The Michigan Public Service Commission gave final approval recently to a nearly $1-billion natural gas-fired plant along the St. Clair River near the Canadian border. The plant was designed to replace power from three coal-fired plants that its owner, Detroit-based DTE Energy, says it plans to retire.
The panel approved three certificates of necessity for DTE Energy. The 1,100-megawatt facility is expected to supply 850,000 homes in Michigan with electricity by 2022. DTE hopes to have its water, air and construction permits by the end of the year so the project can break ground in spring 2019. Completion is planned for 2022.