The company sponsored the summit at Michigan International Speedway on June 25 as part of its commitment to Pure Michigan Business Connect.

“We’re spending more money with Michigan businesses since joining Governor Snyder’s Pure Michigan Business Connect initiative,” said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of distribution and customer operations. “In real terms, this means over the past year 274 significant purchase orders were awarded to 126 Michigan businesses.”

As part of Pure Michigan Business Connect, Consumers Energy has awarded $272 million in multiyear contracts and spent $104 million over the past year with Michigan companies.

The company’s commitment to increase its business contracts with Michigan over the next five years is in addition to the $2 billion annually it now spends in the state.

These investments are in customer service, electric and natural gas operations, energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental stewardship.

Companies interested in doing business with Consumers Energy are encouraged to visit the Michigan Economic Develop Corp.’s website at www.michiganadvantage.org/Business-Connect or Consumers Energy’s website at www.consumersenergy.com/puremichigan.

“Consumers Energy employees are grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Michigan for 125 years with electric and natural gas service,” said John Russell, president and chief executive officer. “Today, in our hometown of Jackson where our company began, we’re celebrating this history and focusing on adding value to our customers.”

Today’s events, held at the company’s One Energy Plaza headquarters in Jackson, began with a musical fanfare composed for the occasion by Dr. Bruce Brown, chair of the music department at Spring Arbor University and composer-in-residence with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.

Entitled “Let There Be Light,” the three-minute composition was performed by members of the orchestra's brass section.

Activities also included an unveiling of a series of historical markers identifying key moments in Consumers Energy’s history.

These markers are available for public viewing and are located on the west side of the headquarters building.

In addition, a time capsule containing company-related materials provided by employees and retirees was buried, to be unearthed in 2112.   

As part of the agreement, HCL expects to hire local technology professionals and create 300 professional technology positions during phase one of the MTDC opening.

The MTDC also will be a designated training and development hub for advanced and emerging information technology (IT) processes, tools and will work with local universities and colleges.

The center will establish a learning academy to train Consumers Energy employees on advanced and emerging technologies, and will be further expanded to accommodate 500 technology professionals in the next few years.

The two companies entered into an agreement to improve operational excellence through advanced technological operations and processes, and provide significant benefits to the mid-Michigan and Jackson economies.

The agreement will significantly increase Michigan’s IT capacity, while improving employment prospects for IT graduates from Michigan universities and colleges. It will also serve as a leading example of Michigan’s new, successful economic policies.

This agreement is the result of the Consumers Energy’s vision to embark on a game-changing plan to move its IT department from a technology support role to a technology innovation focus. It will utilize HCL’s expertise through its matured processes and highly-qualified employees. 

More than 46 applicants so far have responded to the company’s April solicitation for proposals.

Applicants from 17 Michigan counties submitted qualified projects, exceeding the electric capacity available in this phase of Consumers Energy’s solar program.

An event to randomly select residential customer solar projects is scheduled for May 10 at 6 p.m. at Curtiss Hall on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road, in Saginaw.

State Reps. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth; Jim Stamas, R-Midland; and Charles Brunner, D-Bay City, are scheduled to participate.

This 90-minute event is open to the public. Reservations for this event and information about the program are available at www.consumersenergy.com/EARP.

Starting in April, customers will see their bills lowered by about 13 percent – welcome news in tough economic times.

Delivering on our “Count on Us” promise, we’re reducing fuel costs for our natural gas customers by about $130 million over the next year to levels not seen in nine years.

This long-term reduction comes on top of lower fuel costs from the recent mild winter, saving our typical residential natural gas customer about $94 compared to the previous year.

“We’re pleased that during our 125th year of service, Michigan families, businesses and local economies will see value from these savings,” said Tim Sparks, vice president of energy supply operations.

Sparks led our search for cost-reduction opportunities brought about by changes in the U.S. natural gas market.

“We’re continuing to adjust our gas purchasing strategy to ensure we’re minimizing our costs so we can maximize the benefits to our customers,” Sparks said. “We’re also making significant investments in Michigan’s natural gas system to provide our customers with the benefit of accessing declining fuel prices.”

Our customers can save additional money by taking advantage of incentives and rebates we offer to customers who make their homes more energy efficient. Information about our energy efficiency programs is available at www.consumersenergy.com.

Our website also features an easy-to-use calculator to compare natural gas costs to other heating fuels, such as propane or heating oil at our website. For details, visit www.consumersenergy.com/gascenter.

The barge dock improvement, which was handled by Hardman Construction Inc. in Ludington, paves the way for additional preparations necessary for receiving shipments of six new turbine runners, each weighing 290 tons, for the upgrade project. That project is scheduled to begin in 2013 and run through 2019.

After it’s completed, the upgrade is expected to add 300 megawatts to the current 1,872-megawatt capacity of the plant.

“This efficiency of the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant is a good value for electric customers of DTE Energy and Consumers Energy,” said Brian Zatloukal, a Consumers Energy project engineer.

“The plant will help us to meet customer demand at key times, while simultaneously enhancing our ability to balance the fluctuating output of increasing numbers of wind turbines within the renewable energy segment of our energy portfolios.”

An estimated 100 outside workers will be employed at the site from 2013 to 2019 to install equipment to increase the output of the plant, while simultaneously increasing its water pumping capability.

The Ludington Pumped Storage Plant is co-owned by Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, which both support the Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative (PMBC).

PMBC is designed to attract and expand business opportunities throughout the state.

To learn more, visit Major Energy Developments in Michigan.

Sixty-seven applicants responded to the company’s December solicitation for proposals. Applicants submitted qualified projects with almost double the amount of electric capacity available in this phase of the utility’s solar program.

An event to randomly select go-forward residential customer solar projects is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Prince Convention Center at Calvin College, 1800 E. Beltline SE, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell and state Rep. Roy Schmidt, D-Grand Rapids, are scheduled to speak at the 90-minute event, which is open to the public. Information is available at www.consumersenergy.com/EARP.

Following a brief program overview and speaker remarks, qualified proposals will be selected at random to identify residential projects to be awarded contracts for the purchase of solar energy generated over the next 15 years.

Projects to be selected are located in communities across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

To learn more, check out a recent interview with Consumers Energy's Keith Troyer and Tim Pietryga on Grand Rapids television station WOOD.

An average residential gas customer will pay a bill of about $112 this month for usage during December compared to about $140 in previous years.

The company provides natural gas service to 1.7 million customers in 45 counties in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

Making homes more energy efficient also can save customers money. Information on incentives and rebates for gas and electric customers through the company’s energy efficiency programs is available at www.consumersenergy.com.

The company is on track to meet its commitment of increasing spending with Michigan companies by $50 million in the first year of the initiative.

Doing more business with Michigan companies and helping create jobs in the state is the goal of Consumers Energy’s commitment to PMBC, launched by Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC).

“Pure Michigan Business Connect complements our role as a key economic engine in the state,” said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of distribution and customer operations.

“Our suppliers are responding favorably to this initiative, which is providing companies here more opportunities to grow and add jobs. We fully expect to reach our commitment to this initiative.”

Consumers Energy’s commitment to increase its spending in Michigan by $250 million over the next five years is in addition to its $2 billion annually spent in the state.

Companies interested in doing business with Consumers Energy are encouraged to visit the MEDC’s website at www.michiganadvantage.org/Business-Connect or Consumers Energy at www.consumersenergy.com/puremichigan.

Like so many of the great entrepreneurial stories of Michigan, this one started with an idea in a flour mill. In 1884, Foote agreed to have an electric generator installed in his flour mill. That spawned Foote’s fascination with electricity and started him tinkering with the idea of electrically-powered streetlights that became a reality in 1886.

From those humble beginnings, Foote formed the Jackson Electric Light Works in 1888, and it went on to become Consumers Energy. Today, the company serves 6.8 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents in all 68 counties of the state’s Lower Peninsula. With more than 7,500 employees statewide, Consumers Energy is a Michigan business serving hundreds of local communities across the state.

While Consumers Energy is celebrating its 125th birthday, the company also is celebrating the pioneering spirit of Michigan businesses that started with an idea. Foote was a flour mill operator from Adrian, and Jarvis was a foreman at an iron and engine works in Lansing. Their idea of lighting the streets of Jackson went on to power the state of Michigan. Today, Consumers Energy wishes the same success to the entrepreneurs working in the warmth and light of the energy it provides.

To learn more about Consumers Energy’s 125th anniversary, visit our website to see a video and view a Flickr photo album and check out a recent article from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Consumers Energy awarded $4.3 million in incentives to fund 888 projects in the third quarter to help Michigan commercial and industrial customers become more energy efficient.

Statewide, these projects are saving 653 participating customers an estimated $2.9 million in energy costs annually. This represents savings of 52.9 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and more than 106,005 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas annually.

That’s enough energy to serve about 6,488 residential electric customers and about 1,097 residential natural gas customers.

Business Solutions, the energy efficiency program for commercial and industrial customers, is part of Consumers Energy’s comprehensive energy efficiency program, which was launched in accordance with the 2008 energy law.

“Our Business Solutions program continues to be very popular among our commercial and industrial customers,” said Fred Alatalo, Consumers Energy’s business energy efficiency operations director.

“Utilizing our incentive program to improve energy efficiency is a great strategy that provides long-term value for our customers.

“The program supports Michigan’s economic recovery by helping our business customers reach their goals of becoming more energy efficiency and reducing their operating expenses.”

Consumers Energy’s goal for 2011 is for Business Solutions energy savings to reach 134 million kWh and 366,000 Mcf. So far this year, 66.5 million kWh and 205,113 Mcf have been saved.

Learn more about energy efficiency program for businesses as well as residential customers and how to apply for incentives by visiting www.consumersenergy.com/eeprograms.

The program provides for the long-term purchase of renewable energy generated by solar energy systems owned by the utility’s electric customers.

The three projects are all non-residential and recently were selected during a random drawing of qualified applicants.

The three projects are:

• A 24-kilowatt (kW) system owned by the City of Saginaw to be constructed on its Department of Public Works building.
• A 150-kW system owned by the City of Jackson to be constructed at its wastewater treatment plant.
• A 10-kW system owned by the Blue Water Grill in Grand Rapids. The Blue Water Grill is part of the Gilmore Collection.

“We are pleased to work with interested customers on growing solar energy in Michigan,” said David Ronk, Consumers Energy’s director of transactions and resource planning.

“This initiative supports Consumers Energy’s goal of providing a balanced energy resource for our customers.”

Consumers Energy’s Experimental Advanced Renewable Program recently was expanded to include an additional 3 megawatts following approval by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Customer installations under earlier phases of the program added 2 megawatts of solar energy, resulting from solar panel installations at 102 locations throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

For details about the Experimental Advanced Renewable Program, visit www.consumersenergy.com/EARP.
 

The lower cost estimate is due to reduced fuel prices and is based on normal weather patterns.

“We’re working hard to control costs for our customers,” said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of distribution and customer operations. “We know that family budgets are tight these days and that even small savings help out.”

The company provides natural gas service to 1.7 million customers in 45 counties in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

An average residential customer can expect to pay a typical monthly bill of about $141 this winter, down from $145 last winter.

Consumers Energy recommends that customers save additional money by making their homes more energy efficient.

Information about the company’s energy efficiency programs is available at www.consumersenergy.com/eeprograms.

Consumers Energy’s Green Generation program is inviting Michigan high schools in its electric or combination service territory to participate in a Green Scenes video contest showing their school’s commitment to renewable energy.

The grand prize entry will receive $5,000 for their school with smaller prizes for first, second and third place.

Videos can be submitted from now through Nov. 15. Contest information and official contest rules are available at www.greenscenescontest.com.

“This program taps into the amazing creativity and enthusiasm for renewable energy by high school students,” said Tom Shirilla, Green Generation program manager for Consumers Energy. “It also provides a great opportunity to win a cash prize to benefit your high school.”

The winning entries will be based on a number of criteria, including creativity, strength of theme, video quality and the number of votes received at the Green Scenes contest website.

Voting for this contest ends on Nov. 30, 2011, and winning entries will be named shortly thereafter.

Student participants are encouraged to recruit their family and friends to vote for their video application and help their high school win one of four prize levels.

Jon Allan, executive director of environmental policy and intergovernmental affairs, will co-chair the Blue Ribbon Panel on State Parks and Outdoor Recreation for one year.

The 16-member panel will conduct a yearlong review of state parks and recreation areas and explore different options to ensure these facilities evolve to meet the needs of Michigan’s diverse and changing population.

Together, they will evaluate the state’s 100 parks and recreation areas, which draw more than 25 million visitors annually.

Allan, who also recently served on the Environmental Advisory Council with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, will co-lead the panel with Erin McDonough, executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

“As co-chairs, we have the privilege and responsibility to lead a diverse, thoughtful and hardworking group of individuals to create the kind of vision for the parks that can take us well into this century,” he said.

“We also are focusing on how to leverage these facilities to create meaningful experiences for the current and future users of our state’s incredible parks.”

SmartSynch, a Jackson, Miss.-based Smart Grid communications network vendor, will provide smart electric meters and a cellular communications network to help transfer energy usage information from 1.8 million customers’ homes and businesses back to the company.

Consumers Energy’s Smart Grid program will use smart electric meters to provide customers with frequent detailed energy use and cost information.

The company’s decision to use existing cellular networks instead of building and maintaining private networks for Smart Grid communications comes after extensive research and testing.

Consumers Energy is the largest U.S. utility to choose a cellular-based communication system for smart meter deployment.

The company also has named Corix Utilities U.S.A., a Milwaukee-based company that develops customized water, wastewater and energy systems along with field metering services, as its Smart Grid meter installation vendor.

Consumers Energy has awarded an eight-year contract for Corix to install 1.8 million electric smart meters.

Corix’s upcoming meter installation work will result in 70 new jobs over the term of the contract.

Smart electric meter installation will begin in Muskegon County in August 2012 with additional phases continuing through 2019 across the company’s service territory.

These artists are Michigan elementary school students who submitted pictures to Consumers Energy’s 2011-2012 safety calendar.

Their artwork promotes energy safety and highlights the dangers of sticking forks in toasters, removing colored flags to mark underground natural gas lines and playing near substations.

“It’s a win for everybody,” said Marj Longcore, Consumers Energy’s education program manager. “It gets the kids excited about it, and it reinforces the message. It gives them a chance to think about what they’ve learned.”

Nearly 2,000 pieces of artwork were considered from schools throughout the state for the calendar, which covers the academic year September 2011 through August 2012.

For the calendar, Consumers Energy’s education program team selected 28 drawings, one for each of the 16 months in the calendar, and 12 honorable mentions.

“The calendar gives them a creative outlet to express their thoughts and ideas on what they have learned from the program,” said Michelle Mitchell, a Consumers Energy education program administrator.

“Teachers post the calendars and other kids see the same safety messages. It brings it right to their level, and it’s something they can relate to.”

To receive a copy of the calendar, send an email to education@consumersenergy.com.

For details on Consumers Energy’s education programs, visit the Brain Station website at www.consumersenergy.com/students

A typical residential customer implementing energy efficiency measures has saved about $160 since the programs were launched in July 2009.

The company estimates that the total savings for customers over the life of the energy efficiency measures implemented because of these programs will be $2.5 billion.

More than 21,000 business customers have participated in at least one of Consumers Energy’s energy efficiency programs, saving an estimated $32 million since the programs were launched.

“During these challenging economic times, it’s worth noting that families and businesses are reducing their energy bills and saving money by implementing a broad range of energy efficiency measures,” said Teri Van Sumeren, manager of energy efficient solutions for Consumers Energy.

The company launched the energy optimization programs in response to Michigan’s 2008 energy reform law.

The law requires Consumers Energy and other utilities to work with customers to reduce electric use by 5.5 percent and natural gas use by 3.85 percent by 2015.

Team leaders in orange vests passed out nets, gloves, waders, paddles and other various tools that would assist the members of the Grand River Environmental Action Team (GREAT) in their annual Grand River cleanup on Sept. 10.

“We had almost 80 volunteers signed up to clean up the Grand River that day,” said Nelson, a Consumers Energy accounts payable employee in Jackson. “It’s a good feeling to be part of a team that is helping to make the Grand River a better place for everyone.”

Nelson is a member of GREAT, which was founded in 1990 with the goal of protecting and restoring the Upper Grand River Watershed in Jackson. The organization organizes clean-up activities and monthly public canoe outings to raise environmental awareness.

The Grand River cleanup is an annual event that has taken place since 1991.

Rhapsedy Kiley, a Consumers Energy business technology solutions technical analyst in Jackson, Mich., joined GREAT about a month ago.

“It’s important for everybody to be involved and take part in keeping the community safe and the environment clean,” she said.

