Worker Killed in Michigan Utility Plant Accident

A worker has been killed at a DTE Energy facility in Michigan that produces carbonized coal for blast furnaces during the steel-making process.

DTE Energy spokesman Len Singer says the employee was performing routine maintenance on equipment at the DTE Energy Services coke plant on Zug Island in River Rouge when he was accidentally killed about 10:30 a.m. Friday.

Singer had no information on the type of accident. He says the utility, state officials and River Rouge police are investigating the death.

DTE Energy Services is a subsidiary of the utility. Singer says the facility had been part of US Steel. The utility took over operations in 2004.

The facility is about 10 miles south of Detroit.