Karn/Weadock Generating Complex Expansion

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The Karn/Weadock Generating Complex Expansion was a proposed 930-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant to be built by Consumers Energy, a subsidiary of CMS Energy.

The plant would have been built at at an existing 2,101 megawatt (MW) power complex that includes 930 MW of coal-fired capacity (the Weadock Generating Plant and the Karn Generating Plant). Consumers Energy would use 500 MW from the new plant, with the remaining capacity allocated to unannounced co-owners, likely Michigan municipal power entities.[1]

It was announced on May 27, 2009, that CMS Energy was deferring, not canceling, the plant because of "reduced customer demand for electricity due to the recession, forecasted lower natural gas prices due to recent developments in shale gas recovery technology, and projected surplus generating capacity in the Midwest market."[2]

In late December, 2009, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality approved the "permit to install" for the facility.[3]

The Sierra Club announced in February 2011 that "Consumers Energy has officially abandoned plans to build its proposed $2 billion coal-fired power plant in Bay County, Michigan. Consumers deferred construction of the plant back in May 2010, and this latest announcement is the final death knell for the project."[4]

Project Details

Sponsor: Consumers Energy (CMS Energy)
Location: Bay City, Bay County, Michigan
Capacity: 930 MW[5]
Type: Supercritical pulverized coal
Status: Cancelled

Background

December 2011: Consumers Energy cancels plant

On December 2, 2011, Consumers Energy announced that is was cancelling the proposed 930 megawatt Karn/Weadock Generating Complex Expansion because of "reduced customer demand for electricity due to the recession and slow economic recovery, surplus generating capacity in the Midwest market, and lower natural gas prices linked to expanded shale gas supplies."

In addition, the company announced that it was suspending operations by the end of 2014 at seven existing generating units, included two units at the Whiting Generating Plant, two units at the Cobb Generating Plant, and two at the Karn Weadock Generating Complex. The company reported that it began construction in November 2011 of its first wind farm, the 100 MW Lake Winds Energy Park, in Mason County. Consumers Energy is also developing the 150 MW Cross Winds Energy Park in Tuscola County.[6]

May 2010: Consumers Energy announces delay in Karn Construction

On May 25, 2010, CMS Energy announced that the Karn project will be delayed, due to changes in the marketplace, reduced projections of energy demand, and lower prices of Natural Gas. According to the Jackson Citizen-Patriot, Consumer's home town paper, the move is a temporary one, and the Karn plant still figures prominently in Consumer's Energy plans.[7]

After taking a week to digest the news, The Bay City Times[8] accepted the fact that Michigan's power demand did not warrant a new multibillion dollar complex. In their response, the editors expressed hope that the plant was down, but not out, and might be revived in the future.

The editors noted that, "With millions of gallons of oil now gushing into the Gulf of Mexico from the BP oil well catastrophe, just weeks after a coal mine disaster in West Virginia that killed dozens, our nation’s ambivalence toward the old-fashioned energy sources of “black gold” has never run deeper", and counseled that Bay City and the Saginaw Valley should "seize the moment", and determine to lead in the wind and solar industry.

As reactions set in, The Detroit Free Press published a point/counter point discussion, between Marty Kushler,[9] director of the utilities program for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, and Wayne Schmidt, a Republican state representative from Traverse City.[10]

Video from Terry Miller, Bay City MI

Early press reports here:

Bay City Times news report

Bay City Times editorial response

Consumers will accelerate investment in wind farms

Detroit News Account

Associated Press

Crain's Detroit Business

Saginaw News

WNEM News

Michigan Radio

Midland Daily News

Reactions from Around the State

CMS Energy Press release

Regulatory Hurdles

In late December, 2009, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality approved the "permit to install" for the facility.[11]

According to the Detroit Free Press, "The move to approve the 830 megawatt plant in Hampton Township had Consumers Energy rejoicing, but environmentalists lambasting the decision." “This permit moves our project a step closer to creating badly need jobs and boosting the state’s economy,” said John Russell, Consumers’ president and chief operating officer, according to the Free Press.

Anne Woiwode, the director of the Sierra Club’s Michigan chapter, told the paper, “Building a coal plant Michigan doesn’t need near Bay City will saddle ratepayers with terrible costs and waste investors’ money”.