The company will sponsor three “Energy Answers Day” sessions from noon to 4 p.m. in the following locations:

• Saginaw service center, 2400 Weiss St., on Sept. 22
• Muskegon service center, 2021 Hoyt St., on Sept. 27
• The Sarvis Center in Flint, 1231 E. Kearsley St., on Oct. 11

Utility representatives will be available to help customers design their own plans for reducing their energy usage and saving money. Local assistance agencies also will provide resource guidance.

Energy Answers Day is designed to provide a one-stop forum for customers to learn about practical energy efficiency steps they can take to save energy and money.

It’s a new step in the company’s ongoing efforts to work with customers and help them use energy efficiently.

Attendees will have a chance to register to win a Consumers Energy Gift of Energy certificate and several energy-related prizes.

For more information about assistance programs and energy-saving tips, visit the Energy Answers section of our website at www.consumersenergy.com/energyanswers.

Attendees also can learn more about the company’s energy efficiency programs, rebates and incentives at www.consumersenergy.com/eeprograms.

With accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and LinkedIn, Consumers Energy is using these two-way channels to engage in frequent and real-time conversations with customers. The company also uses an "In Your Community" blog to keep in touch with local community leaders.

“Social media allows us to communicate more often with our customers and also gives us the opportunity to share a variety of information, ranging from energy efficiency tips and energy safety education programs to how employees are volunteering in the community,” said Jodie Burditt, a Consumers Energy social media analyst. “People can begin to see Consumers Energy and its employees in a new light.”

As part of Consumers Energy’s Digital Care Team, Burditt and Leslie Youngdahl, a social media analyst, are responsible for monitoring social media posts about the company.

They also respond to posts and provide power outage information and company updates, and gauge customer sentiments.

“Customers can talk to us directly, and it makes it easier for us to get a real feel of their perspective,” Youngdahl said. “At any given time, you can get a pulse on our customers and the company.”

To learn more about Consumers Energy through social media, visit Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, In Your Community blog and LinkedIn.

The company is implementing its updated renewable energy plan in September, saving its 1.8 million electric customers $54 million a year in lower costs.

A residential customer will see yearly savings of more than $22 as a result of this reduction.

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest supplier of renewable energy. The company previously updated its renewable energy plan to reflect its latest cost estimates and proposed reducing a renewable energy surcharge for electric customers.

Consumers Energy received approval for its plan from the Michigan Public Service Commission.

“Consumers Energy is working hard to keep costs low for our customers. At the same time, we are effectively moving forward to develop new renewable energy sources in Michigan,” said John Russell, president and chief executive officer.

Service to others is a unique part of Consumers Energy’s summer intern program. In addition to learning about possible future jobs, the company’s summer interns contributed almost 500 hours of volunteer service to 15 organizations in Michigan.

Interns collected more than 3,200 new or gently used books, as well as several hundred dollars worth of food, toiletries and power tools to benefit those in need.

Intern teams supported the following charities: Bay County Habitat for Humanity (Bay City); Mission for Area People (Muskegon); Earthworks Urban Farm (Detroit); Kalamazoo Gospel Mission (Kalamazoo); Chance 4 Life (Lansing); Volunteers of America (Lansing); Ele’s Place (Lansing); Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region (Lansing); Imagination Library (Jackson); The Salvation Army (Jackson); American Red Cross (Jackson); Habitat for Humanity (Jackson); Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center (Jackson); Jackson Interfaith Shelter (Jackson); and College Access Center (Jackson).

“Giving back to our communities is an essential part of our corporate culture,” said Carolyn Bloodworth, Consumers Energy’s director of corporate giving.

“Organizations across the state are struggling to meet increased needs. We are especially proud of our interns for embracing this opportunity to get involved and make a positive impact.”

The company is significantly increasing its Experimental Advanced Renewable Program, which provides for the long-term purchase of renewable energy generated by solar systems owned by Consumers Energy’s electric customers.

The program is adding an additional 3 megawatts following recent approval by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

The original phases of the program are now completed and added 2 megawatts of solar panels on roofs and yards across Michigan.

“We’re pleased to offer this opportunity to our customers and look forward to cost-effective innovation in advancing solar technology in Michigan,” said Dave Ronk, Consumers Energy’s director of transactions and resource planning.

“The additional solar generation through this expansion will add to Consumers Energy’s renewable energy portfolio.”

Customer installations under this program were recently completed at 102 locations throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

Customer applications for the new expanded phase of the program will be accepted near the end of August.

For details about the Experimental Advanced Renewable Program, visit www.consumersenergy.com/EARP.

The community college buys about 10 percent of the electricity for its 25-acre downtown campus through the utility’s Green Generation program.

The program allows electric customers to support the development of renewable energy projects by paying a small premium on their monthly bill.

GRCC purchases about 1.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually through Green Generation.

Including the 5 percent of renewable energy that Consumers Energy supplies to all customers, the community college is tapping sources such as wind, biomass, hydroelectric and solar for about 15 percent of its electricity.

Consumers Energy presented the Green Generation award during a June 13 meeting of the school’s board of trustees.

“Organizations like this are the reason that sustainability and renewable energy are progressing in Michigan,” said Tom Shirilla, Green Generation program manager for Consumers Energy.

“What’s more impressive is that they’re making a voluntary commitment to Green Generation – this isn’t something they have to do.”

Consumers Energy created Michigan’s first voluntary renewable energy program when it launched Green Generation in September 2005.

In 2010, the company delivered electricity to about 14,500 Green Generation customers, which include some of the state’s major corporations, municipalities, universities and colleges.

The Natural Resources Defense Council cites job-creation benefits of Consumers Energy's energy-efficiency program in blog post.

