The Detroit News – Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s attempts to move Michigan away from fossil fuel power may be seeing their first signs of success, but many still fear the glut of old-school projects in the pipeline could lock the state into decades of reliance on coal.

Mid-Michigan Energy recently suspended its attempts to get approval for a new coal-fired plant in Midland. Some see that as an indication that new laws and the governor’s stance on cutting carbon dioxide emissions are working to keep new plants from coming on line. Last year, Michigan’s Legislature enacted measures that require power companies to justify new projects while considering all options for energy production.

The state’s Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing permit requests for five coal-fired power plants and expects another three. Meanwhile, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is overseeing the approval process for a new DTE nuclear reactor 30 miles south of Detroit. [read more…]