Lawmakers call for governor to support power plant project
by Richard Lamb, Advance Editor
Three northern Michigan legislators said they are working best they can to speed the permitting process for Wolverine Power?s proposed power plant in Rogers Township. Speaking at the Presque Isle County Lincoln Day dinner, State Senator Jason Allen (R-Traverse City), Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) and House Republican Leader Representative Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Bellaire) each said they support the prospect of the power plant?s construction.
Allen said the power plant is an important part of how the state will generate power for the next generation and called on Governor Jennifer Granholm to support the plant. He said it is necessary to work through the ?dysfunctional regulatory environment,? proposed by the governor in an executive order, since rescinded, which was issued earlier this year.
?We are pushing very hard with the governor. The governor has got to recognize that we are going to need base-load plants and this is a part of that mix,? Allen said. ELSENHEIMER VOICED his displeasure in the governor?s actions.
?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?? Elsenheimer said.
?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.
?I?m glad to tell you today that the attorney general said the governor does not have that power. That has helped move that plant along even more quickly. We need that plant and we need it here now, regardless of the governor?s position,? Elsenheimer said to applause at the Lincoln Day banquet.
Rep. Elsenheimer also offered praise for Sen. Allen. The Republican leader said the area would lose a great voice when Sen. Allen, who is term-limited, leaves the state senate. ?Everyone in Lansing knows that if you really want to get a project done, you talk to Jason Allen, because Jason Allen is the one who gets things done,? Elsenheimer said. Rep. Schmidt, who serves on the energy and technology committee in the state house, said he is committed to the Rogers City power plant.
?I UNDERSTAND THE importance of it. Whether it is h
?We have to be sure that plant continues to move forward. Not only will it be good jobs for Presque Isle and Rogers City, it will be good for all of northern Michigan.? Jeff Lamb, chairman of the Presque Isle County Republican party, introduced Ann Norlander, candidate for secretary of state. Norlander is the current Calhoun County clerk and register of deeds, elected to the post in 1988. Prior to that, she served as Calhoun County commissioner.
Lamb also awarded a $500 scholarship to essay winner Bonnie Schmitz of Posen High School. Schmidt wrote on the subject ?Why should people be involved in politics early in life.? The banquet took place at the Bismarck Township Hall and was attended by many elected officals and party supporters.