DTE Energy Unit Liable for Excess Emissions at Detroit Plant

A Detroit-based steel and coke facility run by a DTE Energy affiliate failed to get the proper permits to remove limits on coal-burning ovens and substantially increase sulfur dioxide emissions, a federal judge ruled.

EES Coke Battery LLC’s unchecked burning of coke oven gas led to the facility exceeding emission limits, constituting a “major modification” under the Clean Air Act that required Environmental Protection Agency review, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan said Monday.

Judge Gershwin A. Drain granted summary judgment to the Justice Department on the issue of liability for coke oven releases and failure ...