“We often hear about the total expenses, but we don’t hear about the income brought in by that plant.”
Ottawa County Commissioner Sylvia Rhodea says the numbers she’s seen show the extended operation of the J.H. Campbell Power Plant in West Olive is actually earning profits for Consumers Energy.
“As of September, the cost was estimated to be 30 million dollars, and the profit was estimated to be 31point 4 million. They are making at least that much in profit.”
But in October the utility reported an 80-million-dollar loss after subtracting J.H. Campbell income. Consumers planned to retire the coal plant at the end of May, but the Trump administration ordered continued operation to ensure an adequate supply of electricity. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is in court trying to overturn the order.
“Consumers energy has said we don’t need this coal plant. It’s going to cost so much more money to keep it open.”
Nessel and others say the order to keep the plant open is a political move to support the coal industry.
And commissioner Allison Miedema says any additional cost won’t all be on Ottawa County or Michigan.
“The costs are spread throughout many states not just here.”
