The Lansing Board of Water and Light has broken ground on a new $500 million power plant in Delta Township.
The Delta Energy Park along South Canal Street will be the largest project the city-owned utility has ever undertaken. When completed, the natural gas-powered plant will replace both the Eckert and Erickson coal fired plants.
The BWL is trying to reduce its carbon emissions, and it has invested heavily in wind and solar power.
General manager Dick Peffley says the Delta Energy Park will be an important backup for its growing renewable power systems.
“Battery technology is advancing,” says Peffley. “Its not quite there yet but it will be. So, the gas plant is a natural bridge between coal and 100 percent renewables for us.”
The BWL says the new plant will create 1,200 construction jobs.
It’s expected to be operational by June 2021.