A Community's Diamond in the Rough: Consumers Energy Gives Coal-Carrying Locomotive to West Michigan Nonprofit

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy has donated a historic locomotive, previously used to supply coal to the J.H. Campbell coal plant, to the Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway in West Olive, Michigan. This donation follows the company's commitment to transition to a coal-free operation by 2025, aiming for cleaner energy solutions. The locomotive, a Center Cab 125 Ton Switcher, was manufactured in 1979 and had the capacity to pull approximately 33 coal cars. Consumers Energy serves 6.7 million residents across Michigan and plans to incorporate nearly 8,000 MW of solar energy by 2040.

Positive

• Donation of a historic locomotive supports community nonprofit.
• Commitment to transition to coal-free energy by 2025 enhances corporate responsibility.
• Plans to add nearly 8,000 MW of solar power by 2040 reflect forward-thinking approach.

Negative

• None.

Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway celebrate the donation of a locomotive from the J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Olive

WEST OLIVE, Mich., Feb. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy has donated a locomotive that once supported the energy provider's J.H. Campbell coal plant to the Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway, a nonprofit that preserves and operates historic passenger and freight trains in west Michigan.

Consumers Energy revealed the new decal and provided an up-close look at the locomotive before officially transferring it to the Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway on Monday, Feb. 13

"This locomotive served Consumers Energy and our customers well for decades, helping to supply coal to the J.H. Campbell coal plant," said Norm Kapala, Consumers Energy's vice president of generation operations. "As Consumers Energy leads Michigan toward a cleaner energy future and we commit to going coal free in 2025, this locomotive will now serve the west Michigan community in a different way. We are proud to support one of our community's wonderful local nonprofits with this donation."

"The Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway is grateful for this donation from Consumers Energy and will allow us to continue helping west Michigan enjoy our vintage trains," said Jeff Dupilka, president of the Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway board. "We encourage folks to come experience the joy of traveling to the past and learning more about how folks got around west Michigan before the automobile."

The locomotive -- a Center Cab 125 Ton Switcher -- was originally manufactured in 1979 by General Electric. It weighs 250,000 pounds and could pull about 33 coal cars -- roughly 8.7 million pounds of coal -- to help the plant generate electricity for Consumers Energy customers.

The J.H. Campbell complex began operating in 1962. After its historic Clean Energy Plan was approved last summer, Consumers Energy plans to close all three generating units at the complex in 2025 in addition to two units at the D.E. Karn coal plant near Bay City this year. Consumers Energy will be among the first energy providers in the U.S. to go coal-free, making the transition to clean, renewable sources by adding nearly 8,000 MW of solar power by 2040.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-communitys-diamond-in-the-rough-consumers-energy-gives-coal-carrying-locomotive-to-west-michigan-nonprofit-301749292.html

SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What is the recent donation made by Consumers Energy?

Consumers Energy donated a historic locomotive to the Friends of Coopersville and Marne Railway on February 13, 2023.

What is Consumers Energy's plan for coal usage?

Consumers Energy plans to be coal-free by 2025 as part of their cleaner energy transition.

How much solar power does Consumers Energy plan to add?

Consumers Energy plans to add nearly 8,000 MW of solar power by 2040.

Where is the locomotive donation taking place?

The donation is taking place in West Olive, Michigan.

What are the operational capabilities of the donated locomotive?

The donated Center Cab 125 Ton Switcher locomotive weighs 250,000 pounds and can pull approximately 33 coal cars.