The Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant in Rogers City, MI Part 19
Clean Coal = Michigan Jobs
“Put us to work,” was the chant heard in Lansing on October 6th, 2009 when a bus load of Rogers City activists joined a rally on the steps and the lawn of the capitol. Mayor Beach Hall spoke at the rally .
The Advance writes, “The Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council and Protect Michigan, a coalition of the state’s major labor organizations, organized the rally with the support of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Manufacturers Association, and other members of the Michigan Jobs and Energy Coalition.”
ROGERS CITY mayor Beach Hall, the only speaker from the lakefront town, told the audience of the “overwhelming support” the Wolverine Clean Energy Venture has received, including a “Welcome” ad in the Advance from businesses and individuals, 3,500 petition signatures “in a town of 3,300” and 400 yard signs.
Citing the economic well-being of the region and the future power needs of the state, Hall urged Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) “to hurry up and approve Wolverine’s air quality permit so people can be put to work now,” Hall said in his speech.
“For Rogers City and the northeast Michigan counties of Presque Isle, Alpena, Cheboygan and Montmorency, a billion dollar project in northeast Michigan is huge. The possibility of up to 1,700 construction jobs for several years is huge. The possibility of over 500 direct and in-direct permanent jobs, including over 200 jobs supplying biomass for the plant is huge, anywhere, but especially in northeast Michigan.” Hall said local and state tax revenue from the project would increase at no cost to the state.
You can read the entire story here, I was not able to be at the rally, but after reading about it, I realized that it is such a significant picture.
The fact that in the most economically depressed state in the Nation, that a town of 3500 has to mobilize and picket the capitol just to get jobs. It’s sad really.
The Advance reports on an interesting poll, “Seventy-four percent of voters say they support Consumers Energy’s plan, while 72 percent said they would support Wolverine’s project. While the strongest support for these new power plants comes from the regions where they would be located, they receive robust support from all areas of the state.”
The Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant in Rogers City, MI Part 16
Surprise! Michigan doesn’t need Energy!
In Part 13 of this series I covered the governor’s state-of-the-state address where she issued a declaration that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) would be involved with the DEQ in the issuance of air permits. I mentioned that AG Mike Cox forced Granholm to rescind the order, but in a good faith effort, Wolverine compiled a report and sent it to the MPSC in June.
The Advance reports,
“On April 1, the MPSC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DEQ that clarified each participant’s role and responsibility regarding a review process to evaluate electric generation alternatives and provide technical assistance to the DEQ. This MOU answers requirements of an executive order issued on February 3 by Governor Granholm.
In this new directive, the “MPSC is to provide technical assistance to the DEQ on all matters related to the need for electric generation in the state, as it relates to the analysis that looks at alternatives to coal-fired generation.” The MPSC is also to “review the alternatives analysis to assess whether energy efficiency, renewable energy, or other alternatives meet future electricity needs,” states a press release from the MPSC.”
Executive Vice President for Wolverine Craig Borr concluded the story saying, “Think of it as the DEQ using the MPSC as its power supply or electric generation advisor or consultant.”
So even though the report is not necessary since the MPSC cannot approve or deny permits, only the DEQ can, the MPSC came back with an opinion.
The opinion stated that Wolverine did not successfully demonstrate the need for power, and Wolverine offered a scathing rebuttal to the report which you can read here.
I have to admit, when I heard this opinion by the MPSC I was livid because I knew what they had said just a few years previous. This excerpt is from MPSC Issues Summer 2006 Energy Appraisal.
Electricity – This summer’s combined peak demand in the Detroit Edison and Consumers Energy service areas are projected to total 21,365 MW. This demand will be 722 MW above their in-state generating capacity of 19,250 MW, so purchases of power are being made to assure adequate reserves.
It makes me wonder what has happened to the MPSC in three short years?
The Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant in Rogers City, MI Part 15
Here come the politicians
In April, during the County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner, several state lawmakers spoke in favor of the plant and against the Governor.
House Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer stated,
“Our governor seems to have a real problem with coal-fired power plants. When I was sitting in the front row during her State of the State address this year and she said ‘we are going to fight coal by increasing the requirements that the DEQ has in order to approve power plants,’ I just looked at her and said ‘governor, 1,800 jobs in Presque Isle County, what are you talking about?”
“Yet she went on and issued an executive order that changed the law of the state of Michigan by the stroke of a pen that makes it more difficult to operate these plants.” Disturbed by the executive order, Elsenheimer and other state legislators, both Democrat and Republican, petitioned attorney General Mike Cox, to rescind the executive order.”
Thankfully, the executive order was rescinded. What Granholm intended to do with the executive order is to change the air permitting rules. The Attorney General Mike Cox stated,
“Governors can sign bills into law, but they cannot write them. That is the legislature’s job.”
“If the governor wants to pursue changes to the law, the legislature is the proper forum.”
U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak voiced his approval of the plant in a visit as well. He said he has always been impressed with Wolverine’s up -front and honest approach in presenting both the positives of the project and thing that may cause some concern. Speaking about the proposed plant,
“Let me be very clear, I fully support it. I think it is the right thing to do. I think we must have it. I think Wolverine is doing everything they can to make this a positive utility.”
Stupak is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and has been working on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES,) more commonly know as the global warming bill, or cap and trade.
The Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant in Rogers City MI Part 13
Michigan Blown Away
Governor Jennifer Granholm gave her state-of-the-state address in February adding to the obstacles placed in the way of Presque Isle’s economic recovery. You can read the Advance’s story about it here. She pushed for reliance on solar and wind power and energy conservation. Strong conservation habits will be needed precisely because she wants to rely on solar and wind. She introduced a “bold” new “goal” of decreasing the usage of fossil fuels in Michigan by 45% by the year 2020.
“How will we reach this 45-by-20 goal and get the jobs that come with it? Instead of spending nearly $2 billion a year importing coal or natural gas from other states we’ll be spending our energy dollars on Michigan wind turbines, Michigan solar panels, Michigan energy-efficiency devices….” You read that right, she said “instead of.” Granholm’s plan is to eliminate coal-power. If you are keeping score, that puts Granholm on the side of the people who want Rogers City to lose.
“That’s why I have 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.”
I mention this because it will become relevant later in this series. Granholm’s expectation that Michiganders will be able to conserve our way to economic prosperity is a very laughable stance indeed, unless of course you consider the fact that Michigan is and has been the fastest emptying state ever since she came into office.
She also mentions that part of her four point plan is that new jobs will be created when Michiganders winterize their homes. That is a side-splitter. To think that all of us moronic citizens of Michigan haven’t yet thought to winterize our homes and we need the Governor of the state to tell us to do so.
As for Rogers City, the following week a group of citizens traveled to Louisiana to see how a coal plant in construction impacted a small town.
The Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant in Rogers City, MI Part 12
Michigan: Pure, Pristine and Poor
Several things happened in the weeks following the Rogers City public hearings. We learned that due to an error in the public comment ad taken out by the DEQ, the public comment period would be extended to January with another public hearing in Lansing on January 6th. The editorial pages of the Advance were filled again with opinions about the public hearings, the environmental groups, and the job situation. Adding to the mix, Wolverine had a proposal for an additional boat slip at Calcite’s deep sea port in order to ship in coal. The Advance reported that the city was unanimously in favor of Wolverine and Carmeuse (owner of the limestone quarry) working together to get a slip approved that would accommodate two 1,000 foot ships at a time. Right now, Calcite cannot accommodate one 1,000 foot ship, so the benefit to the community would be that more ships would be available to carry Rogers City Limestone products.
As interest in coal plants by the townspeople increased, they learned that a proposed plant in Holland, MI was going to be going through similar public hearings experienced by Rogers City.
In the December 18th Advance, it was reported, “Environmental groups ask governor to halt coal plants.”
“Gov. Jennifer Granholm has been an energy leader and this is her opportunity to slam the brakes on Michigan’s one-of-a-kind coal rush, protect the health of our families and create 21st century green energy jobs,” said Anne Woiwode, state director of the Michigan Sierra Club. “The writing is on the wall for coal. Gov. Granholm has long recognized this and she can now provide the leadership our state needs to jump-start our move away from coal and toward clean, renewable energy.”
Another excerpt reads,
“If allowed to move forward, the Wolverine Clean Energy Venture will have significant financial impact on the area and statewide. Wolverine has stated the capital investment will be around $1 billion, doubling the state equalized value (SEV) of Presque Isle County.
Construction of the power plant will create 1,000 temporary jobs, and 100 permanent positions will be filled to operate the plant, which may be in operation as soon as 2012, according to Wolverine. Jobs in engineering, plant operations and plant maintenance will be created at salaries ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 per year plus benefits.”
I chose those two excerpts because that is the main argument here. On the one hand, the environmentalists want to kill coal, on the other, one of the most severely economically depressed areas of Michigan would potentially boom.
In the January 8th edition of the Advance, the Lansing hearing was reported. You can read the story here.
Since the hearing was held in Lansing, a number of state representatives had their say, including State Representative Andy Neumann of the 106th Congressional District spoke first.
“I have lived my whole life in northeast Michigan in Alpena and spent much of my youth in the Rogers City area. I know many of the struggles that the community and all of northeast Michigan has faced especially over the past two decades where we have had some of the highest unemployment rates across the state. As a matter of fact, Rogers City, or Presque Isle County had unemployment rates last winter of close to 20 percent. And most certainly this coming winter with our economy unemployment rates will probably reach the mid 20 percent range.”
“This proposed plant would be one of the cleanest in the United States it would also have the added advantage of burning up to 20 percent carbon neutral fuel by using locally produced biomass. This proposed plant by burning just 10 percent biomass would produce 350 critically needed permanent full time jobs. By burning 20 percent this plant would produce more than 500 jobs. This plant would also double the state equalization value of Presque Isle County. If we do not allow this plant, coal-fired plants will be permitted in other states, which are currently being built. And they will be in places that we are going to have to import our power from, places we are going to be sending our money to, places that are going to have the jobs we could have, places that are going to control this power source that we could control. I would hope the DEQ and the state of Michigan would allow this permit process and help move this forward,” said Neumann.
103rd District State Representative Joel Sheltrown gave an interesting thought, “…there are some that would wish that northern Michigan would remain pure, pristine and poor.”
The Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant in Rogers City, MI Part 11
Public Hearings
C. Vinson Hellwig, Chief of the Air Quality Division of the MDEQ was seated with moderator and former Rogers City Mayor David Nadolsky to recieve comments from the concerned public at the public hearings on October 29th and 30th, 2008. The bleachers were packed with many locals and of course, the environmentalists. In all, 86 different people testified, the Advance mentions, “Although all commentators didn’t comment directly on the air quality permit, there was no shortage of opinions given over two days of testimony. More than 600 attended the first session, many in white T-shirts with support for Wolverine, far out-numbering those in opposition. Around 200 attended the second night, with barely 75 people left in the gymnasium when the session ended at 10:30 p.m.”
These two evenings were filled with intensity and as a person interested in politics and human behavior, it was fun. To me, the most notable things that happened were the most heartfelt testimonies given by some of the locals.
See, throughout this process, the ever-looming threat that this may not become reality had become the elephant in the room for many. I grew up in this small town as did many of the most ardent supporters of the plant. Many locals were absolutely disgusted with the environmental groups for their condescension and lack of economic logic. Some of the testimony certainly was just opinion by locals but for that matter, so was the testimony given by the environmentalists. I had decided to speak on the 29th, but as I watched local after local give logical reasons why the permit should be given, including the fact that the DEQ already said it was safe, I could see that what I had to say must be directed at testimony given by the environmentalists. It looked like most of that testimony may come on the second day.
