MARQUETTE, MI— The Michigan Public Service Commission is holding a public hearing in Marquette Tuesday regarding a study of energy issues in the Upper Peninsula.
MPSC Chair Dan Scripps says in many ways, the region is further along in the energy transition than the rest of Michigan. When the Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette closed, the Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation employed reciprocating internal combustion engines. That aims to help in the transition away from coal-fired energy.
Scripps notes the majority of power generated in the U.P. also goes to different sectors than the rest of the state.
“The U.P. is unique in that the mining sector is a tremendously significant amount of the actual usage of energy, much more so than the industrial sector, even in the Detroit area or other parts of lower Michigan.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature directed the MPSC to study unique conditions and challenges for electric generation in the U.P., a one-time proceeding as part of the 2023 energy laws.
The study, required under Public Act 235 of 2023, is examining the role of UMERC’s RICE units, options for reducing the carbon intensity of the RICE units, known changes in electricity demand including from mining projects, and other relevant issues.
The MPSC is gathering public input on critical energy issues at the hearing, which takes place Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Northern Center Ballroom II. Scripps says comments will be used to craft energy policy moving forward.
