Upper Michigan Energy Resources Files Application To Build New Utility Generation
January 31,2017
Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp. (UMERC) filed a certificate of necessity application with the Michigan Public Service Commission to build two natural gas generating stations in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan.
If approved, UMERC will construct, own and operate a generating station in Baraga County and another in Marquette County, totaling approximately 183 megawatts.
Construction of the generating stations is expected to begin in late 2017 or early 2018, with an anticipated operation date in 2019. Pending approval from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), this would allow for the retirement of the coal-fueled Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette, Michigan, no later than 2020.
UMERC said that it will fund the estimated $277 million total project investment.
Upper Michigan Energy Resources (UMERC), with offices in Menominee and Iron Mountain, serves nearly 36,500 electric and 5,300 natural gas customers in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. UMERC is an energy company subsidiary of WEC Energy Group.