Over the next five years, Consumers Energy will increase its spending with Michigan-based suppliers by $250 million, or $50 million a year, as part of a new effort to attract and expand business opportunities throughout the state.

That’s in addition to the $2 billion the company already spends each year as one of the state’s largest purchasers of goods and services.

“This increased spending in Michigan will further Consumers Energy’s goals of providing our customers with higher value through reliable and increasingly clean energy service at affordable rates,” said John Russell, president and chief executive officer.

“The Pure Michigan Business Connect initiative will help Michigan’s economic recovery.”

The company’s commitment to increased spending in Michigan follows the June 2 announcement made by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Russell and other business leaders during the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island.

Consumers Energy is working with the state of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corp., DTE Energy and other companies to help support Pure Michigan Business Connect.

For details, visit the Pure Michigan Business Connect website.

The company will sponsor a free “Energy Answers Day” on May 25 at the Adrian service center, 2613 Maumee St., in Adrian from noon to 4 p.m.

Utility representatives will be available to help customers design their own plans for reducing their energy usage and saving money. Local assistance agencies also will provide resource guidance.

“The Energy Answers Day is designed to provide a one-stop forum for customers to learn about practical energy efficiency steps they can take to save energy and save money,” said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of distribution and customer operations. “It’s a new step in our ongoing efforts to work with customers and help them use energy efficiently.”

Attendees will have a chance to register to win a Consumers Energy Gift of Energy certificate and several energy-related prizes.

For more information about assistance programs and energy-saving tips, visit the Energy Answers section of our website at www.consumersenergy.com/energyanswers.

You also can learn more about the company’s energy efficiency programs, rebates and incentives at www.consumersenergy.com/eeprograms.

That’s enough energy to supply electricity to 30,000 residential homes and natural gas to 9,700 residential homes on an annual basis.

It also translates into nearly $38 million in savings for Consumers Energy customers.

In 2009, Consumers Energy launched an energy efficiency program in response to Michigan’s 2008 energy reform law.

The law requires Consumers Energy and other utilities to work with customers to reduce electric use by 5.5 percent and natural gas use by 3.85 percent by 2015.

Due to significant levels of customer participation, Consumers Energy substantially exceeded the second-year savings required by the energy reform law.

The electric programs delivered 143 percent above the target and the natural gas programs delivered 144 percent above the target.

“We are working on our customers’ behalf everyday to offer energy efficiency programs that make a difference to our customers,” said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of distribution and customer operations. “Customers are saving money and reducing their energy bill because of these programs, one of the primary goals of Michigan’s energy reform law.”

“Since we launched the new site in March, we’ve already received many compliments from employees and nonprofit agencies that submit grant requests to us,” said Carolyn Bloodworth, foundation secretary/treasurer.

“Our employees and grant seekers enjoy the photographs, which include many company employees and give the site a warm, friendly touch. It’s also easier and faster for them to navigate through the site to find the important information they’re looking for.”

The site includes pages users can print to walk them through grant requirements and the grant application process.

Visitors to the site also can find information about the company’s two employee-directedgrant programs, the Volunteer Investment Program and Matching Gifts Program.

The redesigned website provides links to Someone Cares, the foundation annual report completed late last year, and the company’s social responsibility pages.

To view the new website, which dovetails with the design of the company’s website, go to www.consumersenergy.com/foundation.

The company recently received the third annual PayItGreen Award from NACHA – the Electronic Payment Association.

Formerly known as the National Automated Clearing House Association, NACHA sets the rules for automated payment transactions in the United States.

The PayItGreen Award recognizes leadership in the education and promotion of electronic payments, statements and billing to reduce the impact paper has on the environment.

“Consumers Energy is a regional company that was recognized on a national level because we strive to change the way people pay bills and use paper,” said Ron Kerver, Consumers Energy’s cash management director. “It’s gratifying to know NACHA recognized the effort.”

More than 500,000 Consumers Energy customers receive an eBill each month, saving the company 186,450 pounds of paper annually. That amounts to 2,237 trees, according to the PayItGreen financial paper footprint calculator.

More than 1 million customers pay their monthly bill electronically. Meanwhile, 95 percent of Consumers Energy employees are paid through direct deposit.

The company enables paperless supplier and vendor transactions as well as new customer enrollments.

The company’s Experimental Advanced Renewable Program (EARP) pays residential and non-residential customers to produce electricity from solar energy and deliver it to the grid.

About 100 customers, ranging from homeowners with small solar installations to businesses with larger operations, now are generating about 2 megawatts of electrical capacity that’s sold to the utility.

Purchasing that electricity helps Consumers Energy meet Michigan’s renewable energy standard, which requires that 10 percent of the state’s electrical supply comes from renewable sources such as solar, wind, biomass and hydro by 2015.

About 5 percent of the electricity Consumers Energy supplies to customers already comes from renewable sources. The company is in the process of doubling that total, which means adding nearly 650 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, mostly from wind.

Though solar is a relatively tiny slice of the pie, it does earn the company extra renewable energy credits toward meeting the 10-percent goal.

The company launched EARP in May 2009 and has signed contracts to buy the relatively small amount of solar-generated electricity over a 12-year period. The goal is to investigate solar energy’s potential in Michigan’s often cold and cloudy climate while contributing to the broader renewable energy target.

“The EARP is like a real-time laboratory that will help the company determine the best technologies, techniques and manufacturers for solar installations,” said Keith Troyer, Consumers Energy’s EARP coordinator and an engineer II. “That’s why we call it an experimental program.”

The company and other guests will celebrate the arrival of the first locally-owned plug-in electric vehicle at the company’s first public charging station.

