The EPA expects to receive information from Edison late this month that could determine the plant's fate. Shock waves from the Edison announcement spread across the international border, where Canadian officials say wind currents generally carry Detroit air contaminants into Windsor. The restarting of the Conners Creek plant will only make worse an already difficult situation. Boyd said Edison hadn't expected to need the plant until 2000, and originally estimated it would take two years to get the plant ready. But a number of unexpected changes, including an announcement that the Cook nuclear power plant would not have electric power available to Edison all summer, put them under the gun.
Critics say the scramble is part of a strategy to railroad regulators into allowing the startup.
Once in operation, the plant will help the company protect its market share as upcoming electric industry deregulation erodes its monopoly. Detroit Free Press and may not be republished without permission.