DETROIT (WWJ) - A controversial Detroit incinerator, that has produced a foul odor spread for miles, is shutting down for good.
Detroit Renewable Energy bought the incinerator in 2017 and put in $23 million in upgrades; but it hasn't been enough to stop the facility, near I-94 and I-75, from running foul of state emission standards, and raising the ire of local residents.
DRE CEO Todd Grzech said Wednesday that there will be no smell this summer.
"Serving our community and being a good neighbor for years to come is our number one priority," said Grzech, who cited both financial and community concerns as the reasons for the closure. "The decision ends the odor, noise and other community nuisances, and allows Detroit Thermal to focus on investing where it matters," he added.
Mayor Mike Duggan says the city will work with DRE and the incinerator's 150 employees to help find them new jobs.
"The City of Detroit has been pushing Detroit Renewable Energy to address neighborhood concerns about the incinerator for nearly a year. Now that the company has decided to close the incinerator, the city will soon have the ability to influence the future use of this property," Duggan said.
Duggan said it's his "strong preference" that a waste incinerator is never located there again. "We will be pursuing our legal options to make sure this remains the case," he added.
Along with nose-holding neigbors, the closure is big win for State Rep. Isaac Robinson (D-Detroit) who ran on the issue.
"The people that live in the art center area, or on the east side nearby, they complain of very, very nasty odors," Robinson said. "And, you know, when you driver up I-94 near Mt. Elliot, where you also have U.S. Ecology dumping toxic and radioactive waste in our water...you can get a headache just driving down the roads."
Duggan said the city's trash contract with Detroit Renewable Energy will be transferred to another company; and, as the rates are locked in through the remainder of the contract, officials do not expect that there will be no added costs to taxpayers.