A number of questions remain to be answered before work might begin on the project. Consumer's Energy outlined the process that must be followed to make the plan a reality.[12] "Whether we end up building a coal plant or don't … we don't think it has a dramatic impact on our future plans," Consumer's chairman Davdi Joos told the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

The permit calls for Consumer's to close five older units[13] following the operation of the new plant,[14] and two additional units depending on customer need. [15] 5 older units on completion of the new plant, and two more depending on electical demand.[16]

According to the Detroit News, "The $2 billion project is expected to create 1,800 construction jobs and more than 100 permanent jobs after the start of operation in 2017."[17] The News article pointed out that "Consumers Energy still has to win approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission to begin construction on the plant. The utility must file for a certificate of necessity, which it hopes to do in 2010. The project will then undergo a much more rigorous hearing process in which the public will have a chance to weigh in and state energy regulators scrutinize the plan, including the effect closing older coal-fired plants will have on emissions..."

State Senator Jim Barcia, and Rep. Jeff Mayes, both Democrats, of Bay City, hailed the decision.[18] "I'm very excited that the Karn-Weadock expansion is back on track," said Mayes, Chair of the House Energy and Technology Committee. "Senator Barcia and I have worked hard to restart this process because businesses are looking for certainty when it comes to making major investments. Now that the DEQ is ready to move forward, we're one step closer to creating thousands of jobs for our community."

The Detroit News published editorials urging that the plant be built on January 2,[19] and again on January 26.[20] The Bay City Times also weighed in in favor of the plant.[21]

Environmentalists questioned whether ratepayers should be saddled with the costs of the new facility during a recession,[22] and a coaliton of citizen's groups announced in February 2010 that the fight was "far from over."[23]

Various strategies are being developed, but the coalition of environmental groups said that Consumers Energy still has a high hurdle to cross in proving that the plant is needed. A so called "Certificate of Need" proceeding before the state Public Service Commission is scheduled to begin in late summer, and citizens will be invited to submit comments on the project.

As if to underline citizen's concerns, Consumer's warned investors that new regulations could effect costs on the Karn project. [24]

According to an article in the Michigan Messenger "in a conference call with investors the company acknowledged serious legal and regulatory obstacles to the development of it’s proposed new 830 megawatt plant planned for the Karn/Weadock complex."

State and National

• Michigan Liberal
• Washington Post
• State Rep Jeff Mayes, and Senator Jim Barcia

Michigan Public Service Commission - No need for Karn Plant

Bruce Nilles, National Coal Campaign Director from the Sierra Club Discusses Decision

September 8, 2009, the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC), the body which regulates utility rates, expenditures and profits, has released[25] an evaluation[5] of Consumer Energy's proposed Karn-Weadock expansion.

The PSC staff wrote that Consumer's had not established the need for the new power plant.

The PSC wrote:

"Consumers Energy’s long-term capacity need is unjustified without the explicit retirement of existing coal capacity in its baseload generation fleet. Given Consumers Energy’s load growth assumption of approximately 0.3% per year, coupled with anticipated effects of energy efficiency and demand reduction initiatives, the longterm projected capacity need before the assumed expiration of the Palisades Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) in 2022 is based primarily on assumed retirement of approximately 950 MW of existing coal capacity."
"Staff notes that the proposed ASCPC plant is one alternative out of a range of alternatives that may be used to fill the projected capacity need. Other alternatives that may fill all or portions of the projected capacity need include; energy efficiency and load management; renewable resources; or a combination of a number of alternatives that could include lesser amounts of purchased power."
"Consumers Energy’s long-term capacity need is unjustified with the explicit retirement of existing coal capacity in its baseload generation fleet," the staff report said.[26]

Jeff Holyfield, Consumers’ director of news and information, said the Jackson-based utility is “very disappointed with the conclusion of the staff report, and frankly, we disagree with the conclusion.[27]

The order directs the PSC to give technical assistance to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the agency charged with issuing permits authorizing construction of new plants. The two agencies decided in April that the PSC would give assistance as needed and spearhead the evaluation of applicants' alternatives analysis, reporting back to the DNR.[28]

The report is one piece of a large review under way by the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The report now goes to the DEQ and will be taken under consideration when the state agency decides on whether to issue air quality permits for the plant, as well as for another proposed plant in Rogers City, MI.[29]

The utility is still reviewing the decision. "We're very disappointed by this staff report," said Consumers public information director Dan Bishop. "We'll be reviewing it, we'll be evaluating our options."[30]

Additional Media stories:

WILX.COM
Livingston Daily
Marquette TV6

Statewide Opposition Regroups

Citizen's groups around the state have coalesced around a multi pronged approach to opposing the Karn expansion.[31] A number of activities including a petition drive and a video contest are in progress as of early 2010. In addition, several groups are planning more traditional challenges within the regulatory structure.

The California based group As You Sow will sponsor a stockholder resolution[32] at the stockholder meeting in early march. Shocked by a billion gallon spill of toxic coal ash at a TVA facility in late 2008, citizen's groups have asked for closer monitoring of the material, which some fear may be leaching into water supplies. According to The Michigan Messenger, Consumers has only said that they are considering the request at this time.

Many in the opposition said that building a new coal plant at a time when the country is moving toward a renewable economy is a bad idea. “For coal burning, outside of Texas, we are the only state that has an investor-owned utility proposing a new coal plant, so we really are at ground zero [of the environmental fight],” said Tiffany Hartung, of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “To have this many proposed coal plants in a state that does not produce any coal at all just doesn't make any sense.”[33]

Another approach will be to challenge the economic necessity for the plant at a "Certificate of Need" proceeding before the Michigan Public Service Commission which will commence in August, 2010. The National Resources Defense Council has announced that it will challenge the utility's assumptions on cost and demand for this plant at that proceeding.[34] The group has issued a study which questioned the need for the plant. According to Rebecca Stanfield, an attorney in the group's Chicago office, "This is definitely far from over."[35]

In late March, 2010, the National Resources Defense Council filed a lawsuit questioning the need for the plant.[36] The National Resource Defense Council's attorney, Shannon Fisk, told the Bay City Times, “We believe that the DNRE failed to evaluate cleaner energy alternatives to the proposed coal plant in an objective way and failed to set the stringent emission limits on the coal plant that are required by the Clean Air Act,”.[37] The groups say that the state is not requiring the "Best Available Control technology" for pollutants.[38] Local officials were critical of environmentalists, who are seen as holding up economic progress and jobs.

Mayes Targeted

State Rep. Jeff Mayes, a democrat representing Bay City, has been spotlighted by the League of Conservation Voters for his outspoken support of the Karn-Weadock expansion. The group has launched a website, eyeonmayes.com to track Rep. Mayes voting record on Environmental Issues. According to the Bay City Times,"besides the Web site, members of (LCV) will be making phone calls and knocking on doors, urging people to ask Mayes to improve his voting record."

"He has a pretty good record" on issues like protecting the Great Lakes from Asian carp and preserving coastlines, Duggan said. "But, unfortunately, it's getting worse," with support of constructing new coal plants at a time when the Michigan Public Service Commission has said they're not needed."[39]

Economics of New Coal Plant Questioned

Local TV report

A new report[40]

commissioned by the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council was released on April 8, 2010, questioning the Consumer's Energy coal plan on economic grounds.

In a press release, the Michigan Sierra Club announced, "Ratepayers will be forced to pay significantly more money on their energy bills if Consumers Energy builds a new coal plant in Bay City that regulators say is not needed and which thousands of citizens have opposed for years".

The report's author is Tom Sanzillo, a former assistant Comptroller of the State of New York, and currently a senior associate with T.R. Rose Associates of New York City.

According to Mr. Sanzillo, ”With the introduction of new energy markets that have developed over the last five to ten years, coal has become less competitive and a riskier investment, ..this report shows that if the Karn-Weadock plant is built, ratepayers will see an increase in their electric bills well beyond what is considered within the normal bounds of typical increases in Michigan.”

The report predicts that ratepayers will see price rises of an additional $33 per year, on top of their 'normal" rate increases of 4 or 5 percent, meaning rates will rise by 70 or more dollars per year for the average consumer.

Background

Consumer's Energy has stored ash from years of coal burning in landfills at the Karn site on the shore of Saginaw Bay. The site has been identified as the source of toxic metals leaching into the bay. Now, the site has been named on a national list of toxic coal ash sites recently released by Earthjustice, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit.[41] Concern about coal ash sites has been heightened nationally following a disastrous release of coal ash from a Tennessee landfill.[42]

The Detroit News has now reported on the controversy surrounding coal ash at Karn Weadock and across the country.[43] According to the News, "before the end of the year, the federal government will decide whether the leftover ash from the coal-burning process should be considered a hazardous substance." The decision will have a major impact on decisions for power generation.

Coal Ash disposal has also arisen[44] as an issue around the proposed Wolverine Power Cooperative plant slated for Roger's City, MI.

The North Lansing Landfill, operated by the Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL), is among 24 coal ash dumps identified in a 2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report as sites of “proven damage” to groundwater.

Lithium, manganese, potassium, selenium and strontium have been detected in the groundwater under the landfill.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality confirmed the EPA report that some toxins have migrated off the dump site and that beyond the border of the landfill lithium is present in the groundwater above levels considered safe for drinking water.

“We have a time bomb ticking in Michigan,” said Lee Sprague, clean energy campaign manager for the Michigan chapter of the Sierra Club. “[Toxins from coal ash] will get into the water table.”[45]

From a Consumer's Energy Fact Sheet.

"The Karn/Weadock generating complex is Consumers Energy’s largest power production site and consists of three separate plants: the 310-megawatt coal-fueled Weadock plant; the 511-megawatt coal-fueled Karn 1 and 2 plant; and the 1,276-megawatt natural gas- and oil-fueled Karn 3 and 4 plant.

Together, the six Karn/Weadock units can generate up to 2,101 megawatts, enough to meet the electric needs of more than 1.3 million people. The total output accounts for about 25 percent of the company’s annual electricity production.

The plant uses 3 million tons of coal per year, which it receives by ship and rail. The two oil and gas units are considered peakers, because they are used during periods of high customer demand. The plant uses 1.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year and 23 million gallons of fuel oil per year."

Source: Consumer's Energy
Karn.jpg
Existing Karn Units 1 and 2, Baseload Coal,
and units 3 & 4, - Oil and Gas fired Peaking Boilers.
Source: Consumer's Energy
Coal Fact3.jpg		 Source: Consumer's Energy
Coal Fact2.jpg

Proposed Karn expansion, with existing Karn in foreground, left,
and existing Weadock in foreground, right. Note rail line and

shipping dock for incoming coal
Source: Bay City Times
Landfill.jpg

Consumers Energy filed an application with the Securites and Exchange Commission in September 2007, and with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in October.[46]

On Nov. 26, the Hampton Township Board of Trustees approved a $10 million tax break for the project. Consumers held a public hearing on Nov. 27, at which both supporters and opponents of the project expressed their viewpoints.[47]

Opposition is being led by Clean Energy Now, a coalition of Michigan environmental groups.[48]

Opposition groups face powerful momentum the project has generated with local union groups. In September 2008, the Bay City Times editorialized in favor of the new plant.[49]

The large number of pending coal-fired power plant proposals in Michigan have delayed the state's Department of Environmental Quality in processing Consumers Energy's application for an Air Quality permit. The DEQ expects the review to last into 2009, with a public comment period extended from the standard 30 days to 60 days because of concern from state and national environmental groups.[50]

Michigan's new energy legislation is seen by many local observers as favorable to the development of the new plant in the Bay City area.[51]

The Lone Tree Council, a Bay City area environmental group, uncovered information that two massive ash landfills holding the concentrated residue of coal burned at a power plant in Bay County have been leaking toxics to the Saginaw Bay for years. The group discovered the issue while combing through state records on plans for a new 800-megawatt power plant at the Consumers Energy Karn-Weadock facility in Hampton Township.[52] The investigation continues to turn up more evidence of toxic release.[53]

In October 2007, Consumers Energy filed its air permit application with the Michigan DEQ. In July 2008, Consumers Energy turned in their second draft of MACT determinations after the first version was rejected.[54] Consumer's has now also filed an analysis of energy alternatives. Environmentalists immediately criticized the document.[55] "It looks like they're trying to justify a plant we don't need," according to David Gard, an energy expert for the Michigan Environmental Council.

In November, 2009, a statewide petition by ratepayers and environmental groups asked Consumer's Energy to drop plans for the plant.[56]

Stormy Public Hearing Process

On April 14th and 15th, 2009, a Department of Environmental Quality, (DEQ) panel heard arguments for and against the proposed Karn/Weadock Coal plant expansion. The event was preceded by a highly publicized ramping up on the part of proponents and opponents of the project.[57] Bay City reps Jeff Mayes, and James Barcia, both Democrats, fell in line with labor unions in support of the plant, and the promised 1800 constrution jobs it might bring to the hard hit region. The Bay City Times quoted Barcia saying, "Obviously, Jeff and I are pleased the process is back on track," Barcia said. "We can't afford to wait a minute to create jobs and to provide new energy." The Bay City Times editorialized in support of the Weadock expansion[58]

After months gearing up for what will be an epic statewide battle,[59] including an informational session on March 26,[60], the process has now begun in earnest.

For activists and interested parties, Documents relevant to the Consumer's Energy permit process are online.

DEQ process begins Acrimoniously

Terry Miller of the Lone Tree Council states the case against the Karn-Weadock expansion.
Janea Little of MidlandCares speaks to media
and demonstrators outside Bay Valley Conference Center.

Citizens questioned the objectivity of news reports that begin by describing the project as a "clean coal" plant.

Some television coverage attempted to give both sides. None of the TV pictures captured the loud,[61] acrimonious,[62] and even intoxicated behavior among the Power Plant proponents.

This portion of the DEQ hearing process was intended to solicit community input into the Air Quality determination of the DEQ. Technically, only comments on actual air quality issues were to be considered as relevant, but almost none of the commenters restricted their statements to those issues.

The process, instead, became a forum and a bit of a theatrical exercise, to see who could turn out the biggest, and loudest crowd. Clearly, local unions had been very active in promoting attendance among their members, and were the largest contingent.

An impressive number of local individuals, however, rose to speak against the project. The process took place over two days, in a conference room at the Bay Valley Golf and Country club, a location that may not have been ideal because the liquor served on the premises may have fueled some of the excesses of the first day's proceedings. Witnesses described the smell of alcohol very much in evidence. Women in the audience, in particular, reported being intimidated, and many felt the need to be escorted to their cars. A number of "anti" coal attendees, intimidated by the crowd, decided against speaking at all.

The second day's event was somewhat quieter, as the "pro coal" crowd may have been somewhat chastened by negative media coverage. Significantly, on the second day, a large contingent of student activists[63] arrived in several buses, and attended a boisterous rally preceding the hearing.

The process is nowhere near completed, and observers expect more acrimony,[64] and even lawsuits, before the plant construction begins, if ever.[65]

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References

  1. ↑ Consumers Energy, "Consumers Energy Announces Selection of Site for New Clean Coal Power Plant", Media Release, PR Newswire, September 14, 2007.
  2. ↑ "Consumers Energy, Principal Subsidiary of CMS Energy, Announces It Is Deferring Development of Clean Coal Plant in Michigan" CME Energy Press Release, May 27, 2010.
  3. ↑ Air permit OK’d for power plant near Bay City"Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press, December 29, 2009"
  4. ↑ "Karn/Weadock Generating Complex Expansion" Sierra Club, accessed June 10, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Consumers Energy Electric Generation Alternatives Analysis For Proposed Permit to Install (PTI) No. 341-07 For an Advanced Supercritical Pulverized Coal Boiler at the Karn-Weadock Generating Station, Essexville, Michigan", Michigan Public Service Commission, September 8, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Consumers Energy announces cancellation of proposed new coal plant, continued substantial investments in major coal units, anticipated suspension of operation of smaller units in 2015," Consumers Energy press release, December 2, 2011
  7. ↑ 'Consumers Energy suspends plans to build $2 billion coal plant near Bay City," Chris Gautz, Jackson Citizen-Patriot, May 27, 2010
  8. ↑ "Coal Plant Delay a Downer, but not a knockout punch," Bay City Times, June 6, 2010
  9. ↑ New Coal Plants would Prove Costly to State and Consumers"Martin Kushler, Detroit Free Press, June24, 2010"
  10. ↑ Jobs and Opportunities Lost for Northern Michigan"Wayne Schmidt, Detroit Free Press, June 24, 2010"]
  11. ↑ Air permit OK’d for power plant near Bay City"Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press, December 29, 2009"
  12. ↑ CMS Energy officials outline steps needed to make new coal plant reality"Chris Gaultz, Jackson Citizen Patriot, March 3, 2010"
  13. ↑ Editorial: Will aging power plant be a global warming casualty?"Muskegon Chronicle, January 6, 2010"
  14. ↑ Will Aging Plants be a casualty of Global Warming?"Muskegon Chronicle,January 6, 2010"
  15. ↑ MDEQ approves permit for $2 billion Consumers energy Coal-fired plant, "Amy Lane, Crain's Detroit Business, December 29, 2009"
  16. ↑ Consumers Energy official says there's no immediate plan for Cobb plant closure"Lee Lupo, The Muskegon Chronicle, January 15, 2010"
  17. ↑ State Gives Consumer's Energy permit for coal-fired power plant"Christina Rogers, Detroit News, December 29, 2009"
  18. ↑ Mayes and Barcia Hail DEQ's Decision to Move Forward on Karn-Weadock Plant"Senator Jim Barcia, December 29, 2009"
  19. ↑ Quick Hits:Build the Power Plant"The Detroit News, January 2, 2010"
  20. ↑ http://detnews.com/article/20100126/OPINION01/1260320/1008/opinion01/Editorial--Michigan-needs-expansion-of-Bay-City-coal-fired-plant#ixzz0djQhO399"The Detroit News, January 26, 2010"
  21. ↑ Our Voice: Coal plant air permit is another answer in a necessary, continuing debate"The Bay City Times, January 3, 2010"
  22. ↑ Bay County coal plant 'truth' taken out of context, Consumers says"Jeff Kart, Bay City Times, January 15, 2010"
  23. ↑ Groups Renew Push to Stop Bay City Coal Plant"Glenn Puitt, Michigan Land Use Institute, February 26, 2010"
  24. ↑ CMS Energy warns investors of new coal costs"Eartha Jane Melzer, Michigan Messenger, March 26, 2010"
  25. ↑ MPSC Staff Submits Report Related to Consumers Energy's Proposed New Coal-Fired Plant to the DEQ"Judy Painau, michigan.gov newswire, September 8, 2009"
  26. ↑ Kathleen Gray, http://www.freep.com/article/20090908/BUSINESS06/90908047/1202/RSS "Study casts doubt on need for coal-fired generator", Detroit Free Press, September 9, 2009"
  27. ↑ Amy Lane, "State Public Service Commission report: Consumers coal plant near Bay City not needed until 2022", Crain's Detroit Business, September 8, 2009.
  28. ↑ Kerry Bleskan, "Michigan: Coal plants not the best option for Consumers Energy, Wolverine", SNL Financial, September 8, 2009.
  29. ↑ Christina Rogers, "Report: Michigan won't need new coal power plants for 13 years", The Detroit News, September 8, 2009.
