The plant began operating in 1962.[7] As of 2020, the plant had three units: unit 1 produces 265 MW, unit 2 produces 385 MW, and unit 3 produces 848 MW.[8]
All units were scheduled to be closed in May 2025 as per CMS Energy's plan to eliminate coal use by 2040.[9][10][11] Consumers Energy estimated that the closure would save ratepayers $600 million by 2040.[7] However, on May 23, 2025, the US Department of Energy ordered the plant to stay open "at least until late August [2025], citing possible electricity shortfalls in the central U.S."[2] Grid operator Midcontinent Independent System Operator stated, however, that it had "adequate resources to meet peak demand" during the summer of 2025 without the plant.[7] The Trump administration intervened again in August 2025 to extend the operation of the plant until at least November 2025, imposing costs of $1 million per day on ratepayers during the extended operating period.[7]
Environmental impact
In 2018, the plant released 7,917,510 tons of CO2, 4,547 tons of SO2, and 2,572 tons of NOx.[12]
There are three ponds at the plant which are used to store coal ash. Environmental groups like the Michigan Environmental Council claim that heavy metals and other residuals from these ponds have been leaking into groundwater. In response, CMS Energy is now emptying these ponds and transferring the coal ash to landfills.[13]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
