Wolverine Power Cooperative has received final approval from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for its Alpine Power Plant air quality permit. This allows Wolverine to start constructing the new plant in Elmira Township, near Gaylord, said Ken Bradstreet, project spokesman.
Wolverine received a draft air quality permit in April 2015, which was followed by a 30-day public comment period, including a public hearing at Elmira Township Hall. Several community members came forward to voice their support and encourage the MDEQ to move forward with issuing the permit, Bradstreet said.
The plant is a natural gas-fueled electric generating facility that will sit on 168 acres and use two General Electric Frame 7F.05 gas turbines to provide a total output of 432 MW. Commercial operation is anticipated in summer 2016. The plant’s budget and related transmission system improvements is $175 million. Visit wolverinepowercooperative.com/alpine-clean-energy/ for more details.