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League of Women Voters and residents warn commissioners about continued operation of Campbell energy plant
Summary
Multiple residents urged the board to reconsider support for a delay in closing the J.H. Campbell coal plant, citing large projected costs of keeping the plant open and health impacts from pollutants affecting Ottawa County and the Grand Rapids region.
Several residents urged the county to reassess action supporting a delay in the closure of the J.H. Campbell power plant. Marcia Klempe (speaker 18), representing the League of Women Voters of the Grand Haven area, said continuing to operate the plant "releases toxic substances, including mercury, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides" and cited an estimate she presented that closing the plant last year would have saved families and businesses "$600,000,000 by 2040." She asked whether the board believed the delay in closure benefits Ottawa County residents.
Another commenter echoed concerns that the plant is 1 of Michigan's largest greenhouse gas emitters and that keeping it open imposes health and financial costs on local communities. Commissioners did not take formal action on the matter at this meeting but acknowledged the public comment and indicated a desire for additional information and dialogue with regional stakeholders.
