Consumers Energy to offer tours of last coal-fired plant before closure

Consumers Energy is inviting the public to tour its J.H. Campbell Complex in West Michigan next month, as it prepares to close its last coal-fired facility in less than a year.

Consumers Energy is closing all three units of the Ottawa County complex, the last in its portfolio. After it closes on June 1, 2025, Consumers Energy will be one of the first U.S. utility providers to entirely eliminate coal burning.

“We’re excited to give our friends and neighbors the opportunity to look inside Campbell as we make this major energy transition,” Norm Kapala, Consumers Energy’s vice president of generation operations, said. “Our Campbell complex and the people who work here have served our state faithfully with reliable energy for generations. We want to provide an opportunity to understand and appreciate that legacy.”

Consumers Energy is offering tours of the Campbell complex on Sept. 21. The free tours will last about an hour. Those interested in the tours must sign up in advance, with seats on the tour available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Campbell complex is made up of three units that were built in 1962, 1967 and 1980. They are the last of 12 coal-fired units that the company had.

When it closes, employees at the Campbell complex employees will be offered other job opportunities with the company.

The site will be redeveloped following its demolition in 2026 or later.

“We will be busy the next nine months as we continue to operate Campbell right up until it closes. We’re committed to a useful future for this property, but not before we take the time to reflect on the complex’s important work serving Michigan,” Kapala said.

Consumers Energy provides energy to 6.8 million Michigan residents. Consumers Energy’s Clean Energy Plan calls for eliminating coal as an energy source by 2025, achieving net-zero carbon emissions, and meeting 90 percent of customers’ energy needs through clean sources.

The post Consumers Energy to offer tours of last coal-fired plant before closure appeared first on Daily Energy Insider .