Michigan Coal Plants Buried --- What's Next?

 A new "Energy Tidbits" dispatch from the state tells it like it is: Plans for more dirty coal generation in Michigan are finished.

"Eight New Coal-Fired Plants were proposed in Michigan 3 years ago," according to the latest newsletter, from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.

"The State recently denied air quality permits for the last proposed coal-fired plant that requested one. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment said Holland's Board of Public Works can't build a new 78 MW plant to replace a smaller, older one because it's not needed.

"In February 2009, Governor Granholm issued an executive order requiring applicants for new coal-fired plants to prove need and that there were no viable alternative sources. Since then, none of the proposed plants has moved forward, either because the State denied permits or the companies changed plans. The State approved permits in December for CMS Energy's new coal-fired plant near Bay City, but CMS has put the $2 billion project on hold."

And so reason has prevailed. But what's next? How does Michigan prepare for future energy needs while not destroying the environment in the process?

Look up clean energy, as in wind and solar, and good old energy efficiency, a.k.a. "the low-hanging fruit." Each of these solutions brings with it jobs, cleaner air and a better future for Michigan.

Fossil fuels are a finite resource, and they will only get more expensive as time goes by. Clean, green energy is a resource whose full potential is untapped in Michigan. Technological advancements are ongoing. Wind and solar are getting more efficient and less expensive, while fossil generation from coal is getting more expensive.

And despite the "Clean Coal" moniker, dirty coal remains dirty.

Think about how the billions of dollars planned for new coal generation in Michigan could be put to use in rebuilding the state's economy. And remind your leaders.

--- Image via CleanTechnica