Latest Consumers Energy Stories

JACKSON, Mich., Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, has declared regular quarterly dividends on both series of the utility's preferred stock. The following dividends are payable Jan. 1, 2013 to shareholders of record Dec. 10, 2012: $1.04 per share on the $4.16 stock (NYSE: CMS_pa), and $1.125 per share on the $4.50 stock (NYSE: CMS_pb). CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) is a Michigan-based company that has an...

JACKSON, Mich., Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy has launched its first-ever on-line outage map which provides current information about electric outages and an estimate of when service will be restored. The new outage map is at: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/outagemap "We're pleased to provide our customers with this exciting new on-line tool which provides up-to-date information on electric outage status in the 61 Michigan counties where Consumers Energy...

BAY CITY, Mich., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy has started work on a $5 million utility project that will support the Uptown - Bay City development in downtown Bay City. The project, funded jointly by the utility and Bay City, involves the installation of underground electric lines that will replace existing overhead lines. The overhead lines, poles, and towers will be removed after the underground system is installed, tested, and in service. That equipment is...

JACKSON, Mich., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Solar projects planned by five business and 16 residential customers have been selected to move forward as part of Consumers Energy's ongoing implementation of Michigan's energy reform law. The random-selection process for these qualified applicants is part of the utility's Experimental Advanced Renewables Program. The program provides for the long-term purchase of renewable energy generated by solar energy systems owned by the...

JACKSON, Mich., Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy awarded nearly $3.7 million in incentives to commercial and industrial customers in the third quarter of 2012 to help fund 996 energy efficiency projects that provide long-term savings. These projects are saving the 959 participating customers an estimated $3.9 million in energy costs annually. The energy saved through the projects is enough to serve more than 5,000 residential electric customers and nearly 800...

JACKSON, Mich., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumers Energy Foundation announced today that it has awarded a $125,000 grant to support a new literacy program in Jackson County. The grant will benefit the newly created Energizing Education Program, a product of the new Cradle to Career collaborative. The pilot program will begin at Frost Elementary School, Head Start and the Partnership Park Afterschool Program in January 2013. The long-range goal for the program is for it to...

JACKSON, Mich., Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in its 125-year history, Consumers Energy is sending natural gas crews to assist with storm restoration work outside of Michigan, with about 25 employees leaving Tuesday to join more than 300 other utility employees and contractors already providing assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. While electric line crews and other employees historically have provided mutual assistance in parts of the United States after...

JACKSON, Mich., Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Falling temperatures signal to Michigan residents that heating season has arrived, and with it comes an increased risk of carbon monoxide dangers. That's why Gov. Rick Snyder has joined with Consumers Energy and declared Oct. 28 - Nov. 3 "Michigan Carbon Monoxide Safety and Awareness Week." Consumers Energy reminds home and business owners to take preventive measures now that will provide protection against carbon monoxide (CO), a toxic...

JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy and its contractors are responding to calls for post-Hurricane Sandy power restoration assistance by sending more than 300 workers to numerous locations in the destructive storm's path, from metro Detroit to the East Coast. Early Thursday morning, 30 employees from across Consumers Energy's service territory will leave Dundee, Mich. for Cleveland to assist First Energy with wide scale power restoration efforts. (News...

JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With high winds expected across Michigan as Hurricane Sandy moves west, Consumer Energy is reminding its customers of what to do before, during and after a storm. The utility is making preparations and staffing additional personnel to respond to any electric service interruptions that may result from the strong winds associated with Hurricane Sandy. While the hurricane's center is expected to make landfall on the East Coast late Monday,...