The St. Clair Power Plant in East China Township may be slated to close a year ahead of schedule, that according to a request by DTE Energy to the Michigan Public Service Commission. DTE says they would like to close both the St. Clair and Trenton Channel coal fired power plants in 2022, a year sooner than initially requested. In a statement to WPHM, DTE says they are committed to no employee layoffs and that affected workers will be transferred to “new roles within the company.” The utility says increasing renewable energy sources, along with the anticipated opening of a new gas-fired Blue Water Energy Center power plant in East China, has pushed up the expected closing dates for the coal plants. The request will need the approval of the Michigan Public Service Commission, which regulates rates and electrical capacity in the state.
