DTE Finally Gets Hit with a Limit with Fermi 2’s Pollution

1. We’re excited to share our small wins in this sage of the Fermi 2 discharge permit! While we did not get all the changes we requested, we got some that were worth the effort. As a brief recap, the discharge permit (NPDES) for Fermi 2 had been renewed with some unfortunate permissions included. CRAFT alongside the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC), Detroit Mercy University Law Clinic, and the Law Berkeley Clinic engaged the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), who issued the permit, to demand revisions. Our first win was getting the public comment period on the permit extended and then to receive a public hearing with representatives from EGLE to discuss the permit. A win that we secured in this newly revised permit is a thermal limit imposed on Fermi 2’s impact on Lake Erie. The power plant has one year to come into compliance with the thermal limit, meaning that they cannot add heat to the lake above a certain quantity per hour.
2. The Cobalt Magnet 25 simulation is still on schedule for next year, taking place from March 15-21. Cobalt Magnet simulations are exercises to study the potential impacts of nuclear disasters. In 2022, CM22 was conducted in Austin, Texas to evaluate the dangers of a “dirty bomb” being detonated in a major US city. In 2025, several state, local, and federal agencies from the US as well as Canadian representation will be simulating the consequences of a meltdown at Fermi 2 here in Monroe County. Specifically, evacuation strategies will be assessed. Results from the exercise will be shared at follow-up workshops from April 14-18.
3. Does nuclear power effectively reduce carbon emissions? Beyond Nuclear published this third list of Talking Points taking this topic to task. “Renewables are more effective in climate mitigation. Nuclear power is less,” writes Benjamin K. Sovacool and others. These talking-point lists are very helpful in equipping us with less experience in anti-nuclear discourse to have conversations with others in our lives about these issues. Check out our insert this month to learn more.

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Citizen's Resistance At Fermi Two (CRAFT) is an Indigenous-led, grassroots, organization, committed to an accessible, fair, and just energy future for all! CRAFT originally formed after the Christmas Day 1993 incident at the Fermi2 nuclear reactor that dumped 1.5 million gallons of untreated toxic, radioactive water into Lake Erie. We will continue to push for the closing of Fermi2, and for a safer world powered by renewables.

CRAFT | Post Office Box 401356 | Redford, MI 48240 US