Renner Barsella, 217-390-9394, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
Grand Haven -- This week the 37-year-old Sims coal fired power plant in Grand Haven will be shut down permanently in accordance with plans made one year ago by the Grand Haven Board of Light & Power after sustained advocacy by Sierra Club, its local volunteers along with many community members
In response, Jan O’Connell, Energy Issues Organizer & Development Director for Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter, released the following statement:
"This retirement is yet another indication that Michigan is ready to move beyond coal. Grand Haven Board of Light & Power and City Council made the right decision by closing this plant. One less coal plant in Michigan means cleaner air, cleaner water, and progress towards reducing climate-disrupting emissions.”
“But make no mistake: replacing coal with another fossil fuel gas plant is an economic and environmental mistake that harms the future of this lakeshore community. At this time it would make more sense for the GHBLP to buy their energy off the grid that is becoming greener and greener and to continue buying affordable clean energy options including utilizing energy efficiency measures available to limit and meet the city's energy needs. For the health of our community and natural resources, Grand Haven should be looking at options to remediate this polluted riverfront site, instead of placing another fossil fueled barrier in Grand Haven’s beautiful Harbor. The last thing we need is for Grand Haven Board of Light and Power and it’s customers to be stuck paying for another expensive and polluting fossil fuel investment.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.