 Tippy Dam on the Manistee River (photo by Consumers Energy) |
a news release of Michigan.gov and other sources
Consumers Energy has a new opponent in its bid to sell 13 hydropower dams, several of which are located in west Michigan.
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission, which regulates fish and game, may soon craft a resolution opposing Consumers’ plan to essentially give the dams away to a private equity firm, Confluence Hydro. Like many others, commissioners are concerned the sale contract under consideration now by the Michigan Public Service Commission doesn’t offer enough guarantees that Confluence will care for the dams. One possible negative outcome is that selling the dams could leave the Michigan DNR to take over responsibility if they fall into disrepair.
Confluence has promised it would maintain the dams. Consumers, for its part, says it would rather tear all the dams down than agree to new terms for the sale.
Lawmakers, meanwhile, have introduced bills to toughen Michigan’s dam safety standards, currently among the weakest in the nation.
The dams under discussion are:
• Au Sable River: Mio, Alcona, Loud, Foote, Cooke, and Five Channels dams.
•Manistee River: Hodenpyl and Tippy dams.
•Muskegon River: Rogers, Hardy, and Croton dams.
•Grand River: Webber Dam.
•Kalamazoo River: Calkins Bridge Dam.
Many of these dams have become the centerpieces of recreational facilities such as the North Country Trail along Hodenpyl Dam Pond and the Dragon Trail encircling Hardy Dam Pond.
See more about the Natural Resource Commission comments
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