WEC answers some questions

To the Journal editor:

In his Nov. 10 letter, “Water quality near plant questioned,” Tim Clancy asked some very insightful questions about our handling of coal ash at the Presque Isle Power Plant.

We are proud to say that we have been an industry leader in the beneficial reuse of coal ash that is produced at our plants.

Coal ash is often used in construction material for roads and in concrete and concrete products. During the past 10 years, we have beneficially used approximately 80 percent of 644,000 tons of coal ash produced at the Presque Isle Power Plant.

Since we’ve owned the plant, any ash that we have not beneficially reused has been placed in licensed landfills supporting the plant. The landfills are operated and maintained in accordance with all applicable Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) rules and regulations.

Beyond that, we have a comprehensive set of groundwater monitoring wells in place to ensure that contaminants are not leaching from the landfill into the groundwater. We conduct regular sampling of those monitoring wells and share that data with the MDEQ.

As part of the Presque Isle Power Plant’s planned retirement and decommissioning process, we will assess the entire site and follow all applicable MDEQ regulations.

Protecting the environment is a responsibility we take seriously as a good neighbor and as a responsible corporate citizen.

BRUCE RAMME

Vice President of Environmental

WEC Energy Group