Detroit Refinery Fined $100M for Polluting Air

A significant ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan has mandated a $100 million civil penalty against DTE Energy and its subsidiaries. This penalty stems from violations of the Clean Air Act by the EES Coke facility located on Zug Island.

The refinery, which produces metallurgical coke, was found to have exceeded federal standards for sulfur dioxide emissions. In 2018 alone, emissions surpassed 3,200 tons, significantly over the permitted baseline of under 2,100 tons annually. The court determined these emissions have serious health consequences, including causing asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and increasing the risk of cancer and early death.

This decision is particularly impactful for Windsor residents, who have long experienced air quality issues attributed to pollution blowing in from the U.S. DTE Energy has expressed disappointment and intends to appeal the ruling, citing concerns about the domestic supply of coke. Environmental advocates highlight this as a crucial step towards cleaner air, though they note the ongoing need to address other pollutants.

The facility reportedly saved approximately $70 million by not adhering to the Clean Air Act. The ongoing fog in Windsor is noted to exacerbate health impacts, as sulfur dioxide can transform into harmful sulfuric acid mists within the fog. Experts emphasize the importance of government oversight to ensure environmental compliance.