Monroe County History: J.R. Whiting Power Plant's namesake had impact throughout Michigan

Tom Adamich
Consumers Energy's J.R. Whiting Generating Plant in Luna Pier closed April 15, 2016.
Consumers Energy's J.R. Whiting Generating Plant in Luna Pier closed April 15, 2016.

Justin Rice (J.R.) Whiting’s influence on Monroe County and Luna Pier may not be familiar to many, but the man who was the namesake of the J.R. Whiting Power Plan that operated along Lake Erie’s shores from 1952 to 2016 had a significant impact on life in Monroe County and throughout Michigan.

The coal-fired plant, operated by Consumers Energy, covered over 875 acres along nearly 2 miles of Lake Erie shoreline and was constructed for $80 million (in 1952 dollars – valued at $918 million in 2023 dollars). It was a major revenue source for Luna Pier and enabled it to become a city when it separated from Erie Township in 1963.

The elder Justin Rice (J.R) Whiting was born in Bath, N.Y., on Feb. 18, 1847. He moved with his parents to Port Huron in 1849 where he joined the family lumber/mercantile business and, later, became the U.S. representative from Michigan’s 7th District from 1887-95.
The elder Justin Rice (J.R) Whiting was born in Bath, N.Y., on Feb. 18, 1847. He moved with his parents to Port Huron in 1849 where he joined the family lumber/mercantile business and, later, became the U.S. representative from Michigan’s 7th District from 1887-95.

J.R. Whiting was born in 1886 in Port Huron. His father, also named J.R. Whiting (1847-1903), was a successful businessman in St. Clair County, served Michigan’s 7th District as a U.S. representative from 1887-95 and was an unsuccessful Fusion Party candidate for governor of Michigan in 1898. The younger J.R. Whiting’s grandfather, Col. Henry Whiting (1818-87) was a Civil War hero whose lumber and mercantile businesses in Port Huron contributed to the local and state economy and later successes of his son and grandson.

Col. Henry Whiting, a Civil War hero, became a successful owner of a lumber/mercantile business in Port Huron. His grandson, J.R. Whiting became president of Consumers Power (later Consumers Energy) based in Jackson and the namesake for the J.R. Whiting Power Plant that operated in Monroe County’s Luna Pier from 1952 to 2016.
Col. Henry Whiting, a Civil War hero, became a successful owner of a lumber/mercantile business in Port Huron. His grandson, J.R. Whiting became president of Consumers Power (later Consumers Energy) based in Jackson and the namesake for the J.R. Whiting Power Plant that operated in Monroe County’s Luna Pier from 1952 to 2016.

The younger J.R. Whiting received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1907. Shortly after graduation, he was admitted to the Michigan Bar and later to the New York State Bar (in 1933). He practiced in Jackson and Detroit from 1908-33 and served as president of the Michigan Bar Association from 1932-33.

The younger Justin Rice (J.R.) Whiting is pictured. He was president of Consumers Power (today’s Consumers Energy) starting in the 1940s and remained a board member until his death in 1965. The power plant that bore his name on the Lake Erie shoreline in Luna Pier operated from 1952 to 2016.
The younger Justin Rice (J.R.) Whiting is pictured. He was president of Consumers Power (today’s Consumers Energy) starting in the 1940s and remained a board member until his death in 1965. The power plant that bore his name on the Lake Erie shoreline in Luna Pier operated from 1952 to 2016.

It was the younger J.R. Whiting’s time in New York as a partner at Weadock & Whiting, New York City, that he became counsel for the Commonwealth & Southern Corp. – the predecessor to today’s Consumers Energy. It was during this time (1940-49) that he joined McKone, Badgley, Domke & Kline and became the chairman of the executive committee, director and president of the Consumers Power Co., based in Jackson.

These photos show the construction of Unit 2 of the J.R. Whiting Power Plant (left) in 1952 and turbine construction at Unit 3 (right) in 1953. The plant cost $80 million in 1952 dollars to build ($918 million in 2023 dollars).
These photos show the construction of Unit 2 of the J.R. Whiting Power Plant (left) in 1952 and turbine construction at Unit 3 (right) in 1953. The plant cost $80 million in 1952 dollars to build ($918 million in 2023 dollars).

Thus the decision to name the J.R. Whiting Power Plant at Luna Pier after him was a logical decision. According to a history of the Cobb, Whedock, and Whiting power plants (published by Consumers Energy after the Whiting plant’s 2016 closing), the younger J.R. Whiting said, “As the kilowatts that are generated here alternate throughout the system, may I express the wish that ... they make their contribution to our civilization.”

In its heyday, the J.R. Whiting Power Plant at Luna Pier employed nearly 110 employees and represented more than two-thirds of the city’s tax base. The 328-megawatt, coal-fired plant produced enough power for approximately 300,000 households throughout Southeast Michigan. In 2004, Whiting set a record, producing more than 2.4 million megawatt-hours of electricity. From 1960 through 2011, Whiting’s Unit 2 held Consumers’ record for a coal-fired unit operating continuously.

These photos show the main building (left) and mill foundations (right), circa 1951, for the J.R. Whiting Power Plant operated by Consumers Energy in Luna Pier from 1952 to 2016. Today, the area is being redeveloped by companies such as Charlotte, N.C.-based Forsite Development Inc.
These photos show the main building (left) and mill foundations (right), circa 1951, for the J.R. Whiting Power Plant operated by Consumers Energy in Luna Pier from 1952 to 2016. Today, the area is being redeveloped by companies such as Charlotte, N.C.-based Forsite Development Inc.

Luna Pier city officials, the Monroe County Economic Development Corp., and others have made efforts to develop the decommissioned J.R. Whiting Power Plant as a tax-generating and job-creating facility. These entities worked with the EPA to address some of the water-related issues that were identified, including the impoundment of coal combustion waste and other shoreline issues. Their 2011 report discussed ways to contain wastes and restore pond and dam integrity in critical areas.

The demolition of the J.R. Whiting Power Plant is shown. Charlotte, N.C.-based Forsight Development has worked to reclaim the site and prepare it for future development.
The demolition of the J.R. Whiting Power Plant is shown. Charlotte, N.C.-based Forsight Development has worked to reclaim the site and prepare it for future development.

The many workers who were employed at the J.R. Whiting Power Plant over the years worked hard to employ environmental best practices, including being the coal-fired unit to install reverse osmosis equipment to provide the site with boiler feed water. Their commitment to the area and the community continued as workers and their families lived, shopped and were partners in Luna Pier and Erie’s community and religious organizations.

Tom Adamich is president of Visiting Librarian Service, a firm he has operated since 1993. He also is project archivist for the Greening Nursery Co. and Family Archives and the electric vehicle awareness coordinator at Monroe County Community College.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County History: Whiting Power Plant's namesake's impact

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