INTRO: In the last few days, plans for 2 new coal fired power plants have been halted. This is shifting state energy policy. Environmental groups are cheering while some politicians are angry. Michigan Now’s Chris McCarus has been talking with state officials.
The latest decision came from Consumers Energy. The company said it would not build a new coal fired power plant in Essexville, east of Bay City. That’s right next to an old plant they still operate.
“I do believe it’s a sound business decision and not pressure from any side.”
The Michigan Public Service Commission regulates utilities, though staffers say privately they don’t have much influence. Monica Martinez is a Michigan Public Service Commissioner. She was appointed by the Governor. She thinks utilities around the country are betting on climate change legislation. If Washington makes coal expensive because it’s dirty, then maybe it’s a bad investment:
“This gives them more time to figure out — okay, is this something that’s really going to happen, and what are the implications?”
On Thursday, The Public Service Commission published its Summer Energy Appraisal. Total sales volume of electricity this year is projected to rise 2%. It will reach about 100 million megawatt-hours. But just 3 years ago, Michigan used 110 million megawatt-hours. The closing of hundreds of steel, car and car parts factories meant less need for electricity. Says Commissioner Monica Martinez:
“We’ve really dropped back in demand. And so when we looked at projections several years ago, we were going to continue to grow in demand. Well, with the economy everyone’s usage has shrunk.”
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“I’m very frustrated by this and frankly angry.”
In his office at the Capitol Tuesday, State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, was thinking back to the renewable portfolio standard that he agreed to in October 2008. The Governor, and her Public Service Commission chairman at the time, wanted 10% of all power sold to come from renewable sources by 2015. Bishop is a Republican:
“When we reviewed the information, the discussion wasn’t so much about increased need in the future. This idea of building cleaner, more efficient coal plants was contemplated in our legislation. For them now to say that it wasn’t, that we don’t need them now is contrary to the agreement and a breach of the agreement.”
On May 21, the DNRE refused to permit a coal plant in Rogers City. Right now, Michigan has 88 coal plants in 33 places. Many are a half-century old. Senator Bishop wants them replaced. Any new designs would still pollute, but they would pollute less. The League of Conservation Voters, based in Ann Arbor, scores the legislators. They gave Bishop a zero.
“I have to say I’ve never heard of the organization before. I’ve not seen what they’ve based their score card on.”
The League of Conservation Voters made a website, eyeonbishop.com. It accuses Bishop of ignoring the green jobs agenda, cutting funding for the Pure Michigan ad campaign and staying quiet on the Asian carp. Says Bishop:
“Think about the Great Lakes Compact, and what we’ve done with ballast water. We have, on a number of occasions, prevented ways in which invasive species have come into our state, the things that we can release into our water. We do this on a daily basis, we address concerns about the Great Lakes and the environment here in Michigan.
Off the top of my head, we also talked about withdrawing water from our, and regulating the way water is withdrawn from our state. We’ve stuck up to the foreigners who’ve come in and try to take our Great Lakes water. We’re now dealing with Asian carp.”
The League of Conservation Voters also started a website on representative Jeff Mayes [eyeonmayes.com]. He’s a Democrat from Bay City. He spoke May 21 at a ceremony for a new net-zero home unveiled in his district by Dow Chemical:
“I’m in full support of that plan being built. They will build coal generation, and new basal generation around the country. We need it right here in Michigan, to support investments by Dow Chemical, Dow Corning. We need large volumes of 24/7 energy to make the green energy products of tomorrow. There’s great support here within the community, and I think this plan is vital to that future.
This plan is going to be built to the highest standards, be more efficient, emit less carbon and less particulates. It’s going to be a very well-built plan that is going to have a positive impact on the environment.”
Jeff Mayes is running for State Senator. Mike Bishop is running for Attorney General. Environmental watchdog groups around the state are pleased that both politicians were denied coal plants. The groups and some utilities are starting to agree: new coal is too expensive, and other technology is available.
LCV was in existence since Sen Bishop was in High School, and they base their rankings on specific environmental votes. I simply can’t believe he never heard of them, and if that’s true its because he is purposfully blinded himself to them.
As for the new power plants Rep. Mayes supports, this would cause huge increases in power bills for ratepayers while doing nothing to increase generation. There are better ways to replace the old plants.