“Joseph Parnell McCarter, 6408 Wrenwood, volunteer leader of SaveTheCampbell effort.
We have had plenty of warnings that the current Net Zero path is leading us into dangerous territory, as evidenced by the following and more:
- In recent weeks Spain experienced a nationwide daylong blackout which nearly brought down a significant part of Europe’s grid. This blackout brought Spain to its knees, given virtually all societal systems stopped working.
- The UK is de-industrializing as it copes with the highest electric prices in the world and a tenuous grid.
- NERC and MISO reports warn of the effect of precipitous coal plant closures on the grid.
The best estimates are a 4.7 gigawatt shortfall in our regional grid by 2027 if planned plant closures like the Campbell proceed.
The current status of the “Save The Campbell” effort is as follows:
- Closure of the Campbell in the coming weeks is essentially a given, but the main practical question now concerns the timing of its dismantlement
- I hope the Ottawa County Board leadership changes its mind, but the leadership has stated on public media since the passage of its Campbell Resolution that Consumers Energy officials answered their questions, and so they seem unwilling to do anything more
- The Trump Administration is suing the State of Michigan and some other states over its Net Zero legislation and activity, and may do more. but it is unlikely to save the Campbell from demolition unless paired with local participation.
- Consumers Energy and its Michigan regulator MPSC seem determined to pursue the Net Zero agenda, including the rapid closure and demolition of the Campbell.
One option that Georgetown and other township boards have is to do nothing more, but one huge negative of this approach is that the longer local action is delayed, in all likelihood solutions will become much more expensive. For example, obtaining a suitable equivalent replacement for the Campbell is going to be very expensive, and may be preceded by pain.
Recommended actions at this point of the Georgetown Township and hopefully other boards:
- Invite major Campbell plant stakeholders to mediation discussion table with the goal of leaving the Campbell intact the coming several years so that it could be inexpensively restarted, especially if grid problems necessitate. Invitees could include representatives from Consumers Energy, the Trump Administration, MPSC, the County Board, and other township boards.
- Set up an exploratory committee represented by interested county township boards, working with an interested data center company that can help with the financing and obtain some of the electric, to consider the possibility of purchasing Consumers Energy’s interest in the Campbell , via a local electric cooperative, facilitated by the assistance of the County Board.
Throughout this process it has seemed the County Board has only acted once township boards first initiated action.
I would request the Utilities Committee of the GT Board consider these possibilities, and decide whether to pursue either one of the above recommendations or both. Thanks for your consideration of these and your community service.”