  30. ↑ http://www.wwj.com/MPSC--Coal-Power-Plants-Not-Needed/5171174 "MPSC: Coal Power Plants Not Needed"], WWJ, September 8, 2009.
  31. ↑ Groups Renew Push to Stop Bay City Coal Plant"Glenn Puitt, Michigan Land Use Institute, Feb. 26, 2010"
  32. ↑ Consumers Energy faces shareholder resolution over coal ash"Eartha Melzer, Michigan Messenger, Feb. 1, 2020"
  33. ↑ Groups Renew Push to Stop Bay City Coal Plant"Glenn Puitt, Michigan Land Use Institute, Feb. 26, 2010"
  34. ↑ National environmental group to oppose permit for Bay County coal plant"Jeff Kart, Bay City Times, Jan. 3, 2010"
  35. ↑ National environmental group to oppose permit for Bay County coal plant"Jeff Kart, Bay City Times, Jan. 3, 2010"
  36. ↑ Groups Aim to Block Coal Plant"Rina Miller, Michigan Public Radio,April 2, 2010"
  37. ↑ Lawsuit argues new Bay County coal plant isn't clean enough, could delay project"Jeff Kart, Bay City Times, April 1, 2010"
  38. ↑ NRDC, Sierra Club sue Michigan over permit for new coal plant"Eartha Melzer, Michigan Messenger, April 2, 2010"
  39. ↑ UPDATE: Michigan Rep. Mayes Targeted by Environmental Group For His Support of Coal-Fired Power"Jeff Kart, Bay City Times, March 18, 2010"
  40. ↑ New Bay County coal plant will raise your annual bill by at least $33, Michigan enviro groups say"Jeff Kart, Bay City Times, April 8 2010"]
  41. ↑ Jeff Kart, "Consumers Energy ash piles named on national list of dangerous sites", The Bay City Times, September 4, 2009.
  42. ↑ Coal's Toxic Sludge"Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, March 17, 2010"
  43. ↑ Debate rages over coal ash power plant waste"Jim Lynch, The Detroit News, Nov. 16, 2009"
  44. ↑ In Rogers City, Strong Criticism of Coal Ash Proposal"Glenn Puitt, Great Lakes Bulletin News Service, September 10, 2009"
  45. ↑ [http://michiganmessenger.com/11691/coal-ash-dumps-a-time-bomb-for-michigan-water-environmentalists-say Eartha Melzer, The Michigan Messenger, January 16, 2010"
  46. ↑ Consumers Energy, Consumers Energy SEC 10-Q Filing, Securities and Exchange Commission website, September 30, 2007.
  47. ↑ "Trustees Approve Tax Breaks for Proposed Power Plant", Bay City Times, November 27, 2007.
  48. ↑ Clean Energy Now, accessed January 2008.
  49. ↑ "Michigan needs coal to build its clean energy future," Bay City Times, September 14, 2008.
  50. ↑ Jeff Kart, "Environmental regulations, concerns push back Karn-Weadock project," Bay City Times, September 1, 2008.
  51. ↑ Jeff Kart, "Energy plan paves way for new power plant in Hampton Township," Bay City Times, September 19, 2008.
  52. ↑ Jeff Kart, "Ash landfills at Consumers Energy plant are leaking toxics into Saginaw Bay," Bay City Times, October 30, 2008.
  53. ↑ Jeff Kart, "Ash landfills continue to stir debate", Bay City Times, November 26, 2008.
  54. ↑ "Stopping the Coal Rush", Sierra Club, accessed November 2008. (This is a Sierra Club list of new coal plant proposals.)
  55. ↑ Jeff Kart, "Consumers Energy report: Coal plant still needed in Bay County", Bay City Times, June 5, 2009.
  56. ↑ Statewide petition urges Consumers Energy to dump plans for new Bay County coal plant"Jeff Kart, Bay City Times, Nov. 20, 2009"
  57. ↑ Eric English and Jeff Kart, "Bay County power plant permit process restarted by DEQ", The Bay City Times, February 24, 2009"
  58. ↑ "Coal Fired Plant Can Power Michigan's Future", Bay City Times, March 1, 2009"
  59. ↑ Jeff Kart, Battle over Coal Plant Coming to Bay County", Bay City Times, March 10, 2009"
  60. ↑ Jeff Kart, "Coal plant opponents, supporters question DEQ officials", Bay City Times, March 27, 2009"
  61. ↑ Speakers whistle and boo as public hearing on Consumers Energy coal plant turns nasty", Bay City Times, April 16, 2009
  62. ↑ Jeff Kart, Coal plant emotions run high, but don't let them run away "The Bay City Times, April 30, 2009"
  63. ↑ Cheryl Wade, "Students Protest Coal Plant", The Midland Daily News, April 16, 2009.
  64. ↑ Debate over a proposed coal plant has mobilized both camps"Jeff Kart, Bay City Times, May 7, 2009'
  65. ↑ Jeff Kart, "Expect more hearings, more permits, maybe a lawsuit, before new coal-fired power plant is built", The Bay City Times, April 23, 2009.
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