Chris Wright: “We need to grow the supply of affordable reliable electricity in Michigan.”
During a subcommittee hearing Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Michigan Congressman John James why, just 8 days before its retirement, he ordered Consumers Energy to keep operating the J.H. Campbell power plant at least through the peak summer months.
John James: “Can you please walk me through the administration's reasoning for this order?”
Chris Wright: “Yes, the system operator in which this plant exists in the mid-west is the lowest reserve margin we have meaning the greatest risk of blackout.”
J.H. Campbell is Consumers last coal burning power plant. It was scheduled to close May 31st, even though one of its three generators still has 15 years of life expectancy remaining.
Chris Wright: “And closing the coal plant with 15 years left in its average lifetime for political reasons, to show we are going to move away from coal, that is not in the best interests of Michigan rate payers.”
Consumers Energy says closing the plant will save millions of dollars. Ten environmental groups and the Michigan attorney general are asking a judge to block the emergency order. Otherwise, New Jersey congressman Frank Pallone says, customers will end up paying; “Those extra costs could cost homeowners and businesses tens of millions of dollars."
Chris Wright: "Keeping the coal plant open in southwestern Michigan, you need to be able to keep the lights on.”
