US: The Port of Monroe and DTE Energy have officially announced a partnership for the port to manage synthetic gypsum, a by-product of the Monroe Power Plant in Michigan.
"This is more than an agreement, but a partnership for mutual prosperity," said Paul C LaMarre III, Port Director. The partnership will bring new jobs to the community and help grow the economy, officials said. About 30 full-time jobs will be created. The port will build a 24,000ft2 storage building on its property, allowing gypsum customers to have direct shipping access to the material year-round.
Brian Rice, Director of the Monroe Power Plant, said that the company has been seeking a partner for a while to manage gypsum. "We wanted to work with someone locally," said Rice.
The Monroe Power Plant is one of the five-largest coal plants in the country and is the only plant in Michigan operating the flue gas desulfurisation system. "The advantage to this agreement is that it allows us to recycle all of it," said Rice about the gypsum.
In 2014, DTE recycled more than 350,000t of gypsum. Monroe Mayor Robert E. Clark called the partnership 'a great opportunity' between partners who have already had a long established relationship. "Outbound cargo is being generated and our community is better for it," said LaMarre.
