Detroit WTE plant criticized for air emissions

An intent to sue has been filed by Michigan officials with the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center for claims that a Detroit waste-to-energy (WTE) plant fails to meet safe air emissions standards, a report by The Detroit News says.

The plant, operated by Detroit Renewable Power, burns municipal waste and creates steam and electricity that it sells to Detroit-based DTE Energy, the story says. In the process, the facility also produces air emissions the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center considers harmful to the public.

Around 650,000 tons of waste was burned at the facility in 2015, the report says, much of it coming from outside the immediate area. Since January 2015, the facility has been cited 12 times for odor violations and 19 times for emissions of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter.

According to the report, local environmental groups have previously pushed to halt operations at the facility, citing outdated technology. A spokesman for Detroit Renewable Power told The Detroit News the company is currently working to address the issues with Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

On its website Detroit Renewable Power writes, "Our [energy from waste] facility produces steam and electricity that reduces burdens on landfills, recycles waste metals, doesn’t smoke, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions."