The general manager of the Holland, Michigan, Board of Public Works Friday said he expects a permit will be issued for the city's proposed 78-MW coal-fired power plant after a judge on Thursday overturned a state agency's denial of the permit.
Loren Howard said he is pleased with the ruling from Judge Jon Van Allsburg of the Ottawa County Circuit Court that found the Department of Natural Resources and Environment improperly denied the permit earlier this year after concluding the city did not need the additional power.
In his ruling, Van Allsburg said the agency exceeded its authority by denying the permit based on the city's need for power rather than on whether the application met state air quality requirements. The judge remanded the decision to DNRE.
In February 2009, Governor Jennifer Granholm directed state agencies to evaluate the need for new coal plants before any permits were issued. Coal currently supplies about 60% of Michigan's electric generation.
Assuming the permit is approved, Howard said board directors and the city council will decide next year whether to build the $240 million plant, which would burn both coal and biomass and possibly petroleum coke. The city also is still considering building a natural gas-fired plant, he said.
Loren Howard said he is pleased with the ruling from Judge Jon Van Allsburg of the Ottawa County Circuit Court that found the Department of Natural Resources and Environment improperly denied the permit earlier this year after concluding the city did not need the additional power.
In his ruling, Van Allsburg said the agency exceeded its authority by denying the permit based on the city's need for power rather than on whether the application met state air quality requirements. The judge remanded the decision to DNRE.
In February 2009, Governor Jennifer Granholm directed state agencies to evaluate the need for new coal plants before any permits were issued. Coal currently supplies about 60% of Michigan's electric generation.
Assuming the permit is approved, Howard said board directors and the city council will decide next year whether to build the $240 million plant, which would burn both coal and biomass and possibly petroleum coke. The city also is still considering building a natural gas-fired plant, he said.