A local man gave testimony directed at the environmentalist job killers. It was very logical and it sticks in my mind because of it’s rationale. He said something like, “I have lived here all my life, I have a very large extended family here, and every one of us has come up against the DEQ for something, digging a pond, clearing land and so on. They are so good at what they do to protect the environment, that a lot of us have gotten hot under the collar against them. Do you really think they would allow toxic pollutants at high levels for this power plant?”
I spoke as well, I wanted to use the 5 minutes to make sure the environmentalists knew we were not stupid. As I was sitting and waiting for my time to speak, I happened to be seated directly behind two people, a man and a woman, who had papers in front of them. I thought they must be prepared to speak as well, so I peeked at their papers. Both papers were exactly the same and I realized they were prewritten speech samples from some environmental group. They both started with the sentence, “Hi, my name is ______ and I live in the nearby town of ___________.” Both papers were nothing but fear-mongering about the “inevitable” blood cancers and internal bleeding and tumors and so on. As I changed seats, I looked over at the man and noticed that he was the same guy who testified the night before who said he was from Millersburg and was “living on savings.” Now, I knew he was full-of-it because nobody would live on savings in MBurg at his young age and be against the coal plant. It is very difficult to believe that. Plus, I took a picture of him the night before and he had a different mustache the second evening. All of the environmentalist games were being played. Representatives from the environmental group, The Michigan Land Institute were also there from across the state near Interlochen. Every single man in that group (I had to giggle) were wearing plaid shirts in various colors, they must have all hit the same sale. They were no doubt “trying to fit in” with the locals. Lee Sprague took the cake in my view though.
Lee is the representative from the Sierra Club, a native American who stands about 6′ 5″ and wears his hair in two long braids. He is a very impressive figure. He had up to this point been a very embarrassing questioner of the DEQ who took swipes at their professionalism and expertise. When Lee gave his testimony, it was obvious to those who had been paying attention that he was still beating the mercury drum. That was his main focus in almost all of the public hearings so far. After his sob story about going fishing with his son, my husband and I didn’t know whether to be embarrassed for him, or laugh uncontrollably. In his testimony, Sprague told a story of when he went fishing with his son. His son caught a fish and he had to tell the boy that he could not eat the fish. His boy said dad, we must eat what we kill. He replied, no son we must not. Lee asked how can I tell my son he cannot eat the fish because of the high levels of mercury that get absorbed into the fish? Because of the mercury levels, he can’t eat Michigan fish anymore. He also pointed out that as a Native American, everyone should understand that people of his ancestry always do what is right for the environment.
Now, we already knew at this point that the DEQ had done work to predict the amount of mercury that could possibly be emitted and that the nearest impact-able lake was Swan Lake and the levels with this plant would still be very low. Of course, due to dissipation, there really was no other impact-able lake. Besides the only reason we were there was to comment to the head of the DEQ about the air quality permit, not the water, but, that didn’t matter to the experts at the Sierra Club. As for the claim that we were supposed to trust his word over the DEQ because of his ancestry, my husband commented to me about how devastated the lakes have become after all the gill-netting.
My testimony was aimed at the environmental groups. I don’t remember what I said verbatim, but it was something like this.
I ask that the DEQ approve the permit for Wolverine Clean Energy Venture. I would like to address an argument that has been given against the plant by the Michigan Energy Alternatives Project. The idea that if the wolverine plant is built, your energy rates will double. Ladies and Gentleman, if they do, it is because the Sierra Club and Citizens for Environmental Inquiry and the Michigan Energy Alternatives Project will bleed Wolverine with lawsuit after lawsuit. It is on THEM. The people of P I county have spoken and open their arms to Wolverine. All the governmental representatives of this county have overwhelmingly pushed to support Wolverine including my own township, whose officials recently signed a resolution of support.
