Coal Trains in Michigan

[chapmaja]

With the talk of the South Bend and Flint Subs, as well as other discussions I was wondering something. Which power plants in the state still get coal by rail?

Does Belle River get coal from CSX, or is that only via ships? I thought one plant that way got coal, but with recent closures I don't know if CSX still runs any coal down the PH&D branch anymore.

Port Sheldon still gets coal for the next couple years. Does Monroe still get coal, or is that plant closed now? What about anything downriver? I think Trenton is closed now as are the River Rouge and Rouge plant coal power plants.

Recently closed are the Lansing plants and the plants the HESR / LSRC used to serve in Exxesville.

[AARR]

Only DTE Monroe (NS), CE Port Sheldon (CSX) and LBWL in Lansing (CN) still receive coal although all three are slated for closing or conversion soon if they haven't already.

[David Collins]

…and LBWL in Lansing (CN) still receive coal although all three are slated for closing or conversion soon if they haven't already.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but if I remember correctly, LBWL no longer gets coal trains. They shipped the last train out sometime last year I think unless I’m thinking of another power plant.

[Manistique]

Saint Clair was receiving coal by ship all summer long. Unless they are closing this winter (which, by the way, I thought they were supposed to be closed by now) I imagine they will be getting coal by CSX rail.

[Andy24]

I am pretty sure the coal plant in West Olive, Mi is slated to be decommissioned by 2025 per news report that was released a few months ago

[AARR]

Saint Clair was receiving coal by ship all summer long. Unless they are closing this winter (which, by the way, I thought they were supposed to be closed by now) I imagine they will be getting coal by CSX rail.

What routing is the coal taking? There is another board that reported when the coal was scheduled to arrive and I thought they said they received theri last shipment a while back.

[GTW6401]

St. Clair closed in 2022 as DTE opened the Blue Water Energy Center.

They were burning a normal blend of 85% western coal and 15% eastern coal.

CSX brought in the eastern coal, but they used very little of it at the end.

Belle River has been using a combination of western coal and natural gas. It's going to natural gas by 2026.

Midwest Energy has coal deliveries scheduled out for Belle River and Monroe this month and in December.

The crew of the MV Paul R. Tregurtha have a good amount of work to go before the winter layup.

[Steve B]

Only DTE Monroe (NS), CE Port Sheldon (CSX) and LBWL in Lansing (CN) still receive coal although all three are slated for closing or conversion soon if they haven't already.

Erickson, the Lansing area's last coal power plant, shut down on 11/27/22. Consumers' J.H. Campbell Plant will close in 2025. DTE's Monroe Plant will retire units 3 & 4 by 2028, and units 1 & 2 by 2032.

[Chip]

Yes, Trenton no longer receives coal, the last train to show up there was earlier this year. I think Late April or early May.

[SD80MAC]

Consumer’s has since back-pedaled a bit on that 2025 date, FWIW.

[Steve B]

Consumer’s has since back-pedaled a bit on that 2025 date, FWIW.

Source?

[CSXT8390]

Consumer’s has since back-pedaled a bit on that 2025 date, FWIW.

I’ll second this. Every time I’m out at the JHC plant, if I talk to a fuel handler or one of their dumper crews, they just laugh when you mention 2025.

Consumers would have to generate X power in order for the state to allow them to shut the plant down, and they don’t have the infrastructure to do so yet, and likely won’t before 2025. The only viable way they’ll have the energy is if Palisades comes online ahead of their refuel schedule and either Consumers buys power directly from the new operator or they come to a contracted agreement with Wolverine Power to tie in to their system and chug power from them.

[kd_1014]

Consumer’s has since back-pedaled a bit on that 2025 date, FWIW.

Source?

Trust me bro

[chapmaja]

Don't forget, there is an ongoing court battle between Consumers and Wolverine Power Cooperative over the shutdown of the plant. The outcome of the court case may play a factor in when the plant actually ceases to operate.