Mayor Charles Brunner meets with Pam Binder, left, and Barb Handley Miller at the Brewtopia Coffee Shop on Saginaw Street to discuss energy issues.

---

Gov. Granholm DID NOT Stop All Coal-Fired Power Plants in Michigan

Door Left Open for "Breakthrough Technology" to Prevent Dirty Emissions

February 8, 2009
By: Dave Rogers

Contrary to some news reports and rumors, Gov. Jennifer Granholm did not place a moratorium on all new coal-fired power plants in Michigan.

The governor, in her State-of-the-State address Feb. 3, directed the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) "to evaluate, in consultation with our Public Service Commission, both the need for additional electricity generation and all feasible and prudent alternatives before approving new coal-fired power plants in Michigan."

She added: "One such alternative is developing technology to prevent coal plants from spewing dirty carbon emissions into the air. That breakthrough technology, and others like it, can create jobs here, too."

Consumers Energy, in its plans for a $2.3 billion coal-fired plant addition at the Karn-Weadock facility at the mouth of the Saginaw River, has stated that "clean coal" will be a technological feature of the plant. Details of the initiative have not been fully revealed nor has there been a statement that the governor and the DEQ will accept the proposed plans for Karn-Weadock.

State government has cut electricity use by 23 percent and saved taxpayers some $60 million over the past three years, the governor asserted.

She asked rhetorically: "How did we do it? We installed energy saving light bulbs from Michigan companies in Troy and Detroit. We used Michigan-made heating and air-conditioning equipment from Michigan companies in Kalamazoo and Three Rivers."

The governor has announced a goal of reducing reliance on fossil fuels for generating electricity by 45 percent by 2020.

The state is launching "Michigan Saves," a program to promote weatherizing homes and installing Michigan-made energy efficiency technology with zero up-front charges. "The monthly savings will pay the cost of improvements," she said.

"The demand for wind and solar power in this country is about to explode," said the governor. "We will seize upon this surging demand for renewable energy to increase the supply of good-paying jobs in Michigan."

Local economic development agencies have been meeting with business officials, including Dow Corning Corp., recently, to plan strategies to tap into the state's thrust in the energy sector. An announcement is expected this week of a significant new initiative in this area that could provide significant jobs in the tri-county area.

Bay City Mayor Charles Brunner and former mayor Mike Buda attended the governor's address in Lansing and Mr. Brunner has been meeting with local residents to discuss energy and other topics raised in the speech.

Meanwhile, City Manager Robert V. Belleman said officials have been meeting with Honeywell International on a proposed "Guaranteed Savings Program" for local municipalities and school districts.

The city entered into a memorandum of understanding with Honeywell authorizing the company to review the city's utility consumption and examine facilities for energy efficiencies.

"After examination is done to the study by staff, we will look for cost savings that will benefit the city," said Mr. Belleman. "Honeywell also has provided the city with financing options that could be realized through our savings."