LANSING, MI (March 12, 2019) -- The Michigan Public Service Commission received a recommendation late last week from an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to partially strike down the controversial $328 million rate increase requested by DTE. Michigan Environmental Council (MEC), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Sierra Club are co-intervenors in the rate case before the Public Service Commission and advocated for significant cutbacks to DTE’s request.

Over the weekend a settlement agreement was reached by Consumers Energy and a diverse set of stakeholders on the utility’s integrated resource plan (IRP). If approved, the terms of the settlement would ensure that Consumers: retires Karn coal units 1 and 2 in 2023, conducts a robust early retirement analysis of Campbell coal units 1 and 2 in its next IRP, ramps up investment in energy efficiency and demand response, and greatly increases the use of solar and wind energy within its portfolio. Michigan Environmental Council, along with our partners the Natural Resource Defense Council and Sierra Club, intervened in Consumers' IRP proceeding at the Michigan Public Service Commission and signed onto the settlement agreement. MEC released the following statement in support:

DETROIT - Today, it was announced that the Detroit Renewable Power trash incinerator will be shut down. The incinerator has long been a terrible source of pollution for the City of Detroit and emits toxins like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and lead as well as foul odors. Zero Waste Detroit and Michigan Environmental Council have released the following statement in support of this decision: