permit for a 600 megawatt petroleum coke and coal fired power plant planned by the Wolverine Power Cooperative in Rogers City stating that the plant was not necessary and would drive up electricity rates.

Now Wolverine has filed suit against the state in Missaukee County Circuit Court. The company is asking for a reversal of the denial of their permit application. It is also asking the court to declare unlawful the 2009 executive order in which Governor Jennifer Granholm directed state officials to deny permits for coal plants if reasonable and prudent alternatives exist.

Environmental groups were quick to criticize Wolverine’s legal action.

“Wolverine Coops were told that there was no need to spend billions of dollars to build this plant,” Tom Karas of Michigan Energy Alternatives Project said in a statement, “but management of these utilities won’t pull the plug on the Rogers City coal plant. They want to gamble with their members’ money. Appealing the state’s decision would only make a bad economic story worse for coop members”

“Wolverine should invest in energy efficiency and energy sources that will serve their member cooperatives better by developing cleaner electricity generation and keeping costs lower,” said Susan Harley, policy director for Clean Water Action.