The event, which starts at 10:30 a.m. on March 17, will take place behind Marie Catrib’s Restaurant, 1001 Lake Drive, Southeast, in Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell; Sue Swan, Consumers Energy’s vice president of Smart Grid development; and Merl Petzold, owner of the first Chevy Volt sold in Grand Rapids, will present remarks during the event.

Representatives from Berger Chevy and the West Michigan Environmental Action Council also are expected to attend.

The free charging station is the first public station installed in Grand Rapids and is a key part of Consumers Energy’s innovative SmartStreet program in the East Hills neighborhood.

The proposed reduction is part of the company’s updated renewable energy plan, which reflects changing economic conditions, improvements in wind turbine technology and the acceleration of renewable energy projects.

The pilot program will focus on customers experiencing utility account arrearages.

The funding will enable The Salvation Army to hire five case managers: three through The Salvation Army’s Kalamazoo location and two through its Jackson location.

The contribution also will fund the addition of a case management consultant who will work from Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters in Grand Rapids.

“We are thrilled with the generosity of Consumers Energy and what this contribution will mean to our neighbors in need who are experiencing difficulty paying utility bills,” said Maj. Thomas Bowers, divisional commander for Western Michigan and Northern Indiana.

The new program – the Arrearage Case Management Program – will require a thorough review of household budgets for each client.

That will include setting specific financial goals with their caseworker, thereby better equipping clients to manage financial resources and successfully maintain their energy account.

This unique opportunity will allow The Salvation Army to work with Consumers Energy to provide longer-term interventions as well as providing a device for measuring and tracking outcomes.

“The opportunity to create a new approach to helping customers by working with a proven and valued partner like The Salvation Army is important to our company and our employees,” said John Russell, Consumers Energy president and CEO.

The company has filed its updated plan for review by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

The revised plan reflects changing economic conditions, improvements in wind turbine technology, acceleration of renewable energy projects, and the extension of the production tax credit.

The updated plan calls for a reduction in a renewable energy surcharge applied to customer bills, subject to MPSC approval.

The updated plan maintains Consumers Energy’s commitment to have 10 percent of the electricity it provides to customers by 2015 come from Michigan renewable sources, as required by the state’s energy reform law.

Consumers Energy already is Michigan’s leading supplier of renewable energy. In 2010, about 5 percent of the electricity supplied to its 1.8 million customers came from renewable sources.

“Renewable energy is an important part of the company’s balanced resource portfolio, which includes a diverse set of fuel sources and energy efficiency to meet future electric needs,” said John Russell, president and CEO. “The energy law has enabled investment in renewable energy in Michigan and the creation of jobs. The revised renewable energy plan represents a significant reduction in costs to our customers.”

The United Way was the largest single recipient with nearly $1.8 million contributed to 57 local United Way organizations.

Recognizing the growing number of Michigan families struggling because of the poor economy, CMS Energy increased its contributions from a donor-advised fund by about $1 million in 2010. 

The additional funds were targeted for early childhood and basic needs programs, such as a $50,000 grant to the Food Bank Council of Michigan for the distribution of fresh food and $60,000 to the Child Care Network to support child care scholarships in Jackson County.

David Mengebier, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation, said the additional $1 million plus increases in all other contribution areas pushed the company’s overall giving in 2010 well past its 2009 level of $3.3 million.

“We significantly increased our support to some of the leading assistance organizations in the state last year so they could help more people.  The main goal of our philanthropic efforts is simple: to help people in the communities that we serve,” he said.

“We’ve been a part of Michigan and serving families and businesses for 125 years. Our company motto is ‘Count on Us,’ which is a pledge to our customers and communities and a commitment that we take seriously.

Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison, which co-own the plant, will invest about $40 million a year for 10 years in the project, which will create 100 construction building trades jobs annually for six years and increase the plant’s generating capacity by 16 percent.

The company operates and owns 51 percent of the plant, which has provided Michigan electric customers with reliable, low-cost electricity since 1973. Detroit Edison owns 49 percent of the facility.

The project, which will increase the generating capacity of the plant from its current level of 1,872 megawatts (MW) to about 2,172 MW, includes a major contract with Toshiba International Corp.

Toshiba, a global leader in electric generator technology, will fabricate and install equipment to increase the efficiency, output and reliability of the plant’s 312-megawatt hydroelectric units.

“This major investment will enhance the capability of the plant, increase the clean energy in Michigan, continue to generate cost-competitive power for our customers and optimize the Ludington facility for the growth of renewable energy in Michigan,” said John Russell Consumers Energy president and chief executive officer.

The National Hydropower Association (NHA) congratulated the company and Detroit Edison on the upcoming maintenance and upgrade of the plant.

“Projects like Ludington demonstrate how the hydropower industry can grow sustainably by increasing efficiency and adding generating capacity at existing facilities,” said Linda Church Ciocci, NHA’s executive director.

“With the right policies in place and with projects like Ludington in the pipeline, the U.S. could add 60,000 megawatts of new hydro capacity by 2025 and meet 20 percent of President Obama’s 80-percent clean energy goal by 2035.”

The new site features user-friendly navigation and includes residential and business energy efficiency rebates and incentives for 2011.

The rebates benefit customers who buy energy-efficient furnaces, air conditioners and appliances, and make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes and businesses.

In 2009, Consumers Energy launched energy optimization programs to help residential, commercial and industrial customers use electricity and natural gas more efficiently.

The programs support the company’s Balanced Energy Initiative, a comprehensive plan to meet the power needs of 1.8 million customers over the next 20 years.

The energy optimization programs also represent an expected $572 million investment over the next five years to help customers lower their bills and reduce their carbon footprints while also helping create more Michigan jobs.

