Cherryland announced it will achieve a 56 percent carbon-free fuel mix by January 1, 2018.

“When carbon-free wholesale power supply and affordability goals can be wrapped into a single package, it is an awesome win-win scenario for all the members of Cherryland,” said Tony Anderson, general manager of Cherryland Electric Cooperative.

To reach the substantial carbon-free portfolio and emission reductions, Cherryland’s power supplier, Wolverine Power Cooperative, signed a new long-term contract for zero-emission nuclear energy. When added to current renewable energy assets, the agreement will increase the amount of carbon-free energy in Cherryland’s fuel mix from 31 to 56 percent.

“Environmental stewardship and cost-competitive energy are important to our members, and we’re proud to create an opportunity to address both next year,” said Eric Baker, president and chief executive officer of Wolverine Power Cooperative. “We will deliver more renewables and less carbon while maintaining cost and reliability for our members.”

In the past year, Wolverine and its members added more than 150 MW of renewable energy generation by agreeing to a long-term contract for the Deerfield wind project and building SpartanSolar—Northern Michigan’s largest solar array. Combined this represents a 25 percent reduction in carbon emissions since 2016. Wolverine and its members lead Michigan utilities with the highest percentage of new renewables and exceed both present and anticipated state portfolio requirements.