ISHPEMING – Cliffs Natural Resources is considering a combined heat and power cogeneration facility that would power the iron ore mines in the Upper Peninsula.

Cliffs is talking with Invenergy Thermal Development LLC about the possibility. They jointly executed a Letter of Intent to explore options that would serve Cliffs Michigan operations. They hope to reach a decision in 120 days.

As part of the decision, Cliffs will determine the capacity and location of a possible facility and what the impact might be on the overall state of electric power in the U.P.

Cliffs announced last year that it would no longer purchase power from the Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette. At the time, about 80 percent of the power produced at Presque Isle was used by the mines.

As part of decision, they plan to determine the capacity and location of a potential facility and what impact it may have on the overall state of electric power in the Upper Peninsula.

Cliffs says it remains committed to work with Gov. Rick Snyder’s office and local stakeholders to examine all potential solution to the U.P.’s electric power challenges.