Customers who took advantage of the company’s energy efficiency measures in 2009 and 2010 saved an estimated 389,000 megawatt-hours of electricity and 1.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas in first-year savings alone.
 

Michigan 2-1-1, a 24/7 confidential telephone referral service that helps people receive assistance with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling, transportation and other human services, is using funds from a $300,000 foundation grant to expand the program’s coverage area.  

Currently, Michigan 2-1-1 is working to add 17 counties located throughout the northeastern Lower Peninsula and the Thumb region to its coverage area. 
The program also has projects involving 13 counties in northwestern Michigan and three counties in western Michigan.

Michigan 2-1-1 is available to about 8.1 million residents.

“We look forward to disbursing the remaining funds during the first quarter as local projects deposit their match funds with regional call centers,” said Sherry Miller, director of Michigan 2-1-1.

In 2009, Michigan 2-1-1 received a grant from a donor-advised fund established by Consumers Energy’s parent company, CMS Energy, and held by the United Way of Jackson County.

For the past two years, the program has received the grant in separate $100,000 installments.  

“The company’s support underscores its conviction that all Michigan residents should have access to this critical service,” said Carolyn Bloodworth, Consumers Energy Foundation secretary/treasurer. “We’re making a difference by providing these grants to support basic needs programs and ensure some of Michigan’s most vulnerable residents get the help they need.”

For details, visit Michigan 2-11's website. 

She leads the company’s customer operations department, which includes the customer service call centers, billing group, energy optimization programs and other customer value programs.

Poppe’s appointment was effective Jan. 1. She is helping focus the company’s efforts to improve customer service and satisfaction, and increase the value that it provides to its 2.9 million customers.

“Patti is leading the strategic and tactical development of our efforts to work more closely with customers to meet their needs in a number of areas, primarily helping them to better control their energy costs,” said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of distribution and customer operations.

Prior to joining Consumers Energy, Poppe served as the director of regulated marketing for energy optimization at DTE Energy, where she also held positions in power plant management.  Previously, she held a variety of plant management positions during a 15-year career at General Motors Co.

The funds will support more than 60 projects at nature sanctuaries and plant preserves in southern Michigan.

“As one of Michigan’s largest landowners, we know caring for the state’s water, wetlands and wildlife is a serious responsibility,” said Carolyn Bloodworth, Consumers Energy Foundation secretary/treasurer.
“That’s why we’re continuing to support MNA and other organizations dedicated to preserving some of the state’s most breathtaking environmental gems.”

More than a third of the state’s nature sanctuaries will benefit from the grant and receive updated trails and new trail markings.

MNA is committed to the protection and maintenance of Michigan’s natural areas as well as natural history and environmental education.

“It’s important to remember that wherever you are in Michigan, you are never very far from an MNA nature sanctuary,” said Jeremy Emmi, MNA’s executive director. “This grant will help us continue our work to make nature accessible to everyone.”

The company has signed a contract for the balance of plant engineering, procurement and construction services with one of North America’s leading wind park builders, White Construction Inc.

This contract is anticipated to generate construction jobs and material purchases from within in Michigan.

Consumers Energy also signed a contract with GE-Prolec Transformers Inc. to provide electric transformers for a new substation that will serve the Lake Winds Energy Park.

“We’re please to move forward with the Lake Winds Energy Park by reaching agreements with these two companies,” said Linda Hilbert, Consumers Energy’s manager of renewable energy projects.

“We also appreciate the ongoing work by the Mason County Board of Commissioners, the planning and zoning department, the planning commission, and other key local and state agencies in support of this project.”

Consumers Energy’s first wind park is scheduled to begin operation in late 2012. The company has filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission for approval of these contracts as well as the previously-announced Vestas turbine purchase agreement.

The award, which comes from the Early Childhood Investment Corp. (ECIC), recognizes the company’s outstanding leadership and investment in Michigan’s school readiness movement.

ECIC commended the company for increasing its grant support for early childhood programs in Michigan to $330,000, a 70 percent increase from contributions made in 2009.

The grants come from a donor-advised fund to help support children’s basic needs and connect to Michigan’s Great Start Collaborative, a statewide initiative launched in 2005 to help communities coordinate resources to prepare children for success in schools.

The grants support early childhood initiatives throughout Michigan, including childcare scholarships in Ingham, Hillsdale and Grand Traverse counties along with Imagination Libraries in Jackson, Eaton and Clinton counties.

Consumers Energy is one of dozens of organizations and individuals working together in Jackson County on behalf of young children.

“Children are the best resource we have,” said David Mengebier, the company’s senior vice president of governmental and public affairs. “Not only is this the right thing to do from a corporate responsibility standpoint, but it helps prepare our kids to be successful in school as we begin training Michigan’s future work force.”

The SmartStreet program will introduce customers to new “smart” technology and highlight the company’s existing energy efficiency programs.

SmartStreet, which kicks off with a Dec. 3 media event, will showcase a two-block area of Grand Rapids and allow 60 residential and business customers in the city’s East Hills neighborhood to participate in the program.

“Participating customers will receive smart meters and be able to track their energy usage in near real-time through a website or via in-home displays,” said Sue Swan, Consumers Energy’s vice president for Smart Grid development.

SmartStreet will include the use of Energy Optimization programs-HVAC, energy efficient lighting and home weatherization along with energy audits for participating customers. It also will feature demonstrations of solar power generation and charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles.

The grant supports funding efforts for the council’s new Centennial Dining Lodge at Camp Gerber. 

“The Gerald R. Ford Council is very grateful for the continued support that the Consumers Energy Foundation has given to the scouts of our communities throughout the years,” said Suzie Blake, the council’s finance director.

