Consumers Energy and DTE are now applying to MPSC to build new gas plants, because the currently planned plant level is not enough to keep up with increasing demand:
Since the inception of our effort, we at SaveTheCampbell.com have been saying that more fossil fuel plants would be needed if the Campbell were subtracted, but Consumers Energy executives have insisted that this is not the case. Now they admit more are needed. This knocks the foundation out from under Consumers Energy’s argument, meaning the Campbell should be re-tooled but not closed and demolished.
The “Save The Campbell” plan is far more economical than the Consumers Energy plan of building new gas plants from scratch. Furthermore, our plan is more energy secure, by keeping coal in the mix. The combination of coal and gas provides energy security, taking advantage of the special strengths of each.
Ottawa County is being shafted by Consumers Energy’s new plan. They want to demolish our reliable Campbell, plus convert our valuable farmlands into unreliable solar. Meanwhile, they want to build new gas plants on the east side of the state. The citizens of Ottawa County should oppose this new plan.