Dearborn Industrial Generation Plant retracts request for expansion permit

Citing community concerns, the Dearborn Industrial Generation (DIG) plant in Michigan has pulled an expansion permit request to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

“We take the community’s environmental protection concerns very seriously,” Richard Mukhtar, President of CMS Enterprises–the plant’s owners–said. “That’s why we will immediately begin the process to rebuild trust with area neighbors and stakeholders fostering more communication and collaboration as we look to the future.”

DIG had originally submitted their request in April 2017, with eyes on the addition of a new unit. Stakeholder groups and neighbors responded negatively, warning of public health and air quality concerns in a recent public hearing. Legislative leaders from the area commended the plant’s decision to listen to the community and rescind their effort while pressing for healthier efforts in the area.

“This community is very worried about the environment they live in, and the number of young children living in and attending school in this area is a significant reason to understand the consequences of decisions being made,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) said. “We need to ensure that we can provide reliable, affordable energy to all Michiganders, but the need for clean air for our communities is equally important. Going forward we must all work together to ensure both.”

The plant has another request pending with the MDEQ that would modify existing limits of their ability to produce power from natural gas.