At the Friday, December 6, 2024 Utilities Committee of the Georgetown Township Board I proposed the following draft resolution (in replacement of the original draft which lost in a 3 to 4 vote of the new Township Board, even though there is every reason to believe it would have been approved by the old Township Board):
“WHEREAS, The Campbell Coal Plant has been a vital part of our community’s energy infrastructure for years, providing reliable power and supporting local jobs; and
WHEREAS, the plant contributes significantly to the local economy, employing workers directly and supporting additional jobs in related industries; and
WHEREAS, The Campbell Coal Plant has implemented various measures to reduce emissions and enhance efficiency, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility; and
WHEREAS, the plant plays a crucial role in maintaining energy stability and affordability for residents and businesses in the West Michigan Region; and
WHEREAS, carbon sequestration technology is rapidly developing and could be used in lieu of fossil fuel plant closure; and
WHEREAS, regional grid operator MISO recommends a delay in the currently planned fossil fuel plant closures in order to avoid undue risks to the regional electric grid; and
WHEREAS, Michigan law allows Consumers Energy to request and Michigan Public Service Commission to grant fossil fuel plant closure delays to avoid endangerment of the regional electric grid ; and
WHEREAS, Michigan law recognizes the important role of municipalities with respect to utility services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Georgetown Charter Township Board hereby expresses its support for the delay in the closure and demolition of The Campbell Coal Plant as part of our energy strategy.”
There were two chief concerns voiced by new Township Board members regarding the originally proposed resolution:
- Some Board members were concerned along environmental lines
- Some Board members were concerned it had no legal teeth for success
The new draft resolution does not contradict those with an environmental concern about rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. (It should be kept in mind the Campbell plant has new anti-polluting equipment which scrubs these, but nothing has been added to decrease carbon dioxide emissions. Over $1 billion was expended in the Campbell in the last decade to add these.) The new draft resolution addresses those with legal concerns because it incorporates the legal path for delaying the closure and demolition, as well as pointing out the legal rationale for Georgetown Township and other local municipalities to be involved in this matter.
I philosophically prefer the originally proposed board resolution because I am not personally persuaded atmospheric carbon dioxide is dangerous in the range it currently exists (.04% of the earth’s atmosphere) or will likely increase to. Indeed, I agree with Dr. William Happer and other experts that the current rate of increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide is a net benefit. But I have to be realistic, and this newly proposed resolution adapts to current political and legal realities.