Gas conversion planned for local DTE plant

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A local power plant’s life could be extended pending approval from state regulators. DTE Energy is asking the Michigan Public Service Commission for permission to convert the coal fired Belle River Power Plant in East China Township to natural gas. Chief Operating Officer Trevor Lauer shared the news with WPHM’s Paul Miller during this week’s Mackinac Policy Conference.

“(There’s) very strong support for turning it into a gas plant,” said Lauer. “We’ll do one unit in 2025 and the second unit in 2026.”

The news of the conversion of the Belle River Plant comes just about one year after DTE officially opened their new Blue Water Energy Center which also runs on natural gas and is also located in East China Township. Lauer says St. Clair County’s energy infrastructure and pro-business climate lead to the decision to build the new plant and to convert the existing plant.

June 1 Trevor Lauer