DEQ-Warden compliance negotiations continue–CEO Walsh expresses anger over environmental challengers

April 4, 2016

front page pic — BRIEFING–Warden CEO Steve Walsh, standing, attended the L’Anse Village Council meeting with Warden’s J.R. Richardson, at left. Walsh reacted angrily toward citizens who have environmental concerns about the plant. Walsh notified the editor that he will attend the Tuesday, April 12, county commissioners’ meeting at 5 p.m. and a Baraga Village Council meeting, although it is on the same evening, starting at 5:30 p.m.

by Barry Drue
and Chris Ford

Negotiations continue between the Department of Environmental Quality and officials with the L’Anse Warden Electric Company (LWEC) to bring the biomass generator back into permit compliance. DEQ Senior Environmental Quality Analyst Ed Lancaster of the Marquette office has also periodically visited L’Anse to investigate citizen-raised environmental issues with the plant. Warden CEO Steve Walsh updated the L’Anse Village Council at its regular meeting Monday night, March 28, 2016. He plans to attend a county board meeting and a Baraga Village Council meeting with Warden updates in April. Monday Lancaster noted that efforts to work out an agreement between the DEQ and Warden regarding compliance with permit requirements have continued for almost two months. DEQ officials met with Warden attorneys and officials in a compliance enforcement meeting in Lansing on Feb. 3, 2016. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.