At the final Board meeting of the outgoing board, I expressed thanks to the outgoing Board for their service, but a call for the new Board to “Save The Campbell”. The speech can be heard at 5:24:44 of this video, and the text of it is here:
“Joseph Parnell McCarter, Georgetown Township – I would like to thank this Board- both OI and non-OI commissioners- for your time of service to the community in this closing term.
Regarding OI commissioners, among your accomplishments are the constitutional county resolution, ending the DEI Department, your pro-life resolution, and now your implementation of the pro-life message by funding Protect Life Michigan. We need to hold onto our principle of God-given rights and responsibilities.
Regarding non-OI commissioners, among your accomplishments are bringing vigorous debate and accountability to the table. We need to hold onto our principle of freedom of speech and press as historically understood in the US in order to maintain accountability of public leaders, because we are all fallen sinners in need of such accountability.
These principles are why I administer the Facebook group Ottawa County Public Square, which welcomes all citizens in the county to participate.
One disappointment I have had in this Board though is that it did not step up to the plate to “Save The Campbell” electric generating plant, in light of the fact that our regional electric grid operator MISO projects insufficient electric capacity by 2032, if not sooner, and recommends delaying closure of plants like the Campbell to avoid a dangerous situation. There is plenty of legal ammunition to delay closure if we will just avail of it. But the first step the county board needs to take is passing a resolution seeking delay.
Already the Jamestown, Blendon, and Zeeland Township boards have passed resolutions calling for delay, and we are encouraged that a number of additional boards will be joining them.
Furthermore, many local political leaders representing us in Lansing and Washington have indicated their concern with 2025 closure of the Campbell plant, including Representatives Huizenga, Meerman, Victory, and Slagh.
I hope the County Board in its new 2025 term will take up this common sense cause of delaying the closure of the Campbell which provides reliable, affordable, and environmental safe electric for 1 million regional residents. For those concerned about atmospheric carbon dioxide, there is always the option of carbon sequestration. At this time we need both coal and gas as our baseload electric for energy security. The Campbell plant is worth billions of dollars, and brings many benefits, including tax revenues and jobs.
Check out SaveTheCampbell.com for more information.
Thanks again for your service to the community, and thanks for considering this request to “Save The Campbell” in the new term ahead.”