These outside groups, and believe me, the Citizens for Environmental Inquiry are not local, though their representatives are, have promised to kill this plant. The Sierra Club has no threshold. They are not here to get the company to lessen it’s output, they are here to make certain there is no power plant. They will bring lawsuit after lawsuit against Wolverine to drain capital in defense, and in the mean time, they will use scare tactics against our townspeople to lessen the community support. You will hear words like cancer and carcinogens and quote, “save that person from drowning to death slowly in his own blood.” Actually, I don’t know what that means, I just read it while I was sitting behind those two people ( I turned and pointed) who have papers that say exactly the same words verbatim, and both copies state an opening that says Hello I’m such and such and am currently a resident of Presque Isle County. Only that guy in the brown hat spoke last night and said he was from Millersburg and he has it crossed out of his speech tonight I see, so I know that’s a lie.
I will read from an LA Times article from April 14th, 2008 that states,”Every time a new coal-fired power plant is proposed anywhere in the United States, a lawyer form the Sierra Club or an allied environmental group is assigned to stop it, by any bureaucratic or legal means necessary.
They might frame the battle as a mater of zoning or water use, but the larger war is over global warming…..The plant by plant strategy is part of a campaign by environmentalists ……..The goal: ‘We hope to clog up the system.’ said David Bookbinder, the Sierra Clubs chief climate counsel…….” (I discuss this article in Part 7 of this series and the fact that the LA Times erased it from the website, however at this time, the article is made whole.)
I also pointed to the Sierra Club’s website where they brag about how many coal plants they have killed . As you can see here, they are still focused on shutting this down and are praising Jennifer Granholm for taking steps to kill it as well, but that part of the story will come later.
Standish Town Hall–Dealing with Granholm
There was a town hall meeting in Standish, Michigan today regarding accepting Guantanamo Prisoners in the maximum security prison there, the area’s largest employer. I was not able to be there, but my friend Tim Sumner of 911 Families For a Safe and Strong America has a detailed story about it. Tim and Debra Burlingame head up the aforementioned 911 website, and Deb spoke today at the Standish town hall. Debra Burlingame is the sister of the pilot of the airliner that was flown by terrorists into the pentagon on September 11th, 2001.
When I looked at my email this evening, I found a message from Move America Forward. It is below in it’s entirety, but I have one tiny problem with it. I explain the disagreement below.
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STANDISH, MICH. RESIDENTS TURN AGAINST OBAMA
Move America Forward
NO GITMO TERRORISTS IN AMERICA!MICHIGAN RESIDENTS FIGHTING BACK AGAINST LEAKED OBAMA PLAN TO BRING TERRORISTS TO THEIR COMMUNITY
In Standish, Mich., site of a nearly vacant prison, residents are beginning to realize that the Obama Administration is serious about bringing terrorists to the United States, where they will quickly achieve the rights that should be reserved ONLY for Americans and those legally here.Jennifer Granholm, the governor of Michigan, fears for her political life. She has been desperately seeking an alternative to the Obama plan, such as California or Pennsylvania sending prisoners to the Standish correctional facility. With recent news that California can’t afford to pay the costs of housing their inmates in Michigan, the governor is running out of ideas.
Fortunately, residents of Standish are starting to recognize that it isn’t worth the risk of bringing more than 230 of the most dangerous Islamic radicals in the world to a small town that could be potentially vulnerable. Not only will these Islamic extremists try to recruit from within the prison population, think of the undesirable elements that will come to town to be close to these murderous cut-throats.
In Standish, Mich., restaurant owner David Munson is organizing a community forum to oppose the potential transfer of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the local prison, which is facing budget cuts and likely to shut it down. “We don’t want the Guantanamo people there,” he told FOXNews.com. “And we felt like the situation was moving way too quickly to bring the Guantanamo people here.”
Obama is trying to shove Gitmo on America without listening to the opposition from the American people, just like he did with the bailouts, the take-over of the auto industry, the trillion dollars of wasteful spending and now his health insurance bill that would lead to a complete federalization of medicine. Too fast, no accountability, no communication with stakeholders, like the American people who might be under attack, and no consideration of the danger posed by these detainees.We can choose to put our own national security at risk, or we can continue to hold the terrorists at Gitmo, where an ideal facility has been built that abides by all international laws and is tailor-made for the purpose of housing these evil terrorists. The choice seems obvious: If it’s not BROKEN, don’t try to FIX IT!
