Consumers Energy now operating natural gas plant in Covert Township

COVERT TWP. — Consumers Energy announced Thursday, June 1, it's now operating the Covert Generating Station, adding more natural gas energy production to its portfolio. 

Consumers recently purchased the 1,200-megawatt plant, which began operating in 2004 and can produce enough energy to power over a million Michigan homes.

“Consumers Energy is doing its part to ensure a cost-effective, reliable energy generation supply to our customers and all of Michigan by welcoming the latest power plant into our generation fleet,” Tim Sparks, vice president of electric supply, wrote in a statement. “Covert will supply reliable electricity to meet Michigan’s needs 24/7 and support clean energy sources like wind and solar that we will continue to add.”

The plant has 29 employees, expected to become Consumers Energy employees through the transition.

Consumers Energy recently released its energy forecast for the summer. Covert joins two other natural gas plants in Zeeland and Jackson as part of the company’s plan to meet energy demand. It will also use coal, hydroelectric, pumped storage, wind and solar sources.

The purchase and operation of the natural gas plant is also part of Consumers Energy’s effort to close all coal-burning plants, including the J.H. Campbell Generating Plant in Port Sheldon Township, by 2025. 

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The Covert Generating Station is located just minutes from Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, where Holtec is seeking to restart operations.

Palisades closed in May 2022 and was slated for decommissioning through new owner Holtec Decommissioning International. Just months later, the company announced an application for funding to restart the plant.

More:Palisades owner officially submits second try at funds to reopen shuttered plant

More:Legislators form caucus, send letter supporting reopening Palisades

That initial application was denied, but a second effort is underway through the U.S. Department of Energy. Holtec’s efforts have received support from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, leaders in Allegan County and, most recently, a bipartisan, bicameral group of Michigan legislators. 

No timeline has been given by the DoE for a decision on the loan, but Holtec has stated it hopes to be able to make a decision on whether or not to move forward sometime this summer.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.