Township Board Requests EPA Public Hearing – Consumers Energy Deep Injection Well Permit

Click here to view formal letter sent to EPA from Township

During a recent meeting of the Port Sheldon Township Board of Trustees, a motion was made and approved directing that official correspondence be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that a public hearing be held regarding the proposed deep injection well associated with Consumers Energy and the J.H. Campbell Generating Plant.
This request is being made in the interest of public transparency and community engagement, to ensure that residents have the opportunity to:

• Receive information directly from the EPA and project representatives
• Ask questions regarding the proposed well and permitting process
• Provide input as part of the formal review process

The Township understands that this is a federal permitting process administered by the EPA, and that final authority rests at that level.
At this time, no formal decision has been made, and the Township’s role in the approval process is limited. However, the Board believes that facilitating a public hearing would provide an important opportunity for open dialogue and public participation.
Residents are also encouraged to participate in the EPA’s official public comment process. Additional information, including project details and instructions for submitting comments, is available through the EPA.
The Township will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Use the following link to view the presentation used at the Consumers Energy Open House held on Thursday, April 16, 2026 regarding efforts the company is making to reduce the recurring outages that have occurred in recent years for the Pigeon Lake Substation Circuits, which serve the Port Sheldon area.

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Consumers Energy Open House

Consumers Energy will be hosting an open house and presentation on April 16th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Port Sheldon Township Hall. The focus will be on the efforts the company is making to reduce the recurring outages that have occurred in recent years for the Pigeon Lake Substation Circuits, which serve the Port Sheldon area. The presentation will begin at 6:00 pm, followed by an opportunity for residents to visit informational tables and ask questions to gain a better understanding of how the company meets its electricity needs.

The Township is aware that Consumers Energy has applied for federal permits related to the installation of deep injection wells at the J.H. Campbell facility. These wells are proposed for the disposal of non-hazardous wastewater associated with plant operations and future closure activities.

Residents who wish to provide input are encouraged to participate in the EPA’s public comment process. Written comments, or requests for a public hearing, may be submitted to the EPA through the official docket. The current comment period is open through May 4, 2026. Instructions on how to do so are available in the document below.

Links to the public comment notices and web resources:

EPA Newspaper Posting

EPA Comment Information and Fact Sheet

Why the Township Is Considering a Renewable Energy Ordinance
(Battery Energy Storage Systems)

The Township is currently working to adopt a zoning ordinance addressing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and other renewable energy facilities. This effort is largely the result of recent changes to Michigan law that significantly altered how renewable energy projects are regulated. (PA 233)

In 2023, the State of Michigan amended the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and related energy siting laws. These changes shifted a large portion of the authority for approving certain renewable energy facilities from local governments to the State of Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).
Renewable Energy and Storage Facility Siting

Under the new law, if a township does not have a qualifying renewable energy ordinance in place, the state has the authority to approve and site these projects without local zoning oversight. In that situation, the township would have little or no ability to influence where facilities are located, how they are designed, or what setbacks and safety standards apply.

However, the law also allows communities to maintain a degree of local control by adopting what is known as a Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance (CREO). When a township has a compatible ordinance in place, developers must first apply locally, and the township has the opportunity to review the project and apply its zoning standards.

The Planning Commission has been working to develop an ordinance that:

• Establishes reasonable standards for safety and setbacks
• Provides clear expectations for developers
• Preserves the township’s ability to participate in the siting process
• Aligns with the requirements of state law so it qualifies as a compatible ordinance

Because the state law limits how restrictive local regulations can be, the township’s ordinance must remain generally consistent with the framework established by the state. If an ordinance is written in a way that is significantly more restrictive than state standards, a developer could potentially bypass the township and apply directly to the state.

In summary, the purpose of this ordinance is not to encourage or promote these facilities, but rather to ensure the township retains a voice in how and where they may be located under the new state regulatory structure.