MARQUETTE, MI-- A power station that generates electricity for the Marquette area has burned its last pieces of coal.
The Shiras Steam Plant in South Marquette was turned off last Friday. The Marquette Board of Light and Power instead is relying on the new Marquette Energy Center, which uses natural gas for fuel. The city-owned utility also will buy electricity from other sources.
Workers will be placed at other Light and Power properties. The Shiras plant was considered one of the cleanest coal-fired plants in the country, based on emissions. Its future use hasn't been determined.
The Marquette Board of Light and Power serves nearly 17,000 customers.