LANSING – The Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE) today said it supports a plan by American Transmission Company (ATC) that would eliminate the SSR or system support resource payment for the White Pine electric generator in the Upper Peninsula. These SSR payments to White Pine are projected to cost U.P. ratepayers approximately $7.3 million each year. ATC’s proposal would allow similar reliability to be provided without running the White Pine plant. White Pine is a natural gas plant that is over 60 years old. U.P. ratepayers have been paying SSR payments to keep White Pine Unit 1 operating since 2014.
Continue
Wisconsin Energy overcharged Presque Isle Power Plant customers
LANSING – The administrative law judge presiding over the case at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that is examining costs to keep the Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette running today issued a proposal for decision that agrees with Michigan that the owner of Presque Isle – Wisconsin Energy Corporation – massively overcharged customers for the cost of operating the plant. In his decision, the judge is recommending that ratepayers receive at least $17 million, plus interest, in refunds. “We are pleased that the administrative law judge in this case is recommending what would be a substantial win for
Continue
Forest Service, DNR launch ‘Good Neighbor Authority’ timber projects
GLADSTONE – The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that the two agencies are completing another step toward implementation of the Good Neighbor Authority in the state. The parties are signing two Supplemental Project Agreements (SPAs) for timber sale work on the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests in the U.P. The Good Neighbor Authority offers the opportunity to work across jurisdictional boundaries to sustainably manage forest lands by allowing state resources to accomplish work planned on national forest system lands. The projects will maintain and create healthy forest conditions as called for in
Continue