KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Consumers Energy says its customers will benefit from the closure of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in 2018.
Spokesperson Brian Wheeler says that’s because the utility will be able to buy electricity from less expensive sources.
“We’re predicting that our customers will actually save a grand total of $172 million,” Wheeler said.
Entergy and Consumers opted to cut their power purchase agreement four years short on Thursday, with the company saying the plant was becoming less financially viable due in part to sagging energy prices pushed lower by reduced cost for natural gas.
They also said it was becoming more expensive to generate power and maintain the 45-year-old facility, which has been prone to shutdowns, fines and other problems.
