Senator Bishop Questions the "Science" Behind Denial of Clean Air Permit

Sen. Bishop spoke out on the Senate floor today with regard to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s “shocking” denial of a clean air permit for Wolverine Power Company’s proposed plant in Rogers City, Michigan. He’s apparently shocked that the administration actually complied with both the federal Clean Air Act and Granholm’s Executive Directive 2009-2 by conducting a thorough assessment of energy alternatives before issuing permits for new coal plants. Bishop is shocked that the governor would deny the citizens of Northern Michigan the construction jobs the new power plant would provide, even if the new plant would also result in the average customer paying almost $70 more per month for energy.

Bishop’s frustration is palpable, but also unfounded. He said the governor’s justification for denying the permit, on the grounds that the plant was unnecessary and would cause utility rates to rise, was a “bogus claim, not based on any clear science or real information."

Bishop is apparently overlooking the very real scientific analysis, conducted by the state Public Service Commission, which determined the new facility was unnecessary to meet Wolverine Power’s energy capacity needs, especially considering the pattern of decreased energy demand and economic uncertainty Michigan is experiencing. The Public Service Commission’s report also reveals that based on Wolverine’s own cost estimates, construction costs of the new facility would lead to a significant rate increase. The MPSC’s report is available to the public, as is the permit denial letter that was sent to Wolverine Power.

The report is lengthy; perhaps Senator Bishop has not yet had a chance to read it. But he should have taken a look before he accused the administration of making “bogus claims."