 "This support has been both financial as well the time and talents of Consumers Energy employees who serve as scouting volunteers.”

In the past, the foundation has provided more than $90,000 to support the council. Part of that funding includes a $15,000 grant to support the development of the council’s headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mich., and 145 Volunteer Investment Program grants recognizing volunteer service by more than 50 utility employees and retirees.

“As a long-time volunteer at Camp Gerber and district camping committee chairman for the Boy Scouts, I am delighted that the Consumers Energy Foundation is supporting youth development through this grant,” said Bill Eckert, a senior human resources consultant lead at Consumers Energy’s Cobb plant in Muskegon, Mich.

The foundation provides funding for community and civic development programs. These grants focus on the welfare of communities and support projects with long-term benefits.

Last year, through grants to nonprofit organizations statewide, the company, its foundation, employees and retirees invested $3.3 million in our communities. Together, we donated $1.8 million to 55 local United Way organizations in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

Plus, the foundation awarded $211,000 in grants to 411 nonprofit groups on behalf of our employee and retiree volunteers, and more than $115,000 in matching funds to 36 higher educational institutions, 21 community foundations, and 43 food banks and pantries.

As part of the Consumers Energy on Campus program, volunteers visited Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Michigan Technological University, Wayne State University and Delta College.

They also visited middle schools and high schools in Alma, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Lansing, Muskegon, Oak Park, Kalamazoo and Saginaw as part of the company’s program, which educates students about energy safety, career opportunities, affordable and reliable energy and energy efficiency.

It targets students enrolled in science, technology, engineering and math classes. More than 3,000 students received information about Consumers Energy on Campus.

“Investing in youth now pays off years later,” said Mattie McKinney, Consumers Energy’s corporate diversity director. “We’re teaching students about our company and industry, so that we can attract them as employees in the future and have better relationships with them when they become our customers.”

The company recently contracted with Vestas-American Wind Technology Inc., to build, deliver and commission 56 turbines for the Lake Winds Energy Park in Mason County.

The 100-megawatt project — scheduled to begin operating in late 2012 — is a key step in the company’s $900 million plan to add 350 megawatts of company-owned wind generation capacity to its balanced energy portfolio.

The competitively bid contract requires approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

“Securing this agreement is a major milestone in the development of our first wind energy park and continues our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said president and chief executive officer John Russell.

Consumers Energy selected Vestas’ V100-1.8 megawatt turbine, which is designed to better harvest wind blowing at lower speeds. The turbines stand nearly 500 feet tall, from the base of the tower to the tip of the rotor blade in an upright position.

Vestas is scheduled to begin delivering the turbines in May 2012.

The two-year certification recognizes the fossil-fuel plant’s commitment to environmental education, community outreach and stewardship as part of the council’s "Corporate Lands for Learning Program."

The program encourages companies to adopt and implement environmental education and conservation programs for employees, students and community members.

Located in Essexville, Mich., Karn/Weadock is the second fossil-fuel plant to receive this certification at Consumers Energy. The company’s Campbell plant in West Olive, Mich., also holds this distinction.

"We do more than just generate electricity. Our 2,400-acre site serves as an excellent environmental learning laboratory with its natural trails, raptor rehabilitation center, butterfly garden, eagle nesting platform and falcon nesting boxes," said Barb Parker, Karn/Weadock manager of generation portfolio system owner development and recruitment. "This certification will help our plant expand and promote our programs to neighboring schools, colleges, scout troops and community organizations."

With its new certification, Karn/Weadock plans to offer additional site tours, collaborate with the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business and Education Partnership on community outreach programs, and work with local scout troops.

The company plans to buy two of the extended range plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) – one in March and one in April – about the time General Motors Co. will release the vehicle to dealerships in Michigan.

Consumers Energy and other electric utilities will provide the "fuel" for PEVs, which proponents say will help cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce dependence on foreign oil and provide thousands of new "green" jobs

"We’re very excited about finally seeing the rollout," said Scott Weber, Consumers Energy’s director of fleet services. "We’ve been anticipating this for some time, and now we’re getting to the point where we begin to see it happening."

The company has installed one PEV charging station at its Jackson, Mich. service center and plans to install two more in a parking structure at its One Energy Plaza headquarters, also in Jackson.

Of the 35 VIP grants, 26 grants that provide young people with the Five Promises identified by America’s Promise-The Alliance for youth were doubled through the Consumers Energy Foundation’s CEEPSACER Program. CEEPSACER (Consumer Energy Employees Providing Service Around Children’s Essential Resources) was established as part of Consumers Energy’s commitment to America’s Promise.

So far this year, VIP grants totaling $85,575 have been award to 177 different nonprofits in 48 counties in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula on behalf of 160 employees and 69 retirees.

Winners were recognized at a special ceremony at CMS Energy headquarters in Jackson, Mich., where they received plaques and personal congratulations from senior vice president of distribution and customer operations Dan Malone and senior vice president and chief compliance officer David Mengebier.

“These employees represent the best of who we are and what we’re about as a company,” Mengebier said. “They offer proof that getting results doesn’t mean sacrificing fairness, honesty or ethics.”

Recipients represent the diverse range of company departments, seniority, age, gender, race and geographic location.

The new site, which launched in October, provides details about rates, incentives, frequently asked questions and a “Get Plug-in Ready” checklist at www.consumersenergy.com/pev.

The new site provides details behind Consumers Energy’s PEV at-home charging rates and tools needed for PEV owners to make the transition to electric-vehicle ownership. The rates, approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission, took effect Nov. 1.

Consumers Energy’s PEV rate program includes a $2,500 incentive toward the installation of an in-home station for faster charging. Details on the incentive program, available for up to 2,500 customers, can be found on the website.