HOLLAND – An energy era ended April 13 in Holland when 76-year-old James De Young Power Plant stopped burning coal and converted to natural gas.
Leftover coal still at JDY will be sold to other organizations as part of the preparation for removal of the coal yard and ash ponds in 2017.
“JDY is a piece of history in our community that represents Holland’s ability to make forward-thinking and innovative decisions,” said Dave Koster, general manager, Holland Board of Public Works (HBPW). “JDY has served the community very reliably since 1940, when it was constructed.”
Holland BPW is more than halfway through the construction of the Holland Energy Park, it’s new, state-of-the art gas-fired power plant.
“There will still be two generating units able to generate with natural gas,” said Koster. “The plant will continue to be staffed even as employees begin to transition to the Holland Energy Park (HEP) throughout the summer and fall.
“The vision for more sustainable, affordable and reliable energy in the Holland community has continued to evolve throughout the years and the replacement of JDY with HEP is the product of that vision,” said Koster.
The Holland Board of Public Works is a community-owned enterprise providing electric generation and distribution, water, wastewater treatment and broadband utility services to nearly 28,000 business and residential customers in the Holland area.
