Michigan utilities work to comply with air pollution rule

(AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release a decision this week about new mercury and toxic air emissions standards for power plants, but Michigan's utility companies have already been working toward compliance.

The main issue is whether the EPA was required to take costs into account when it first decided to regulate air pollutants from power plants or if health risks are the only consideration under the Clean Air Act.

"Michigan's fragile economy cannot afford the job losses and skyrocketing electricity rates that would accompany the premature implementation of this new federal regulation," she said.

Unlike past rules under the Clean Air Act, where Consumers was able to meet requirements through cap and trade programs, the utility has been installing pollution control equipment on coal-fired units to meet specific limitations.

Donerson added that DTE can't predict the impact of all these changes on rates, but said, To recover the generation lost due to plant retirements, DTE will utilize natural gas and renewable energy sources.