I bet you remember your child’s first step. Or your first home. Maybe your first kiss? I love firsts. I still remember my first day at Cherryland back in 2013 and the first project I worked on—the launch of the community solar project that sits in front of our office. If you talk to our oldest Cherryland members, many of them still remember the first time the lights came on at their family farm as we first brought electricity to rural northern Michigan.
From Michigan’s first community solar project to the first commercial-scale wind farm in the state, Michigan’s electric cooperatives have a long history of providing industry-leading solutions for rural communities. Those firsts add up and, today, Cherryland powers our members with about 20% renewable energy and over 60% carbon-free energy. We’ve done this while maintaining our industry-leading electric reliability and keeping our rates 10-15% lower than neighboring utilities serving in rural areas. For decades, Cherryland has shown that we can deliver on our commitment to reliable, affordable power supply solutions while modernizing our portfolio to mitigate environmental impact.
I am incredibly proud of our past leadership and excited to announce another big first for the cooperative. With our recent commitment to the restart of the Palisades Power Plant in southwest Michigan and our continued development of utility-scale renewable projects, we will deliver 100% carbon-free energy to our members by 2030. This represents a significant milestone for our cooperative and for the rural communities we serve.
With this announcement, we are on track to meet and exceed Michigan’s new clean energy standards and to do so faster and more reliably than anyone else. This is due, in large part, to our partnership with Wolverine Power Cooperative. Their bold, strategic vision for rural Michigan power supply and their doggedness in building a resilient, industry-leading power supply portfolio have set us up for success in a very challenging time.
The conversations regarding power supply today tend to be very divisive and highly partisan. You will frequently find me lamenting heavy-handed regulatory and legislative pressures in our industry that make it hard to keep the lights on and keep bills affordable. While those challenges persist, I continue to be very optimistic about the future of your electric cooperative.
We’ve made it nearly 90 years by staying true to our cooperative value system, and it has paid off in big ways for our members. Our path to 100% carbon-free energy by 2030 is more than just a first—it is a legacy of innovation and tenacity, driven by our unique cooperative business model. Built by the community, for the community, and led by the community. Our cooperatives ensure that every voice is heard and every decision benefits us all.
Our concern for the state’s carbon footprint and focus on maintaining a dependable, affordable power supply demonstrates that Michigan’s electric cooperatives not only light the way—they lead it.
Why is it carbon free that is touted as reopening Nuclear is the real news. If we are going to power AI and electrification of transportation, we will need nuclear to play a much bigger part of the energy supply.
I find solar and wind mills to be getting free passes as to the visual impairment along with other downsides of which several off shore wind power projects have been canceled because of cost and bigger environmental challenges are being created.
Hi Terry – you are correct, nuclear is absolutely vital if we want electric reliability, the ability to serve more electric load for data centers, etc. and decarbonization. Cherryland is able to reach this milestone, largely due to the reopening of Palisades and our commitment to purchase the power from the plant. One of the things we are very excited about is the plant owner’s future plans to add small modular nuclear reactors at the Palisades site. This would give us the option to increase the nuclear energy in Michigan while supporting the development of advanced nuclear technology.
ZERO CARBON = Zero Humans. You libtards are too stupid to realize this. Communism – Socialism – Zero Carbon. You people are psychopathic “Jim Jones” Cult followers. Rachel, please resign because your just another politician lining her pockets at the expense of “us” – the law abiding citizens paying Cherryland Scamlectric bloated electric bills. You people could care less about anything except your own self serving interests. YOU’RE FIRED – ALL OF YOU!
Rod – As I mention in my column and in the accompanying video, this is a highly politicized topic. As your electric cooperative, we’re working very hard to find solutions that help us maintain electric reliability, manage cost volatility, meet environmental mandates, and satisfy our members’ expectations. We don’t make all the rules but we have a responsibility to play by them.
I can tell this is an issue you are passionate about. I would encourage you to share your concerns with your elected officials (please note, I am not one of them). We need more voices advocating for the needs of electric consumers.
Would you please explain your equation that zero carbon=zero humans? Thanks.
Plants require and thrive on carbon dioxide, and release oxygen. People inhale oxygen, and release carbon dioxide. We are created to benefit plants & plants to benefit us. Carbon dioxide is not dangerous, any more than oxygen is.
Rod:
As mentioned you are clearly passionate, but does it really require bad mouthing and bullying? That approach is self serving for you.