Consumers Energy Gets Ready To Close Plant After 64 Years

LUNA PIER, Mich. (AP) — Consumers Energy is getting ready to shut down a coal-fired southeastern Michigan power plant that's been operating for 64 years.

The utility hosted a media tour Thursday of the J.R. Whiting plant in Luna Pier. The plant produced enough power for about 300,000 households.

Jackson-based CMS Energy Corp.'s Consumers Energy unit said last month it was on track to close its seven oldest Michigan coal-fired plants this spring, including J.R. Whiting units 1, 2 and 3.

The seven plants are capable of generating nearly 1,000 megawatts of electricity. Consumers Energy says power generated by the Jackson Gas Plant will replace power from the seven plants and it will continue to invest in renewable energy, including wind power.

The shutdowns will leave Consumers Energy with five coal-fired plants in the state.