HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Consumers Energy is putting coal on the back burner.
The utility will stop generating electricity using coal by 2040 and will start closing its last five coal-fired power plants in 2023.
Jackson-based Consumers will be meeting the electricity needs of its customers by switching over to more renewable sources of power.
Under the plan, the company would increase renewable energy from 11 percent today to 37 percent by 2030 and 43 percent by 2040. At the same time, Consumers would be reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent.
President and CEO Patti Poppe called it a “pivotal moment” in the company’s history.
DTE Energy announced last year that it’s five remaining coal plants would also be closed by 2040.
