MUSKEGON, MI - Consumers Energy will offer public, guided tours Saturday, Jan. 9. of the soon-to-be-shuttered B.C. Cobb Plant in Muskegon, the company announced Wednesday.

The coal-fired B.C. Cobb Plant is scheduled to close April 15, 2016. It has been generating electricity since 1948. Consumers is Muskegon and Muskegon County's top taxpayer, and the B.C. Cobb's smoke stack has dominated the city skyline for decades.

Consumers will offer a limited number of guided tours from 8:40 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., Jan. 9 with trolleys departing from the former Masonic Temple Building, 396 W. Clay Ave. in Muskegon.

People will be able to sign up for trolley tours beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Masonic Temple site. After signing up for a tour, each attendee will be issued a boarding pass.

With 15 guests on each trolley, it is anticipated about 300 people will be able to tour the facility.

"While there is no cost for the tours, it is on a first-come, first-served basis and boarding passes must be presented to board the trolley," according to the announcement from Consumers.

While both the trolleys and the plant entrance are barrier-free, the tour will involve a fair amount of walking, according to Consumers. All attendees should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and no high heels or sandals. Hard hats, safety glasses and hearing protection will be provided.

Picture taking or video recording of any kind, including cell phones will be restricted to escorted news media who receive prior approval.

Tour attendees will receive a commemorative program after the tour, according to Consumers. Coffee, water and cookies will be available to tour attendees after they have received their boarding passes.

Stephen Kloosterman is a reporter for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at sklooste@mlive.com or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+

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