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Port Sheldon Township
Official Statement – Clearing Up Confusion
Regarding: January 8^th, Master Plan – Consumers Sub-Area Public Engagement meeting

We want to clear up any confusion related to the recent Master Plan Public Engagement meeting for the Consumers Energy Sub-area
For those in attendance at the meeting, there was a lengthy presentation that explained the purpose of the evening was essentially a visioning exercise to provide an opportunity for residents to give feedback on three (3) different types of growth scenarios for 20-40 years out, including minimal, moderate and maximum development, for the Consumers sub-area ONLY.

Summary (TL;DR version):
These visioning scenarios are NOT proposals to be acted upon, but another step in the Master Plan public engagement process, gathering public feedback on what might be preferable for future development on the Consumers Energy parcels ONLY, and that is, IF those parcels become available for redevelopment in the distant future.
The Township Master Plan is NOT making any sweeping changes that would disrupt the rural character of the township.  To the contrary, the Master plan seeks to preserve the large lot residential, agricultural heritage, and recreational opportunities we all enjoy.

Expanded explanation of the Master Plan Process:

• The Master plan is a publicly informed document which relies heavily on public input. (surveys, open house, visioning exercises, stakeholder roundtables, etc.)
• The Master Plan is a tool used for guiding future land use decisions presented for consideration to the planning commission. (special land uses, zoning requests, etc.)
• The Master plan process has been underway for over a year, and is NOT a reaction to the closure of the plant, nor any urgency to recoup any potential loss in tax revenue.
• The Master plan process is required by state statute to be reviewed every 5 years, and this cycle happens to intersect with the announced closure of the power plant. This overlap warranted a longer-range look at the Consumers parcels, in the event any of these properties become available for different uses.
• At the present time, Consumers has not indicated that they are selling, or disposing of any land, in fact they have just released a press notice that they are re-investing in their property with the installation of a fly ash reclamation operation, and potential battery storage, this would be in the areas that are already zoned and used for industrial activities.
• The portion of Consumer’s Tax Revenue does not go to “zero” when the plant closes.
• Tax deficit projected for the township (IF it went to zero, which it is not) is approximately $54,000 dollars, which can be easily managed via our balanced budget, surplus, and projected normal growth in residential revenue.
• Once the consultant gathers the public input, and a Master Plan draft is delivered to the Planning Commission, there is still a 63-day comment period, before anything would move toward adoption.
• Nothing has changed in regard to current zoning lot sizes in the Township dating back to 1957.
• While a large portion of the township are zoned Agricultural (AG-1) with a 2 Acre parcel size, there are areas situated throughout the township that have been platted as R-1 dating back to the 1900’s (with a .46 acre min. lot size, or smaller)
• The zoning districts map can be found here > Zoning Map
• Any future development with higher densities would require the existence of public utilities (water & sewer), so most, if not all of the visioning scenarios would require extensive infrastructure upgrades to be realized.

If you have questions, please reach out to the township officials and staff.

Join us for a blood drive in the Township Hall on Wednesday, January 29 from 2-7pm! Sign up at this link: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11599409 or call the office to schedule!

Ashcor and Consumers Energy Announce Coal Ash Remediation at J.H. Campbell Power Plant

First-of-its-kind environmental project for Michigan will turn stored ash into cement substitute

Calgary, Alberta, and West Olive, Michigan – Ashcor USA Inc., a subsidiary of Ashcor Technologies Ltd. and a division of ATCO Ltd. (TSX: ACO.X) (TSX: ACO.Y), and Michigan-based Consumers Energy are excited to announce an agreement to extract and repurpose millions of tons of impounded coal ash from the soon to be retired J.H. Campbell Generating Complex.

“We’re doing the right thing as we make a just transition away from coal as a fuel source for electricity and that includes fulfilling our environmental responsibilities at the Campbell Generating Complex,” said Norm Kapala, vice president of generation operations for Consumers Energy. “While our focus today is on meeting power needs in a more environmentally sustainable way, we are also committed to removing 60 years of ash deposits that will be beneficially repurposed.”

Ashcor’s patented Reclaimed Ash Management (RAM™) technology will transform stored coal ash at the power facility into a high-grade cement replacement material for use in concrete manufacturing. Since global cement manufacturing is responsible for about 8 percent of the world’s total CO2 emissions, the repurposing of coal ash has environmental benefits.

“We’re very pleased that we will be able to reclaim ash from the Campbell Generating Complex, transforming it into a high-quality supplementary cement replacement material,” said John Tiberi, President, Ashcor. “Ultimately, this manufactured ash can substitute up to 30 percent of traditional, carbon-intensive portland cement, making it a more sustainable solution for countless construction projects and concrete applications. This will be our third RAM facility, and we are eager to incorporate our operational expertise into a state-of-the-art design, tailored to J.H. Campbell’s site and the market demands of the Great Lakes area.”

