DTE speeds coal exit, adds natural gas and renewable energy under 2042 plan
Under a new 20-year plan, DTE Energy Co. would accelerate the retirement of its remaining coal plants and replace them with more natural gas and renewable energy production to balance reliability, affordability and sustainability.
The 2042 plan projects a $9 billion investment in the next 10 years to support 25,000 jobs and savings of $1.4 billion to its 2.3 million customers mostly in Southeast Michigan and the Thumb over the long term compared to its previous plan issued in 2019.
“We’re working,” DTE CEO Jerry Norcia said during a virtual briefing, “to get as clean as we can as fast as we can, while keeping our focus on improving reliable and affordable energy to the customers and communities we serve.”
The plan calls for the accelerated retirement of the Monroe Power Plant, the country’s fourth-largest coal-fired plant that provides 30% of DTE’s energy, according to the company. Two units that had been scheduled for retirement in 2040 will go offline in 2028 instead. The final two of DTE’s coal-fired units will end generation in 2035 instead of 2040.
Additionally, the 24/7 coal-fired Belle River Power Plant would convert to a natural gas-powered peaker plant used for times of the year when there is elevated demand like the summer and when there’s extreme weather. The conversion of the two burners takes 90 days each. One will be converted in 2025 with the next to follow in 2026 without noticeable effect to customers, said Trevor Lauer, president and chief operating officer of DTE Electric. The plant had been set to end coal use in 2028.
“That’s going to be really important at times when we have extreme weather or high demand,” Lauer said, “to make sure that if the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing we can make sure we’re providing the power that our residential, commercial and business customers need.”
The Monroe plant property is in a strategic location for the company, Norcia said. The company will examine opportunities for future 24/7 generation there as well as renewables. DTE sees opportunity to use the former St. Clair Power Plant site for its a large-scale energy storage array and potentially renewable energy generation, as well.
The Detroit News
Adam Tindall-Schlicht named Seaway Administrator
The White House announced President Biden’s appointment of former Milwaukee port director, Adam Tindall-Schlicht, as the next Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS). Mr. Tindall-Schlicht resigned his position at Port Milwaukee on October 19.
An agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the GLS is responsible for operation of U.S. portions of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It works in partnership with it’s Canadian counterpart to maintain a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible deep draft waterway connecting Great Lakes ports with world markets and global trade. The agency also works closely with ports to market the Seaway system, develop trade, and enhance commerce in the region.
The U.S. Seaway has been without an Administrator since 2016 when former Ohio Congresswoman Betty Sutton left the post. In April, 2022, forty members of the House and Senate wrote to President Biden urging that the position be filled. Mr. Tindall-Schlicht will be the first Great Lakes port director to serve as Administrator since Dave Oberlin, former Executive Director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. Mr. Oberlin was
Seaway Administrator from 1969-1983.
AGLPA
