In 1968 , Consumers Power began construction of a nuclear power plant in Midland , primarily for the Dow Chemical Company . The project 's budget was $ 257 million , with completion anticipated in 1972 . Extreme construction problems caused years of delays and costs soared . The Three Mile Island accident in 1979 resulted in a massive change in nuclear regulatory requirements and system redesign . When it was revealed that the containment buildings were settling and foundation cracks were discovered , Dow canceled their contract with Consumers Power , and the project was abandoned in 1984 . The $ 4.1 billion investment nearly bankrupted Consumers Power . However , in 1985 , Consumers Power formed a partnership with eight other companies to convert Midland 's abandoned nuclear plant into a gas-fired power plant . Transformation of the plant began in 1986 and was completed at a cost of $ 500 million . The Midland Cogeneration Venture began producing power in 1991 and that success restored faith in Consumers Power . The facility now produces 10 % of the power consumption for the lower peninsula of Michigan
Three Mile Island accident
Three Mile Island accident
Midland, Michigan