Capable of generating nearly 1,500 megawatts of electricity, the Campbell complex ― located on a 2,000-acre site in Port Sheldon Township near Holland, Mich. ― began serving  Consumers Energy customers in the 1960s. Retiring the complex’s three units in May 2025 is part of the company’s Clean Energy Plan to meet Michigan’s energy needs in the coming decades.

Once Ashcor completes construction of the RAM™ facility, removal and processing of the ash will begin. Operations are planned to begin on or before Jan. 1, 2027, and the operational life of the project is expected to be about two decades. The RAM™ technology is capable of processing harvested comingled bottom ash and fly ash and transforming it into a product that meets technical specifications. There is a significant level of interest in the project, and both companies are keen to provide a high-quality product for customers.

This project represents Ashcor’s first foray into coal ash harvesting and beneficiation in the United States. The inaugural U.S. venture underscores the company’s ambitious growth strategy and commitment to expanding its presence in this key market. By leveraging its proven expertise and innovative technologies, Ashcor is setting the stage to deliver high-quality, sustainable solutions to a broader audience of utility companies and meet the growing demand for reclaimed, high-performance materials across the construction and industrial sectors. Ashcor aims to build a strong presence in the U.S., replicating its success in Canada while tailoring its approach to meet the unique needs and priorities of its American partners.

About Consumers Energy

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy’s Clean Energy Plan calls for eliminating coal as an energy source in 2025, achieving net-zero carbon emissions and meeting 90% of customers’ energy needs through clean sources, including wind and solar.

About ATCO

As a global enterprise ATCO Ltd. and its subsidiary and affiliate companies have approximately 20,000 employees and assets of $26 billion. ATCO is committed to future prosperity by working to meet the world’s essential energy, housing, security and transportation challenges. ATCO Structures designs, builds and delivers products to service the essential need for housing and shelter around the globe. ATCO Frontec provides operational support services to government, defence and commercial clients. ATCO Energy Systems delivers essential energy for an evolving world through its electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution, and international operations. ATCO EnPower creates sustainable energy solutions in the areas of renewables, energy storage, industrial water and alternative fuels. ATCO Australia develops, builds, owns and operates energy and infrastructure assets. ATCOenergy and Rümi provide retail electricity and natural gas services, home maintenance services and professional home advice that bring exceptional comfort, peace of mind and freedom to homeowners and customers. ATCO also has investments in ports and transportation logistics, the processing and marketing of fly ash, retail food services and commercial real estate. More information can be found at www.ATCO.com.

Consumers Energy Media Inquiries:
Brian Wheeler
Media Relations Specialist, Consumers Energy
brian.wheeler@cmsenergy.com
517-740-1545

ATCO Investor & Analyst Inquiries:
Colin Jackson
Senior Vice President, Financial Operations
Colin.Jackson@atco.com
(403) 808 2636

ATCO Media Inquiries:
Kurt Kadatz
Director, Corporate Communications
media@atco.com
(587) 228 4571

Join us on Wednesday, January 8, 2025  from 5:30pm to 7pm at the Port Sheldon Township Hall for an open house session on the Consumers Energy Subarea Draft Plan! (rescheduled from December 12.)

At the open house, the community will be able to:

• Learn more about the draft concepts in the exploratory scenarios, evaluation findings, and the draft Future Land Use plan.
• Provide feedback on the draft Subarea plan and Future Land Use plan.

There will be a brief presentation and Q&A starting at 5:30pm. Light refreshments will be served! Please RSVP at this link.

Port Sheldon Township is requesting proposals for professional services to replace the flooring in the Township Office.
The Township office serves as an in-person location for residents to interact with local officials, secure building and zoning permits, pay taxes, and conduct other township related business. Upgrades to the current flooring are a high priority at this time in order to keep up with the demand for use and upkeep of this facility.

And

Port Sheldon Township is requesting proposals for professional services to replace the flooring in the Township Hall.
The Township hall has served hundreds of residents and their guests for parties, family gatherings, and meetings for many years. Upgrades to the current flooring are a high priority at this time in order to keep up with the demand for use and upkeep of this facility.

Proposals due Thursday, December 18, 2024 by noon. *Due Date extended until January 6, 2025.*

Click the links below to view full RFP:

Township Hall   Township Office

Port Sheldon Township is requesting proposals for professional services to provide erosion control solutions at the Kouw Park beach/dune.
This beachfront dune at Kouw Park, 5591 Lakeshore Avenue, West Olive, MI 49460, has experienced erosion from a recent high wind/wave event. The beach access stairs are currently shored up and closed to public access.

Proposals due Thursday, December 18,2024 by noon. *Due Date extended to January 6, 2025* Sealed bids will be opened then. 

Click the link below to view full proposal:

Kouw Park