Rep. Regole asks state for $15 million to replace failing nitrification towers

Representative Regole asked the Michigan House appropriations subcommittee to allocate $15 million of a larger $207 million request to replace failing nitrification towers at a local wastewater treatment plant, saying the work is urgent to avoid sewage discharges. Nut graf: Regole said the towers are the most urgent part of a larger plant modernization the municipality proposed to place on ratepayers; the legislatively directed request would avoid a projected, large rate increase he described as unaffordable for many residents. Regole told the committee the towers are “the thing that kept wastewater treatment management awake at night” and warned that if they fail “it's gonna put 6,000,000 gallons of sewage into the river.” He said other parts of the $200 million-plus program could be phased, but the tower replacements “would move forward right away because of the sheer necessity of it.” Committee members asked whether the grant would be one-time or require future funding; Regole said additional requests remain possible because the full program exceeds $200 million and originally was planned to be borne by ratepayers. He also said the utility had pursued other grants and borrowing “in excess of $30,000,000,” but that was not sufficient to address nearly 40-year-old infrastructure. Ending: The presentation closed without a committee decision; members thanked the presenter and moved on to subsequent appropriations testimonies. No formal vote or directive was recorded at the hearing.