Michigan environmental justice group Citizens’ Resistance at Fermi Two, or CRAFT, didn’t get everything on their wish list when it comes to tougher rules for a Detroit-area nuclear plant. Still, the group is celebrating long-awaited changes to the permit for DTE Energy’s Fermi Two.

The new permit now includes what environmental groups call important safeguards. They say one of the most notable modifications is a thermal limit for the first time. They say this will stop the Monroe County plant from overheating local waters, protecting aquatic life from potential harm.

Environmental Attorney Nicholas Schroeck, who represents CRAFT, says the permit changes are a step forward.

“We’re already concerned about water temperatures on Lake Erie,” Schroek said. “It’s continuing to warm with climate change, and this facility is a major contributor to higher temperatures on Lake Erie. So, monitoring of that is important because if you’re not monitoring it, you don’t know.”

CRAFT also successfully secured a public hearing on the permit and extended the public comment period. Schroek says this allows more community involvement in the decision-making process.