MICHIGAN ENERGY SHORTAGE COMING?

Utilities' report warns of energy shortage: Consumers, DTE urge building new power plants

Jay Greene, November 30, 2014 (Crain’s Detroit Business)

“Michigan's two largest utilities -- Consumers Energy and DTE Energy Co. -- are mounting a major public relations effort to make legislators and electric customers aware that a shortage of power generation reserve could occur in Michigan and the Midwest starting in 2016…[According to Electric Reliability in Michigan: The Challenge Ahead] the planned retirement of nine coal-fired power plants in Michigan over the next two years, reliability now also means the ability of power companies to provide adequate electricity to customers at peak demand…[The report explains] the difficulty that utility companies have in planning for future power generation…Although greater reliance on energy efficiency and renewable energy generation can increase electric supplies, DTE and Consumers officials say there is an urgent need to start planning to build new base load [natural gas] power plants…[that take] as long as six years to complete…[A] coalition of consumers, businesses and alternative energy suppliers…[argues that] allowing free choice of utilities or alternative suppliers would create competition that would force DTE and Consumers to reduce rates to keep their customers and market share…[and that more participation in regional grid operations will cut costs and increase reliability]…” click here for more

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