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The "Classic 7" refers to Consumers Energy's oldest coal fired plants in Michigan, all of which will be closed down by April 15, 2016.
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welcomes back
, the senior public information director for Consumers Energy, to give more details and discuss implications of these shutdowns on Michigan's energy future.
"We are a leader in this issue. Only one other utility in the country is shutting down more of their coal fired generation plants," Wheeler says. These soon-to-be closed plants represent one third of Consumer's coal power suppliers in Michigan.
After the official retirement of the Classic 7, Consumers Energy's carbon footprint will be reduced by 25%, with another 40% reduction in water use as well as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particles.
"The company has invested $2 billion in our five remaining coal plants to improve their efficiency and reduce their emissions so that we are continuing to be as clean and sustainable as we can moving forward," says Wheeler.
Wheeler also assures Consumers customers that when they flip the switch come April 15, the power will be on! Along with several small contracts the company has purchased a privately owned natural gas plant near Jackson to make up a majority of the difference.
"The world is changing; coal as the real backbone delivery for our state and our nation has diminished as we move toward natural gas and renewables. All in all, we are moving toward more energy efficiency," Wheeler says.
Wheeler and others at Consumers Energy admit the likelihood that another power plant in Michigan will need to be built eventually, but before that happens, they are hoping to have detailed ground rules laid out in partnership with legislators in Lansing by the end of 2016.
Aside from shutting down the old, April also brings new excitement with the opening of Consumers' first
site, covering 17 acres of land at Grand Valley State University, with another to open this fall at Western Michigan University.
"The hangup with solar energy has always been the cost because the return on investment is so dependent on sunshine, but we are continuing our research on this technology because so many people are interested in being clean and sustainable for future generations."
Click here to hear Wheeler's conversation with Heinze.
airs every Sunday evening at 7:00 on
and around the state each weekend via the Michigan Talk Network.