The power plant at Presque Isle in Marquette, owned by
We Energies, has been the topic of many debates throughout its lifetime, and the latest, over whether or not the plant would be shut down for environmental reasons, has gotten an extension of sorts.
We Energies announced that it and the
Wolverine Power Cooperative, based in Cadillac, have together signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture, which would invest in environmental improvements at the plant.
Part of the debate centers on new air quality control regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency, which the plant wasn't in compliance with. Noncompliance might have shut the plant down by 2017, company officials say. But those regulations have been put on hold at the federal court level, and on the local level, economic development officials and We Energies have been working to find a way to keep the plant open.
The coal-fired plant produces electricity for much of the Marquette area, so issues like power generation, transmission, dependability and cost have been discussed with state and local officials.
The venture between We Energies and Wolverine is meant to address air quality issues and bring the plant into compliance, so that it can have a long-term future in Marquette.
"I was pleased to learn of the partnership between Wisconsin Energy and Wolverine Power. I am encouraged that the Presque Isle Plant will remain operational. Residents and businesses in the U.P. need reliable energy. While I believe the recent decision of the federal court to delay new EPA regulations buys the plant time, I will continue to work with WE and Wolverine, as well as, Governor Snyder and Congressman Upton to ensure the plant remains operational," says the U.P.'s congressman, Dan Benishek, of the announcement.
Economic developers also were relieved at the court decision and announcement, as the plant's closure would mean a hit to the local tax base, lost jobs and potentially non-locally-generated power.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Congressman Dan Benishek
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