ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Earlier in June, Consumers Energy released a proposed plan to phase out their coal burning plants by 2040 and add more renewable energy sources to generate electricity.
The Clean Energy Plan proposes retiring the Karn Generating Complex near Bay City, Michigan by 2023. The Campbell Generating Complex near Holland would continue to operate until the end of their design lives between 2031 and 2040.
Consumers Energy gathered input from individuals and stakeholders to compile their Clean Energy Plan, now under review by the Michigan Public Service Commission. The consensus is to shift toward renewable energy resources.
"A lot of people are passionate about renewable energy so we think the cost is very reasonable and it helps them be part of the renewable energy increase we have here at Consumers Energy," said Roger Morgenstern, the Senior Public Information Director.
The company has 11 percent renewable energy as of this year and are on track to reach Michigan's standard of 15 percent by 2021.
Consumers Energy plans to increase solar gardens and wind farms as a few sources of renewable energy. There are two operating solar gardens in West Michigan: one on the campus of Grand Valley State University in Allendale, and another at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
"It's a three MWh solar garden when it's fully functional," said Morgenstern.
Consumers Energy customers can participate in solar garden production.
"For as little as ten dollars a month, they can sign up and be part of this renewable revolution, if you will," said Morganstern. "If we get more subscribers we'll be looking at additional solar energy installations across the state of Michigan."
Michigan residents know that skies are not always sunny. To compensate for little solar energy intake, Consumers Energy is investing in battery technology. Two batteries are being installed in West Michigan within the next year; one will be located on Grand Rapids' west side and the other by Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
There are also wind farms owned by the company, with the nearest located in Ludington.
Consumers Energy believes that the shift toward renewable energy sources is environmentally responsible, as well as affordable to customers.
"It's like your investments. We think it's important to have a mixture of fuels," said Morgentern. "That mixture for us will change as time goes on with more of an emphasis on renewables."
The Clean Air Plan has the company reaching 43 percent renewable energy by 2040.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WZZM 13 app now.
Laura Hartman is a meteorologist at WZZM 13. You can contact her by email at lhartman@wzzm13.com, or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.