Environment
Coal-fired plants to close; wind and air to step up
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BY NICK MCWHERTER
Capital News Service
LANSING- Wind farms and solar power are finally getting a big-scale opportunity to prove their worth. Consumers Energy announced last week the closure of seven coal-fired power plants in Michigan and cancelled construction of another to focus on clean energy. Consumers Energy provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents. Consumers will phase out three plants at the J.R. Whiting Generating Complex near Luna Pier, two at the B.C. Cobb Generating Plant in Muskegon and two at the Karn/Weadock Generating Complex near Bay City. Many of these coal-fired plants are outdated, including some built in the early 1950s, said Dan Bishop, public information officer for Consumers Energy.