Construction could start early next year on a new 1100 megawatt power plant in St. Clair County. DTE Energy has received the necessary permits from the state for the new natural gas facility which would provide power for 850,000 homes. Trevor Lauer, President and Chief Operating Officer of DTE Electric says the facility goes hand-in-hand with DTE’s existing green energy sources. Lauer says the new power plant is necessary as the sun doens’t always shine and the wind isn’t always blowing. He says the new Blue Water Energy Center will be built in East China Township near the current Belle River and St. Clair Power Plants. The site was chosen due to existing natural gas pipelines and electrical transmission infrastructure. Lauer tells WPHM the plant could be completed by 2022. It would result in over 500 construction jobs and 30-to-40 full time jobs when completed.
