The Superior Midwest Energy Terminal (SMET) was commissioned in 1976 to provide for the low sulfur western coal needs of the Detroit Edison Company power plants located in southeastern Michigan. This state-of-the-art transshipment facility incorporates the economic advantages of both unit train receipt and "superlaker" Great Lakes vessel shipment. (For more information on Great Lakes vessels see Great Lakes Seaway Review.) The terminal facility has sufficient capacity and design fexibility to accommodate the coal transshipment needs of additional electric utilities and industrial firms throughout the Great Lakes region. We are a full service energy terminal, and, as such, can provide directly for coal deliveries from the mine to the end user.

SMET is owned and operated by Midwest Energy Resources Company (MERC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Detroit Edison Company.

At present, coals received at the terminal originate in the Powder River and Hanna Basins. The coals are low sulfur coals possessing a heating value from 8700 to 11,500 BTU's per pound as shipped. Midwest Energy Resources Company also has the ability to source high BTU low sulfur coals from Colorado, Utah, and British Columbia.

On the average, twenty-five Detroit Edison and MERC owned aluminum train sets of 123 cars each transport the coal from the mines to the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal. The unit trains travel the 1,000 mile route in approximately two days carrying 14,000 tons of coal each trip. Rail service is provided the terminal by both the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroads.

The unit trains enter the 200 acre terminal site via a 3.5 mile perimeter track. Movement and unloading of each unit train is accomplished using a remote controlled car indexer and rotary dumper. The car indexer pulls the entire train forward to position each railcar onto the rotary dumper. Special swivel couplings on each railcar allow the individual railcars to be turned upside down and unloaded without uncoupling. The unit trains are unloaded at a rate of 5,000 TPH. Coal can be conveyed directly to vessel or to the storage pile for additional blending and reclaim at a subsequent date.

Coal reclaim and blending is accomplished using a series of nine variable speed rotary plowfeeders situated under the coal storage piles. The plowfeeders can traverse the entire length of the storage area. Plowfeeder coal blending and selective coal reclaim is controlled through a sophisticated computer based system making possible virtually any blend proportioning for up to three dissimilar qualities of coal.

A 96-inch transfer conveyor system transports the coal directly from the car dumper or from the storage pile to the loading dock and traveling shiploader. Coal can be loaded into the waiting vessel at rates up to 11,500 TPH.

Benefits to Potential Users of the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal:

• Ready access to western U.S. sub-bituminous and bituminous coals.
• Large capacity on-site storage, taking advantage of unit train economics and delivery capabilities.
• Access to low-cost Great Lakes vessel bulk transportation.
• Short or long-term contracts to meet individual user requirements.

Basic Terminal Capabilities:

• 25.5 million ton present annual transshipment capacity.
• 5 million ton present total on site storage.
• We can presently store eight (8) separate coal types in large volumes with the capability of storing more in the future.
• Up to three dissimilar quality coals can be blended simultaneously during the vessel loading process.
• 5,000 TPH unit train unloading rate (rotary coupler cars).
• 11,500 TPH maximum vessel loading rate.
• Vessels of up to 1,000' length routinely accommodated.
• Two 123-car unit trains can be accommodated on-site.