LANSING – On the eve of Consumers Energy getting granted local tax abatements to build a new coal-fired power plant in Bay County, a coalition of environmental groups is trying to persuade Michigan residents and lawmakers that coal should not be part of the mix of new power facilities in the state.
The Hampton Township Board of Trustees approved tax abatements for a proposed new 800 megawatt plant at Consumer’s Karn/Weadock Complex. The plant would be one of a minimum of two former Public Service Commission Chair Peter Lark proposed in his 21st Century Energy Plan and one of seven under exploration around the state.
The Clean Energy Now Coalition said all of that power should be provided through renewable sources, not additional coal plants.
“Building more dirty, coal-fired power plants will keep Michigan locked in the energy dark ages, and saddle our state with outmoded technology and high costs just as we are fighting to move our state into the 21st century,” said Anne Woiwode, director of the Sierra Club in Michigan, one of the coalition’s groups. “Instead of investing in outdated coal-burning, Michigan should lead the way in producing clean, renewable energy that will make our state and our nation energy independent, fight global warming, and create the jobs of the future.”
Coalition members said at press conferences around the state they are trying to reach 150,000 households in the next day to urge residents to lobby for a moratorium on new coal plants until the Legislature adopts renewable energy portfolio standards. Bills to require utilities to use minimum percentages of renewable power have been introduced, but not yet made their way to Gov. Jennifer Grandholm.
The coalition’s website, NoCoalRush.Com,includes a petition asking for the moratorium.
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