MARQUETTE, MI-- A new electric utility has applied to construct two generating stations in the U.P.
Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation filed a certificate of necessity application Monday with the Michigan Public Service Commission. If approved, UMERC will construct, own, and operate a generating station in Baraga County and another in Marquette County, totaling about 183 megawatts. The proposed facilities would use reciprocating internal combustion engines that run on natural gas.
The project is expected to cost about $277 million—to be funded by UMERC. Construction of the stations is expected to begin late this year or early in 2018, with an anticipated operation date in 2019. Pending approval from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, that would allow for the retirement of the coal-fueled Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette no later than 2020.
