Meeting Michigan's energy needs and protecting the environment can go hand in hand.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Clean Corporate Citizen (C3) designation recognizes top performers in environmental management and stewardship.  Seven of Detroit Edison's operating power plants and Six of MichCon’s Compressor and Service Stations have achieved the C3 designation.

• Fermi 2 Power Plant was the first nuclear power plant in the state to achieve C3 status, and has received the designation every year since 2001.  
• St. Clair Power Plant joined the C3 ranks in 2003. Accomplishments under the C3 designation include a reuse and recycling program for wooden pallets, reusable shipping containers for parts and supplies, and a mercury reduction program.
• Harbor Beach Power Plant received C3 designation in 2006. The plant has developed a reuse plan for fly ash (a by-product of combustion), and is investigating emissions reductions through flue gas conditioning improvements.
• Belle River Power Plant received designation in 2006 and has implemented plans to reduce energy use, increase fly ash sales and reduce opacity. 
• River Rouge Power Plant received designation in 2007. The plant has added paper to the list of materials included in their recycling program and initiated a program to remove obsolete mercury containing devices from their facility.
• Monroe Power Plant received C3 designation in early 2008. Specific accomplishments recognized by the MDEQ include wildlife habitat restoration projects; partnerships with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Monroe Chapter of Pheasants Forever, and Monroe High School; and certification to the IS0 14001:2004 standard.
• Greenwood Energy Center was designated a Clean Corporate Citizen in 2009. Employees developed a strong environmental management system, attained high levels of pollution prevention, and maintained an outstanding environmental compliance record. These practices resulted in a frequent zero water offsite discharge, reduced city water usage, and support for wildlife habitat.
• MichCon Belle River Compressor Station was designated C3 in 2010. The station team installed air compressors to start the engines rather than natural gas, established recycling programs for paper, plastic, and metal, and maintain a community garden.
• Cadillac Service Station received C3 designation in 2011. Cadillac Service Station recycles paper, plastic, batteries, bulbs, and metal, performed an energy use audit at their facility and  is currently implementing energy saving initiatives.
• Grayling Service Station received C3 designation in 2011. Grayling Service Station recycles paper, plastic, batteries, bulbs, and metal, eliminated disposable cups from facility, installed drains to eliminate possibility of storm water contamination.
• Mt. Pleasant Service Station was awarded C3 designation in 2011. The station’s recycling partnership with Isabella County Recycling Center includes: plastic, wood, metal, paper, cardboard, (more than 7.62 tons in 3.5 years). The Mt. Pleasant Service Station was nominated as rookie of the year by the Wildlife Habitat Council for its successful wildlife habitat. 
• Tawas Service Station was designated a Clean Corporate Citizen in 2011. Employees initiated a recycling program and a certified wildlife habitat, Tawas Service Station is ISO 14001 certified and has performed an energy efficiency audit.
• Traverse City Service Station was designated C3 in 2011. Specific accomplishments recognized by the MDEQ include a recycling program, environmental sponsorship of  the Traverse City Cherry Festival and installation of a green roof

To qualify for a Clean Corporate Citizen designation, candidates must adopt a facility-specific environmental management system, establish and track pollution prevention goals, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements.

In addition, all Detroit Edison power plants and a number of MichCon and other facilities are individually certified to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard. Several facilities have also received site certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council.