The only reason Obama has for doing this is to appease his fringe left-wing constituency, which would like to see the terrorists go free, and to reassure weak-kneed European governments that America would rather be an appeaser than a strong leader. But we cannot do it alone. We need your support so we can keep the fight going before it is too late and terrorists are literally on your doorstep.
Move America Forward is fighting to
keep GITMO where it belongs, IN GITMO!
We do not want GITMO in AMERICA, make a contribution
today to keep the terrorists out of the U.S.!
The FOX article says that the organizer of today’s town hall meeting was an early supporter of bringing the terrorists over to Standish, but after talking to Representative Pete Hoekstra, he changed his mind.
Hoekstra, he said, told him the presence of Gitmo detainees could endanger the lives of prison guards and their families as well as the entire community, which would become the target of jihadists.
Earlier this week, Hoekstra said that Obama’s administration has been making wild claims to the locals, trying to sell them on the idea that they will reap massive economic benefits from housing the terrorists. His stimulus plan has already been proven to be a failure, just a big waste of taxpayer money. Now he is trying to bamboozle Americans into thinking it is good for the economy to have terrorists in our country.
Last week, the Michigan Republican sent letters to Attorney General Eric Holder and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, asking them to allow him to lead a delegation of state officials and media to the Guantánamo prison to gain a better understanding of associated risks. But he said he hasn’t heard back from either of them. “I’m getting a little frustrated with the administration,” Hoekstra said. “They’re making all kinds of promises and ‘commitments’ to local officials that they’re not willing to share with Members of Congress. I think it’s flat out wrong.”
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Now, I don’t have a problem with Move America Forward, I love them, they are focused and fighting this fight seemingly alone. However, I have to disagree with this paragraph,
“Jennifer Granholm, the governor of Michigan, fears for her political life. She has been desperately seeking an alternative to the Obama plan, such as California or Pennsylvania sending prisoners to the Standish correctional facility. With recent news that California can’t afford to pay the costs of housing their inmates in Michigan, the governor is running out of ideas.”
Call me cynical, but Jennifer Granholm is not in fear of the end of her career. She is Barry’s girl! She is exactly like him. There is an old saying, “As Michigan goes, so goes the nation.” Isn’t it obvious? Michigan has been steadily worsening since Granholm came aboard, and now, America is following suit.
Here is the real progression of this story. Earlier this spring at the Mackinac Public Policy Conference on Mackinac Island, the idea of bringing Gitmo prisoners to the Manistique Prison in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, was bandied about by Representative Bart Stupak (D) and John Engler, former Republican Governor of Michigan. I was appalled by the idea that a Republican would agree to such a thing as endangering his fellow Michiganders. “He described it as an innovative way to attract federal money and reduce the state’s chronic budget deficit.” Ugh.
So naturally, the individualists of the first district raised a hell of a fuss, and Stupak backed off. I haven’t heard from Engler.During July, we heard that perhaps the Gitmo prisoners were to be housed in Standish. The idea was that in order to keep the prison from closing, Standish needed to either attract prisoners from other states, or think about housing Gitmo prisoners. The people of Standish weren’t happy about their situation, but the families there depend on the prison to stay open. Representatives from California prisons and Pennsylvania prisons came to check out the feasiblity of sending some prisoners to Standish. Just a few days ago, the other states had the same story. Michigan is asking for too much money to take in other state’s prisoners. Oh, and poor Jennifer Granholm is just distraught. She is just hurting so, because it is tough enough that the prisons have to shut down due to budget cuts, but she also just really thinks that housing Gitmo prisoners poses such a security threat to fellow Michiganders. Sure.
So, where are we now? Michigan’s prisons are shutting down and the only way they can possibly stay open and keep Michigan jobs is to accept the most vile, evil pieces of excrement on the face of the planet.
Jennifer Granholm has the people of Standish by the short and curlies.
Cross posted at Right Michigan.
