Detroit Renewable Power safely converts Detroit’s solid waste into a clean, renewable supply of electricity and steam energy. The electricity is sold to Detroit Edison and the steam is sold to Detroit Thermal to heat and cool more than 140 buildings in downtown and midtown Detroit.

Detroit Renewable Power was formed to purchase and operate Detroit’s existing energy-from-waste (EFW) facility, and in the process, increase the efficiency, reliability and safety of this vital community asset.

Detroit Renewable Power is an independent subsidiary of Detroit Renewable Energy, a consortium of renewable-energy generation and distribution companies formed in November 2010 that also includes Detroit Thermal and Hamtramck Energy Services. Please visit www.detroitrenewable.com for more information about Detroit Renewable Energy and its subsidiaries.

Working cooperatively with the City of Detroit, the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324, Utility Workers of America, AFL, CIO Local 223, and DTE Energy, Detroit Renewable Energy has attracted $50 million in new investment to the city to upgrade the facilities of its subsidiaries, including Detroit Renewable Power.

Detroit Renewable Power has already identified and will be investing millions of dollars in capital improvements and upgrades to 1) improve operating efficiency, 2) increase the reliability and output of electricity and steam, 3) upgrade our emission control system—that already meets the most stringent federal, state and local standards—and 4) improve the safety, odor and appearance of the facility.

Detroit Renewable Power also preserved the jobs of  approximately 130 skilled workers who were dismissed when plant was temporarily shut down in October 2010.

No. The basic process of converting waste into energy will not change.  However, Detroit Renewable Power is in the process of improving the facility’s operating efficiency, increasing the reliability and output of electricity and steam, while improving its safety, odor and appearance.

GDRRA will continue to supply the City of Detroit’s solid waste to Detroit Renewable Power’s EFW facility for conversion to electricity and steam.

Yes. Detroit Renewable Power will continue to be subject to all federal, state and local operating and performance permits. Historically the EFW facility has performed well within the federal, state and local operating and performance guidelines.

Yes.  According to the Energy Recovery Council, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies the energy produced at our EFW facility as renewable because solid waste -- the fuel used to produce it -- is sustainable and non-depletable. To learn more about energy-from-waste as a renewable energy source, visit the FAQs on the Energy Recovery Council's web site.

Energy-from-waste (EFW) facilities throughout the world have been shown to be complementary to efficient recycling programs and reduce overall environmental impacts. Detroit Renewable Power’s EFW facility is no exception, and we’re committed to working with recycling programs beyond our current recoverable materials program.

Yes. Detroit Renewable Power understands that recovery of valuable raw materials such as ferrous metal is a complementary and critical part of any responsible waste management program. The recoverable materials program will continue.

Yes.  Detroit Renewable Power will conduct tours of the facility at a future date.

Yes. Detroit Renewable Power will continue to sell electricity to Detroit Edison.

No. Local trash pick-up will continue as before.