Wait for permit continues for Wolverine
?Still waiting,? is the answer to the question ?what is going on with Wolverine?? As of press time Wednesday morning the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) had not issued its air quality permit?the major permit needed for construction?to Wolverine.
Attempts by the Advance to get comments from the DNRE and the governor?s office went unanswered this week as information on the status of the permit was sought. Of five the power plants proposed in Michigan since 2006, just one has gained approval from the state, and that one came after concessions were made. The 930-megawatt Consumers Energy plant in Essexville gained its PTI December 29, 2009, after the company agreed to begin a phase-out of several older coal-fired plants. Consumers filed its application October 15, 2007.
Wolverine filed its original application September 26, 2007 and revised it January 10, 2008. DNRE officials promised a decision by the end of 2009, but put that off to an indefinite status. Company officials remain hopeful the DNRE will issue the permit soon