Pettalia introduces bill to speed applications for coal plants
The state would have six months to rule on applications for coal-fired electric generating plants in Michigan under the first bill introduced by freshman lawmaker Rep. Peter Pettalia. House Bill 4107 establishes an automatic state approval of the application if the state does not respond once the filing is administratively complete.
?The state’s recent history with processing the electric generation plant applications was outrageous,? said Pettalia, of Presque Isle. ?Regardless of the individual or business, and whether you’re for or against what is being proposed, it’s ridiculous for bureaucracy and red tape to hold any project in limbo for years.?
?What happened with the Wolverine and Consumer plant projects is exactly what gives Michigan a poor reputation for attracting business and jobs to our state. The coal plant permits are a leading example of the regulatory reforms state government need to address to improve our economic future for Michigan.”
New energy plants were proposed for construction in the Bay City/Midland area and Rogers City as part of an estimated $580 million investment jobs and clean energy in Michigan. It took the state almost three years to issue its rulings on the permits.