I am Joseph Parnell McCarter from Georgetown Township, representing the “Save the Campbell” side. Thank you for placing this issue on the agenda. Let me summarize information I gave you previously as well as in additional handouts today:
- Our regional grid operator MISO is indicating our grid is going to be in trouble in the coming years and so there needs to be a delay in plant closures. We are being warned about blackouts and other problems with the current closure schedule. MISO classifies solar and wind as unreliable sources of electric generation.
- On its books Consumers Energy may have enough generating capacity to cover demand, but what really matters is the condition of the regional grid, because it is inter-connected and Consumers may have to share its generating capacity with others when they are in trouble. Consumers is already in litigation with Wolverine Power over the way it broke contract in closing Campbell, leaving Wolverine Power and its customers high and dry.
- Consumers Energy purchase of the Covert plant did nothing to help the overall grid, because it was in operation and providing electric before the purchase.
- Not only are coal plants like Campbell on the chopping block for rapid closure, but so are gas plants. The Michigan Public Service Commission which regulates Consumers is already starting to pressure rapid closure of gas plants in the UP, and this is part of the UN agenda to close all fossil fuel plants rapidly, which Gov Whitmer and Atty Genl Nessell agree with. Gov Whitmer appoints MPSC members. Once the Campbell is demolished in 2025, we should anticipate gas plants come next for demolition.
- Consumers wrongly asserted only 5 years ago that Campbell unit 3 would remain open to 2040, and spent over $1 billion of customers’ money on anti-polluting equipment for it, yet a few years later changed direction and agreed to rapid closure. County citizens are shafted by the deal, but Consumers investors and top executives were financially rewarded. We should not trust when Consumers says now that its gas plants are safe from rapid closure.
- Ottawa County needs to act now instead of waiting to when we are in a weak condition. The Campbell is in Ottawa County, so the county has authority over it, unlike plants like Consumers’ Covert plant outside the county.
- Ottawa County has the legal ability if we choose to municipalize all electric in the county and place it in an electric cooperative, while retaining Consumers as sub-contractor. We also have the legal ability to municipalize the Campbell facility. And there are other legal tools we have, effectively becoming regulator in place of the Michigan Public Service Commission for county electric. But right now we should focus on unifying behind sending Consumers Energy a request for delay. Your board would join Jamestown Township, Georgetown Township, and hopefully others.
- Ottawa County right now needs BOTH coal and gas for our electric generation, because each helps with the weaknesses of the other. Especially in the winter when gas is in high demand, we need coal generation to help, and we certainly cannot depend upon solar and wind then.
- The Campbell provides electric to 1 million regional residents reliably, affordably, and safely, unlike the alternatives. It also provides many good area jobs, and significant tax revenues for area municipalities. We should take action and not let this be taken from us.
Thanks for considering this request.