For the Gazette

With the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) executing a 90-day notice cancelling the System Support Resource (SSR) services of White Pine Electric Power, LLC, the Ontonagon Village Council took an ‘official’ position at this week’s Council meeting.

The council unanimously voted to send a letter to Gov. Rick Snyder opposing the elimination of SSR Payments to White Pine Power. While this would stop White Pine Power from receiving Upper Peninsula electric rate payers’ approximately $7 million through June of 2018, this didn’t sit well with council member, Mike Mogan.

Mogen blamed the move to eliminate the SSR Payment to White Pine Power on the deregulation of Electric Utility Companies. Mogen talked about how citizens were told natural gas is dangerous, and then burning coal is dangerous.

“Now we’re back to using natural gas. Pretty soon we’ll be back to burning coal. This is a bad, bad deal all the way around,” said Mogen.

Zachary Halkola of White Pine Power told the crowded room that it is important that everyone contact their elected officials and ask them to keep the SSR payments going.

“This is an insurance policy. It is like a person driving from Ontonagon to Marquette without a spare tire,” said Halkola.

JR Richardson talked about how important it has been for Upper Peninsula residents to get power from the Upper Peninsula.

Halkola talked about the importance of having the capability for White Pine Power to provide power during power outages. According to Halkola the U.P. would go without backup power till 2022.

“The western U.P. is being ignored. The plan submitted to provide back-up power has significant shortfalls,” Halkola stated.

It was in July that the Michigan Agency for Energy supported the American Transmission Company (ATC) proposal to reconfigure its electric transmission system. The modification would temporarily return ATC’s system to the way it was configured and operated prior to 1998. The changes would eliminate the need to run White Pine as a SSR unit.

Mogan said the transmission costs, along with power generation from outside of the Upper Peninsula are going to increase U.P. resident electric bills.

“Who owns the Transmission lines? For the Western end to get power from Sault Saint Marie, we’re going to be paying more,” said Mogen.

This prompted Ontonagon Village President Ken Waldrop to ask whether the decision makers understand how Upper Peninsula weather plays an important role in UP residents having ‘backup’ power.

The White Pine Power SSR payment will be eliminated by this coming December.