Planned Fermi 3 nuclear power plant angers environmentalists

DTE Energy and environmentalists are fighting in Michigan right now over a proposed Fermi 3 nuclear power plant. The centerpiece of the argument is the impact installing a new nuclear power plant would have on the surrounding ecosystem. Warm water and phosphorous would be generated regularly after the plant went live, and to clear the way for the plant, a swath of wetland would be destroyed.

There’s also an open question on where to put the nuclear waste generated by the Fermi 3 plant, something that existing nuclear power plants already struggle with. The proposed building site is also near 5 coal power plants, which are already creating their own footprints on the environment.

From DTE Energy’s perspective they’re focused on following the law to the letter. According to the Detroit Free Press:

They will be required to get federal permits to do any dredging or filling of wetlands, where protected species live, and will need state or federal permits for anything they discharge into waterways.

Also, since demand for electricity in Michigan is trending downward, there’s some question as to whether or not building the Fermi 3 plant is necessary. DTE Energy argues that some existing power plants will be decommissioned and it’s trying to prepare for future energy needs. Even with renewable energy in place like solar and wind, the company claims they’ll need the additional capacity.

Given the potential upsurge in electricity use from upcoming plug-in hybrid cars like the Chevy Volt, which will draw much of their energy from the power grid, DTE Energy may be on to something. But, that doesn’t give them free license to proceed without consideration for impact to the environment.

The real win will be when we determine an efficient way to deal with the side effects and waste from nuclear power, or when we discover a better way to harness energy from renewable sources like the sun. Until then, political quagmires like this one will be commonplace.