IndianaLocalNews

Michigan’s Largest Utility Plans to Close Coal Plants by 2025

By cassini83 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Regulators have approved a plan from Michigan’s largest utility to stop burning coal to generate energy by 2025.

Consumers Energy aims to get more than 60% of its energy from renewable sources by 2040, and to tap at least 8,000 megawatts of solar power by then.

Consumers Energy Media Relations Manager Brian Wheeler said they’ve already started putting the word out to communities, farmers and landowners that they’re looking for sites to develop new solar projects.

While concerns about renewable energy often cite cost, Wheeler said once the company closes its coal plants, it’s expected that customers will actually see savings.

“It used to be seen that you can either have energy that was ‘dirty and cheap,’ like with coal, or that renewables would be clean, but also expensive,” said Wheeler. “That equation has really changed. And so now, we’re seeing that we can add renewables and still keep costs down for our customers.”

Opponents of the company’s Clean Energy Plan say solar and wind are not reliable enough sources for high demand in the state, and that losing coal may exacerbate issues with power outages and grid problems.

Wheeler said now that Michigan has entered the summer months, it’s important for the public to be involved in keeping the power grid running smoothly. He urged folks to shift the times of the day they run appliances and other energy uses away from the peak summer afternoons.

“That actually has a benefit to your bill,” said Wheeler, “but also to the grid, because we’re not building power plants just for a few hot summer days. So, we really want people to be involved. We want people to be thinking about their own energy usage, and understand that they take a role when it comes to fighting climate change.”

Both Consumers Energy and the state’s other utility, DTE Energy, have payment assistance programs to support households having trouble paying their utility bills. Wheeler notes they can reach out to the company directly or call 211 to get help connecting.

Related posts

Two men shot in separate incidents at Miami Hills, Beacon Heights in South Bend

Jon Zimney

IDOE presents proposal to streamline number of diplomas

95.3 MNC

South Bend’s new ‘Madison Lifestyle District’ project sees progress

Jon Zimney

4 comments

Charles U Farley July 9, 2022 at 9:39 am

Michigan’s about to go dark thanks to the delusions of the eco-nuts. Brilliant!

Some people just don’t understand cause and effect.

Reply
Slacker06 July 9, 2022 at 11:13 am

Sell your stock NOW!!

This is just virtue signaling. Germany and other European countries are opening up their previously closed coal plants. AND no one is closing any coal plant in CHINA where most of the greenhouse gas is being expelled. The green plants love the greenhouse gases by the way. Read a little actual science rather than political science.

Reply
Mark+Nesbitt July 9, 2022 at 2:13 pm

Bend over Michigan grab your ankles

Reply
Jeff Hall July 11, 2022 at 8:31 am

You can bet Whitless is cheering this on to satisfy her fearless leader, FJB? They’ve already started. Recently shut down Palisades Energy plant. Not only coal plants, they’re after? They want to shut down zero emission nuclear plants too. And with recent warnings for upcoming rolling black outside in the Midwest, & especially Michigan? The infrastructure & technologically advanced storage batteries are not in place, or will be developed for years. Yet they want to shove this “New Green Deal”, down our throats. Love the warning, when it’s already taking it’s toll, first with artificial gasoline price increases, now this. Europe tried it, but fired plants back up again. The great experiment at the coat of ir’s citizens wallets? “The Green Stupid Deal”, but it’s intentional! Remember in November!!! And Vote! We can’t endure another 2yrs! Or another 2 weeks!!!!

Reply

Leave a Comment