Multi-million-dollar Substation Makes Its Way to Ferndale after Power Outages

Power outages affected more than 6,000 Ferndale residents, temperatures had reached 100 degrees and left many residents inconvenienced.

“This will provide more flexibility … and additional (electrical) capacity for Ferndale and Hazel Park,” said Scott Simons, a DTE spokesman. “We started thinking about the need for additional capacity before the 2011 power outage.”

The Ferndale Council has not approved the plans yet but if approved, DTE plans to build the substation just south of Nine Mile Road, reports the Daily Tribune.

The city Planning Commission has approved the project, and construction will begin this year. The project is slated for completion in 2016.

“We were especially concerned about senior citizens and others with health problems being able to survive such extreme temperatures,” Mayor David Coulter said.

Two substations in the city are operating with old equipment.

“In general this is a very positive thing,” Coulter said. “I’m supportive of the project for a new station with increased electrical capacity for Ferndale. It is something we pushed DTE to do after the outages of 2011.”

The new substation will bring a reliable source of electricity to the city.

“This is a good thing for Ferndale and one of the outcomes of the 2011 power outages,” said City Councilwoman Melanie Piana. “I feel like DTE listened to the City Council.”

City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday to vote on the substation.