Power plant closing to affect Clinton

Michigan South Central Power Agency (MSCPA) has announced plans to close the Endicott Generating Station after 34 years of operation and servicing its five member communities, which includes the Village of Clinton. The scheduled decommissioning date has been set for June 1, 2016.“This is a 33-year-old plant with 1970s technology,” said Clinton Village Manager Kevin Cornish. “This small coal plant cannot operate cost effectively in today’s electricity industry.”Significant changes to the electric industry over the past several years have contributed to the decision to shut down Endicott, according to the MSCPA. Those changes include increased loads, formation of energy markets, global economy, and public expectation of environmentally friendly utilities.In the past, energy sources have been predominately supplied by fossil fuels with coal playing a major role. Today, renewable resources such as wind and solar receive more attention, and recent technology developments in the oil and gas industry now offer more consistent and economical options for communities, MSCPA said in a press release.The Village of Clinton currently receives most of its electricity from Endicott Power Plant. The shutdown of the plant requires the village to get its electricity from other locations.“We will line up other sources of power,” Cornish said. “The transition to another supplier will be seamless to our residents. There will be no difference to them from an operational standpoint. We will be able to provide electricity in a more cost effective manner.”The board and directors of MSCPA, through an extensive strategic planning process, performed staff analysis, enlisted independent consulting and engineering studies as aids to make the decision. These studies made it clear to the MSCPA it is no longer in its members’ best interest to continue to operate Endicott as a coal fired generation resource.Over the next few months the MSCPA will meet with each member community to fully explain the economic and replacement options. Supply options presented will include local generation, short and long term contracts, joint asset ownership and additional renewable resources.Cornish believes the village will not look into renewable energy supply for its electricity. “We’re nearly going to have 23 percent of our power from renewable sources,” he said.Currently the village gets hydroelectric power from the Upper Peninsula, natural gas-based electricity from Fremont, Ohio, hydroelectric power from plants on the Ohio River, and coal-based electricity from Litchfield.“Over time we may buy into and be part owner of a gas-fired power plant,” Cornish said of the possibilities for future electricity purchasing. “We may also buy power. We can do contracts with people to buy power. Right now Clinton is one of about 80 communities that own five hydroelectric dams on the Ohio River.”Although building and operating its own power plant is technically a possibility, according to Cornish the cost to build as well as the costs to staff such a facility make this option a poor choice. He anticipates the village will purchase a power agreement until it can buy into the ownership of a plant.“It will be just the same, the power will be coming from different places,” said Cornish. “We anticipate that we will offer power in a more cost effective manner.”The Endicott Generating Station has 74 full-time employees. It has been in operation since 1983, providing reliable, cost-effective electric service to its five-member communities, including Clinton, Coldwater, Hillsdale, Marshall, and Union City.Despite losing the Endicott as a supplier, the village is not leaving the MSCPA. “The MSCPA will continue to be in charge of providing our energy and transmission requirements,” Cornish said.