Mich. utility to phase out electricity production by coal by 2040

A Michigan utility company is vowing to stop burning coal by 2040.

Consumers Energy told The Associated Press it will phase out electricity production from coal over the next 20 years in an effort to cut emissions that cause global warming. 

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The company plans to generate 40 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2040, Consumers Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe told the AP.

The company will still use natural gas and hydropower. 

“We believe that climate change is real and we can do our part by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, and we also believe it doesn’t have to cost more to do it,” Poppe told the AP.

“We believe we’re going to be on the right side of history on this issue.”

Many energy providers have moved away from coal as President Trump has tried to boost fossil fuels and roll back Obama-era policies that promoted clean energy.

Consumers Energy closed seven of its 12 coal-fired plants in 2016.

Its long-term strategy will reduce the company’s carbon emissions by 80 percent, Poppe told the AP.