Dianda Wants More Electric Facilities in the U.P.

This week, Representative Scott Dianda introduced a resolution that encourages legislative support for the construction of new electricity generating facilities in the Upper Peninsula. Currently, U.P. residents are paying increasingly large sums to keep the Presque Isle Power Plant open and operating. With a capacity of more than 400 megawatts, the plant is the region’s largest energy supplier north of Green Bay. Dianda’s resolution recommends investment in natural gas, renewable energy and distributed generation, stating that natural gas, solar, wind and small, localized electric facilities are more reliable, and could be more cost-effective than the alternative option of building transmission lines across state borders. Dianda says the creation of new energy facilities in the U.P. will keep energy costs in check and spur economic growth in the region by creating a multitude of jobs.