The Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant in Rogers City, MI Part 15

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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Thankfully, the executive order was rescinded.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.

click here to view Part 16