Michigan Power Plants Import Coal

Consumers' Power, a large Michigan electric and gas utiilty recently announced that it has rescinded the application to build a new, coal-fired, power plant in the Northern area of the lower penninsula of Michigan. Their rationale was that market conditions did not warrant a new plant at this time. It is astounding to me that Consumers' Power would plan a coal-fired with Western coal imported to Michigan, especially since the location of the plant would be almost on top of the Antrim Shale gas field. Why would anyone want to build another coal-fired plant on the shores of the Great Lakes, further adding to the mercury pollution of those waters? Also, Western coal contains a radioactive component which, when burned, may exceed the radon emissions of a nuclear power plant. Furthermore, the coal is hauled by a diesel-electric locomotive burning distillate fuel, rather than more abundant fractions or natural gas. Why don't electric utilities work with the coal companies and railroads to electrify the rail systems to/from the Western mines? It seems that they would have considerable leverage.