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State Representative Scott Dianda is calling on the Michigan Public Service Commission to create an Upper Peninsula-wide energy plan.
In a statement, Dianda notes that last winter, U.P. energy customers faced a propane shortage. This year, electricity costs were expected to rise for all customers when the Presque Isle Power Plant faced losing its two biggest customers – two U.P. mines. That power plant is scheduled to be closed in 2020, so he says there is an opportunity now to replace at least a portion of the plant’s capacity with renewable energy resources such as woody biomass, geothermal, wind and solar energy.
His proposal says the MPSC must create a publicly funded integrated plan for the entire U.P. that identifies the pros and cons of all available energy resources, and better informs everyone of the available energy options.
Dianda says this plan could also help customers conserve energy to ensure their long-term needs are met.
