Planned BWL natural gas plant in Lansing raises health concerns for neighbors

Lansing Board of Water & Light gets green light to begin construction of new gas-fired power plant in Delta Township
A BWL official says the future RICE plant will help meet the increased energy demand from the new battery plant
Video shows new power plant construction site, with BWL representative explaining its purpose, while neighbors remain skeptical

Since the coal-fired Erickson Power Station in Delta Township closed in 2022, Marta Kermiet, a Lansing resident with asthma, has been able to breathe easier.

“I can’t think of any other reason other than the air quality is better,” Kermiet said.

Kermiet, however, is concerned that a new gas-fired power plant will be built on the site of the old coal-fired power plant.

“The thought that we’re now dealing with new air pollutants is really frustrating,” Kermiet said.

The Lansing Board of Water & Light is overseeing construction of a $171 million Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) facility. Last month, the utility received an air quality permit from the state that will allow it to begin planning and construction.

The RICE plant is intended to be a source of intermittent power that will support renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, said Anna Hunie, manager of energy planning and decarbonization at Lansing BWL.

RICE plants operate as renewable energy generators when conditions are not favorable for solar or wind power. For example, a RICE plant would be activated on a cloudy day when solar energy is weak.

“RICE plants can come online immediately if needed to help maintain grid reliability and ensure our residential and commercial customers continue to receive the energy they need,” Hunie said.

Michigan Environmental Protection Agency officials estimate the plant could produce more than 550,000 tons of greenhouse gases per year if it operated continuously.

Hunie said the utility plans to use the plant as needed.

“We had to apply for a permit as if we were operating these plants on a continuous basis,” Hunie said. “The numbers on the permit do not reflect how the plant operates.”

Construction of the plant is on track as the utility projects a 30 percent increase in energy demand once its Ultium Cells battery plant in Lansing comes online in early 2025.

SEE: ULTIUM CELLS TO HOST JOB FAIR FOR NEW ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY FACTORY IN LANSING

Ultium Cells Hosts Job Fair for New Electric Vehicle Battery Factory in Lansing

Jon Kermiet is still not convinced that a new plant is the best solution to help Michigan reach its goal of 60 percent renewable energy by 2030. Kermiet hopes BWL will hold more public consultations with the community and experts.

“(RICE plants) are cleaner than coal-fired plants, but they certainly do not provide clean energy,” Kermiet said.

PHOTO: MARTA AND JON KERMIET TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT BUILDING A NEW NATURAL GAS POWER PLANT IN DELTA MUNICIPALITY

BWL currently operates two gas-fired power plants: one at its headquarters in REO Town and the other at the Delta Energy Plant, adjacent to the site of the third location.

Hunie says BWL has met all environmental requirements to obtain the air quality permit. She added that BWL understands that gas-fired power plants will emit greenhouse gases.

Hunie says BWL’s goal is to provide affordable, clean and reliable energy, and natural gas is a safe option until they find other reliable, renewable energy sources.

“Given the technologies available, there is a need to diversify resources, including both natural gas and renewable energy,” Hunie said.

However, Marta Kermiet is still concerned about the potential health effects this could have in her area.

“I think BWL rushed it,” Kermiet said. “They should have stopped and made sure there wasn’t a better way to do it.”

Construction of the new plant is scheduled to begin next year, with the opening scheduled for 2026.

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