DTE Energy Reports 2006 Emission Data
DTE Energy companies use a variety of fuels and energy sources to produce electricity. Our largest subsidiary, Detroit Edison, produces about 80 percent of the electricity needed for Southeastern Michigan at seven coal-fired power plants, with the remainder produced by nuclear power, oil and gas.
To produce nearly 45 million MWh of electricity -- enough to serve the needs of 5 million people in their homes, businesses and industries -- Detroit Edison burns approximately 20 million tons of coal annually. Even with expert operation and sophisticated pollution control equipment, that much coal combustion produces millions of pounds of by-products that are recycled, released to the air or water, or disposed of in approved containment facilities.
As expected, there are variations each year in the emissions due to concentration of elements in the coal and electrical generation. Detroit Edison obtains coal from dozens of mines and the coal from each mine has a unique mix of trace elements.
While emissions of some TRI chemicals are higher or lower than last year, all emissions are well below the level at which state and federal regulators may take some action to control emissions through permitting. None of the emissions in 2006 exceeds 25 percent of the action level, and most are between zero and ten percent.
This is the eighth year that Detroit Edison has reported on these elements from power plant emissions.
What Is The TRI Report?
The Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) is a publicly available database of information on the release and transfer of nearly 650 chemicals by private companies and government facilities. Congress created TRI under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 EPCRA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the program. Electric utilities were added to the list of manufacturing industries required to report to the TRI in May 1997.
Studies Show Low Risk
Due to the tremendous amount of fuel that we burn to produce electricity to serve Detroit Edison customers, the volume of emissions from Detroit Edison power plants are large. The EPA however, conducted a study1 on power plant emissions, reporting to Congress that power plant emissions pose a minimal impact to human health. Similar results were obtained by an Electric Power Research Institute study2.
| 1 | Study of Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions from Electric Utility Steam Generating Units - Final Report to Congress, Vol. 1, EPA-453/R-98-004a, Feb. 1998. |
| 2 | Electric Utility Trace Substances Synthesis Report, Vol. 1-4, Electric Power Research Institute, California, 1994. |
In addition to these two studies, Detroit Edison had an independent toxicologist evaluate emissions from the Monroe Power Plant for potential human health impacts. The Monroe Power Plant is Detroit Edison's largest producer of electricity; it is therefore the largest source of emissions among all of Detroit Edison's fossil-fueled power plants. The toxicologist concluded that no adverse health effects are expected from the Monroe Power Plant emissions.
Detroit Edison's Emissions Data
Detroit Edison's 2006 TRI Releases by Power Plant
Detroit Edison's 2006 TRI Releases by Chemical
Detroit Edison's Comparative Releases for Years 2003-2006
Frequently Asked Questions about Detroit Edison's TRI
Additional Information about TRI from the Edison Electric Institute
A Primer on Electric Utility Companies and EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory (PDF)
How are Emissions Generated? (PDF)
Reducing Power Plant Emissions (PDF)
Detroit Edison will continue to work with regulatory agencies in support of Community Right-To-Know activities, providing emission data and public health information. If you or someone you know has questions about chemical emissions and the TRI, please contact Detroit Edison's Environmental Management and Resources Department at 313.235.8614.
