By Staff Reports in the Holland Sentinel
Holland — To put its current discussion in a Historical context, the Holland Board of Public Works reprinted a brochure circa 1940 that it distributed when the now aging James De Young coal power plant was new.
The brochure — along with a modern companion brochure and a deck of cards — were at place settings for the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast event Tuesday, which was sponsored by the BPW.
The vintage brochure with its simplistic illustrations was compared against a “sustainable return on investment” study the BPW recently completed.
“It’s not the first time we’ve had this conversation … our tools are a little more sophisticated,” according to the BPW’s modern brochure.
The aging, coal-fired James Deyoung power plant became controversial recently as the Board of Public Works weighed whether to expand the plant.
The Holland Board of Public Works Board of Directors approved Monday a resolution that states it is on board with its staff’s recommendation to move ahead with a natural gas power plant to supply electricity in Holland.
What will happen to the James DeYoung power plant in the future is unclear.
[Photo Caption: The Holland Board of Public Works reprinted a 1940s-era brochure, along with a new one and presented it at a Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012.]