OpEd confuses issue

To the Journal editor:

I was deeply disappointed by the editorial published by The Mining Journal on Oct. 7 titled “NMU Plant is Complicated.” This opinion piece contained inaccuracies that I feel compelled to address. First, the article begins by stating that “The (letter to the editor) … by Professor Sarah Middlefehldt Ph.D. of Northern Michigan University’s Department of Earth, Environmental and Geological Science was misleading at best.” I never wrote a letter to the editor. On Aug. 21, 2023, Mining Journal reporters covered a workshop that I helped to organize with colleagues from Michigan State University and the state’s Wood Energy Team. The goal of that workshop was to use peer-reviewed scientific research to examine the challenges and opportunities of using wood to produce different forms of energy in Michigan. Workshop participants discussed the possibility of NMU pursuing a study to determine what kinds of retrofit and redesign efforts would be needed to upgrade the existing wood-burning boiler at the Ripley Heating Plant to troubleshoot some of the issues that have occurred in the past.

NMU added a wood-burning cogeneration unit in 2013 to increase fuel flexibility, but since 2015 NMU has been primarily relying on fossil fuels to heat and power campus. Contrary to what was stated in the columnist’s article, fossil fuels such as oil and gas are not “more environmentally friendly fuels” in terms of their impact on our changing climate. A number of students, staff, and faculty have been working to help Northern reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. If community members are interested in learning more about those efforts, I encourage you to read the draft of NMU’s Carbon Neutrality Plan and come to one of the upcoming public input sessions. You can find more information about the draft plan and upcoming public forums at: https://nmu.edu/president/carbon-neutrality-task-force#:~:text=The%20NMU%20Carbon%20Neutrality%20Task,Plan%27s%20%22Collaborative%20Sustainability%22%20initiative

In the future, I suggest that the editors of The Mining Journal ensure that guest columnists are using accurate information in order to avoid the spread of misinformation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt

Marquette