The “Clean Energy Now” Complete Guide to Submit Public Comments

There are three ways to submit public comment.

In Person

We encourage you to make you comments in person, indicating your support your community and clean air, and why you feel coal is a seriously bad idea.

Electronically

If you are unable to attend the hearing please submit your comments electronically at :

• Begin by clicking here: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/cwerp.shtml
• Find the permit number : i.e. for Wolverine in Rogers City (Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. - Permit to Install No. 317-07).
• Read thoroughly, (all the pertinent information is found here), then at the bottom of the page click on “Submit Comment”

Write a Letter

Mary Anne Dolenhanty, Acting Permit Section Supervisor
Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division
P.O. Box 30260
Lansing, MI 48909-7760

Important Talking Points

Below please find a few talking points that you may wish to consider. All comments must be relevant to the permit under review. There are numerous problems with the plant and the draft permit for it:

Global Warming

• Allows release of 3.5 million tons of greenhouse gases per year
• Contains no limits on greenhouse gases

Soot, dust and smoke (fine particle pollution)

• Worsens asthma and other respiratory disease and causes premature death
• Not enough limits on soot, dust and smoke
• Will prevent future development in the area due to high levels of this pollution

Smog

• Worsens lung and heart problems, including asthma
• Does not require best available pollution controls for smog

Mercury

• Plant will spew 47 pounds of mercury per year into nearby lakes
• Fails to consider how this would harm subsistence fishers
• Fails to protect sport fishers

Clean Fuels

• Fails to consider use of cleaner types of fuel to power the plant

Electricity Demand

• Used an inaccurate and outdated study of electric need
• No consideration of cleaner options for meeting energy needs

Public Participation

• Does not allow the public to review all plans for controlling pollution

Environmental Justice

• Fails to consider harm to tribal populations living and fishing in the area

Always Include The Following in Any Correspondence with the DEQ

• The current date.

• Enclosed, please find my comments regarding the Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. Proposed Air Permit No. 317-07

• Your Name:

• Your Address:

• Your Phone Number:

• Your Email Address:

Sample Letter/Talking Points

Dear Governor Granholm,

Michigan is at an energy crossroads and faces a critical choice. We should be investing in clean, renewable energy —not dirty, coal-fired power plants. Coal is a polluting power source of the past. It's time to move beyond coal and invest in a clean energy economy that protects the environment and creates jobs.

New coal plants will commit Michigan to at least fifty more years of dirty and increasingly expensive, carbon dioxide emitting coal plants and undermines cheaper, homegrown clean energy options. There are better, cleaner solutions. By focusing on increasing efficiency and investing in renewable energy we can make these plants unnecessary, protect our health and embrace the "green" economy of the 21st century. Investing in efficiency and renewable energy technologies available today could create clean, good-paying jobs in Michigan and help boost local economies.

I urge you to issue an executive order that prevents the permitting of more coal plants until stronger protections are put in place against dangerous global warming carbon dioxide pollution.

Sincerely,

DEQ Notice of Public Hearing

http://www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/downloads/permits/PubNotice/317-07/317-07%20NOH.pdf