Consumers Energy seeks public input on dam study

The Bay City Times has an update on a story I originally mentioned back on July 29, 2004 regarding Consumers Energy's study to remove the dams along the AuSable:

Consumers Energy Co. is studying how much it will cost to tear down 11 hydroelectric dams on the Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon rivers. But the power company has no plans to remove any of its dams, which are federally licensed to operate until the year 2034, according to William A. Schoenlein, director of hydro generation for Consumers Energy.

Consumers is preparing a dam-retirement study only as a requirement of the operating licenses. On the Au Sable River, the company will determine the cost of three options: Removing the six power dams, partially removing them, or leaving them in place but not using them to generate electricity. Schoenlein said Consumers is accepting public comments through Dec. 3 on the retirement options. The comments will be included in the study plan.

Copies of the draft study plan for the Au Sable River dams are available at the Robert Parks Library in Oscoda; the Alcona County Library in Harrisville and the Oscoda County Library in Mio.

Comments can be e-mailed to hydro@cmsenergy.com or mailed to Consumers Energy Hydro Generation Department, 330 Chestnut St., Cadillac, 49601, attention Retirement Study Plan.