TRAVERSE CITY -- Cherryland Electric was in the hot seat tonight as hundreds of its customers confronted the utility company about its support of a proposed Wolverine Power coal plant.

The proposed coal plant would be built in Roger’s City but most recently plans were stalled when an air quality permit was denied by the state. Cherryland Electric works with Wolverine and its board has 90 days to appeal the government’s decision.

Cherryland Electric ratepayers came to Wuerfel Park Wednesday for a last chance to cast their vote for the three board member openings. Cherryland Electric is one of the only democratically run utility companies in the area. Some co-op members and the Clean Energy Now Coalition have been campaigning specifically for candidates who oppose coal as an energy source. They say coal is dirty and would have doubled their payments but the Cherryland Electric GM says that’s not true.

Tony Anderson says “Rates will not double, its ridiculous, our job and the board’s job is to keep rates as low as possible. If coal doubled the price we wouldn’t build a plant.”

Cherryland Electric has not decided if they will appeal the air permit decision. The company will know by July at the latest.