COVERT, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Entergy may be starting to step out of West Michigan, but not before explaining its plans for the Palisades Power Plant and perhaps leaving a parting gift.
An informational open house that officials say “will give community members the opportunity to speak with subject matter experts about Palisades Power Plant’s safe and reliable operations and community involvement” runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.this evening at the plant’s Emergency Operations Facility/Joint Information Center off of West Main Street in Benton Harbor. The session will begin with an hour-long poster board session, followed by a formal presentation and public Q&A.
Citing costs for generating nuclear power as compared to the lower energy price for other sources, most notably natural gas, Entergy and Consumers Energy had wanted to close the venerable plant near Covert next October. However, the result of a state Public Service Commission Order in September led the two companies to continue operations at Palisades through the spring of 2022, when the current Power Purchase Agreement is set to expire. This reconsideration delighted local civic and business leaders, as the plant is Van Buren County’s biggest employer, but chagrined opponents such as Beyond Nuclear, who disagrees with Entergy’s claims of “safe and reliable operations” at the plant, citing its age and numerous operational issues in recent years.
In addition, Entergy has awarded a $70,000 grant to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy in order to help maintain a 27-acre Pilgrim Haven Natural Area in South Haven, just north of Van Buren State Park. The money would go towards developing woodlands, hiking trails and a beach along the Lake Michigan shore, and would trigger a matching grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to the South Haven Area Recreation Authority for the project, which began 13 months ago and were scheduled to be completed this past May.
