A power plant in Clinton will close in June, six years earlier than expected. On Wednesday Alliant Energy announced the change for M.L. Kapp Generating Station.
Spokesman Mike Wagner says when the company converted the 71 year old plant from coal to natural gas three years ago, it set the closing for 2024. But a recent study showed it would be in the best interest of customers to move up the date to June lst of this year.
In recent years, it's just been used during times of peak demand.
"On days when we have heavy energy use, we call this unit into service and this helps us fill our customers' energy needs because you really can't store energy so you have to meet the demand as it comes on. And in the last year, M.L. Kapp was in service for just 11 days."
The power plant in Clinton currently has 21 employees, and they learned of the closing just on Wednesday.
"More than half of the work force is eligible for retirement, so some of them are considering that option. And others are examining their options."
Wagner says Alliant customers should not notice any difference after the plant closes.
Later this year, the company will prepare the site in Clinton for possible sale.
