Displaying items tagged: Consumers Energy
Editor's Notebook: Poking the utilities
The state Legislature has been active in recent weeks on energy bills being championed by West Michigan lawmakers.
Utilities launch campaign as advocates, lawmakers ramp up community solar pressure
Michigan’s two largest investor-owned utilities have launched an “education campaign” as clean energy advocates tout the potential economic benefits of community solar energy and as lawmakers consider bills on the topic that the utilities oppose.
Industrial electric customers could choose power supplier under new bill
A state lawmaker from West Michigan has introduced legislation that would give industrial electric customers an opportunity to select alternative power suppliers in what supporters say is an effort to reduce electric costs and attract investments.
With tight industrial inventory, developers turn to outlying metro areas
Low industrial real estate vacancy rates and ongoing construction backlogs are pushing industrial projects to more rural and outlying areas.
Four new solar projects set to come online next year for Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy expects to start purchasing power next year from four new solar projects that will add more than 100 megawatts of renewable energy to the utility’s generation mix.
Consumers Energy unveils ‘win-win’ solar project on former Cadillac brownfield property
CADILLAC — Consumers Energy has unveiled a new “brownfield to brightfield” solar project that converted formerly abandoned industrial property into a clean energy power source.
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‘It’s complicated’: Advocates give Consumers Energy’s long-term plan mixed reviews
Environmental and ratepayer advocates are withholding their full-throated support for Consumers Energy’s new long-term energy plan that eliminates coal usage by 2025, citing concerns over potential rate effects and the scale of ongoing fossil fuel reliance.
Consumers Energy plans to close remaining coal plants by 2025
JACKSON — Michigan’s largest energy company announced today that it plans to phase out its remaining coal-fired power plants by 2025, which would be 15 years earlier than planned, as part of its updated long-term energy plan.
Consumers Energy to sell bank subsidiary in $960 million deal
JACKSON — CMS Energy Corp. plans to sell a Utah-based bank that specializes in home improvement lending nationwide.
Consumers Energy launches electric vehicle program for businesses
JACKSON — Investor-owned utility Consumers Energy has launched a new electric vehicle program that provides rebates and consultation to businesses looking to transition to electrified fleets.
Major utilities seek negotiations on rooftop solar bill
Michigan’s two major investor-owned utilities want to negotiate with state legislators and advocates on a proposed bill that would expand access to the companies’ rooftop solar programs.
Consumers Energy plans to ramp up electric vehicle fast-charging stations
JACKSON — Consumers Energy plans to help ramp up the number of fast-charging electric vehicle stations across the Lower Peninsula in the coming years to ensure EV drivers can travel longer distances while maintaining access to charging equipment.
FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
Utilities chart renewable energy future as state mandates level off
Michigan’s mandates for renewable power and energy efficiency programs — first set in 2008 and slightly increased in 2016 — are scheduled to level off this year, although it may make little difference as the clean energy transition rolls on under market forces.
Renewable natural gas, battery storage to play key roles in low-emissions future
The ability to store intermittent renewable energy from wind and solar and capturing methane emissions from common waste streams to displace natural gas usage are two technologies poised to play a bigger role in a lower carbon future.
Lawmakers reintroduce legislation to expand rooftop solar program
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers has again proposed legislation backed by clean energy advocates to expand utility programs for customers who generate their own solar power.
6 West Michigan companies earn top grades for LGBTQ equality workplaces
GRAND RAPIDS — Six West Michigan corporations earned top scores in this year’s Corporate Equality Index rankings recently published by the Human Rights Campaign, showcasing the companies as among the best places to work for LGBTQ equality.
Utility foundations use deep nonprofit network to distribute millions in COVID relief funds
The corporate foundations of the state’s two major energy utilities have distributed nearly $26.5 million in direct relief funds to meet basic needs such as food, shelter and personal protective equipment since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Regulators approve 3-year electric commercial fleet program in Consumers Energy case
A Michigan Public Service Commission order in a sweeping Consumers Energy rate case last month includes a three-year pilot program to study the roll-out of electrified commercial fleet vehicles.
MiBiz Growth Report: January 3, 2021
Here is the MiBiz growth report for January 3, 2021.
Clean energy, Line 5, electric choice on Michigan’s energy docket in 2021
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order in late September creating a long-term climate change plan calling for the state to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Michigan utility CEO takes helm amid major energy transition
Like many utilities, Consumers Energy is at the beginning of a decades-long transition that will fundamentally change the way electricity is generated. Utilities are gradually replacing large, centralized coal plants with more distributed resources like wind and solar along with battery storage. Consumers announced in February a target to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040. Its broader long-term Clean Energy Plan was announced in 2019 under former CEO Patti Poppe, who this month started a new job leading California’s largest utility, PG&E. The reins have been passed to new President and CEO Garrick Rochow, who’s been with the Jackson-based utility for 16 years, most recently as senior vice president of operations.
Consumers Energy agrees to expand rooftop solar program
JACKSON — Consumers Energy has agreed to expand a solar energy program that advocates say is crucial to continue the sector’s growth in Michigan.
Q&A: Megan Sall Rydecki, Community Affairs Manager for Kent County, Consumers Energy
Megan Sall Rydecki comes to Consumers Energy amid major short- and long-term changes at the state’s largest energy provider. Not only is the company in the early stages of a sweeping 20-year transition to clean energy, but its charismatic leader, President and CEO Patti Poppe, last week announced a new job leading California’s largest utility, PG&E Corp., effective Dec. 1.
Consumers Energy CEO stepping down to lead California’s largest utility
JACKSON — CMS Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe is leaving the Jackson-based utility to lead San Francisco-based utility PG&E Corp., effective Dec. 1.
Customers, installers on edge as key solar energy program nears cap
A key program that has incentivized small-scale solar projects in recent years is nearing its cap in two utility service territories.
DTE, Consumers join major utilities in electric vehicle charging pledge
Michigan’s two major investor-owned utilities are joining other large Midwest power companies in pledging to build out an interstate charging network to support more widespread electric vehicle adoption.
DTE Energy plans major two-year solar energy buildout to meet corporate demand
DTE Energy plans to significantly expand its solar energy portfolio in the next two years to support growing corporate demand for renewable energy contracts.
Consumers Energy hosting forums on next phase of clean energy plan
Consumers Energy is hosting a series of virtual public forums over the next several months to gather public input on the next phase of its long-term clean energy plan.
Four electric vehicle fast-charging stations now operating under utility rebate program
Four electric vehicle fast-charging stations are now operating along major highway corridors in the Lower Peninsula as part of the state’s and major utilities’ efforts to build supportive infrastructure allowing for EV growth.
Business Leaders for Michigan PAC contributes $100,000 to civil rights expansion campaign
The political advocacy arm of Business Leaders for Michigan, a roundtable composed of some of the state’s largest companies, has contributed $100,000 to a ballot initiative to expand Michigan’s civil rights law to include LGBTQ protections.