Debate Generates Over Ford’s New Gas-Fired Facility

DEARBORN, MI — The public is invited to weigh in Tuesday on DTE’s proposed power-generating plant that will be designed to serve Ford Motor Company’s Research and Engineering Center, which is undergoing a transformation. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is hosting an informational meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. inside the auditorium at Edsel Ford High School with a public hearing following at 7 p.m.

The DTE proposal includes the installation and operation of two new natural gas-fired combined cycle combustion turbine generators with heat recovery steam generators, duct burners and an emergency engine. The new facility will be located at 1641 Caroll Shelby Way East.

Community members, activists and those representing community-based organizations are expected to come speak and address environmental concerns.

Great Lakes Environmental Law Center staff attorney Nicholas Leonard said the permit “falls short of fully investigating not only pollution levels by neglecting to calculate the emissions during start up and shut down of the facilities, but also failed to fully investigate the best achievable pollution control technology.”

Local resident and public health student at UM-Dearborn, Karima Alwishah has questions about the health impact in the region. “Why across from a high school, a mile from Snow Elementary and Beaumont Hospital where children and already ill patients in the hospital will be exposed to air toxins harmful for their health?,” she said. “If this energy is being provided to the open market why can’t it be done through solar panels or energy efficiency?”

According to Amy Schulz, a professor of Public Health at University of Michigan, pollutants that would be emitted from natural gas plants are of particular concern for children and elders, exasperating symptoms of asthma or other respiratory conditions.

“Dearborn, particularly South Dearborn, has exposures to air pollutants that are associated with risk of cancer and respiratory illness that are above the average for the tri-county area," she said. “Any additional sources of air pollution should be evaluated with this context in mind."

MDEQ staff will provide a brief introduction to the proposed project and will answer questions at the informational session. The purpose of the hearing is to take formal testimony and during that time, questions will not be answered. Staff will also be on hand to talk about the project outside of the hearing room.

Concerned residents can also submit comments to the MDEQ via mail addressed to Annette Switzer, Permit Section Manager, MDEQ, Air Quality Division, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, MI, 48909-7760, or at online under “Submit Comment” for DTE Dearborn CEP LLC, PTI no. 144-17 listing.

Edsel Ford High School is located at 20601 Rotunda Drive in Dearborn.