A New Year for Consumers Energy Brings More Sustainable Changes and Opportunities for Customers to Save

We have made some big commitments to protect the planet and serve nearly 7 million Michiganders, and 2023 will bring many changes that keep us, as your energy provider, and Michigan on the path to a carbon-neutral future.

We are moving closer to being coal free by 2025, powering the transformation that will allow more and more electric vehicles on our roadways, and reducing energy waste. At the same time, we’re committed to strengthening our systems against stronger storms, preventing potential attacks on technology, and increasing reliability and affordability for our customers.

We are building on our Clean Energy Plan, which calls for adding 8,000 megawatts of solar energy to our system by 2040. That will continue in 2023 as Consumers Energy closes our two coal-fired plants at the Karn facility in Bay County.

In 2023, we will be reaching out to communities and landowners across Michigan to demystify solar generating sites, invite them to be part of the solution to Michigan’s clean energy future and reap the rewards that come with hosting professionally constructed solar generating projects.

The ideal sites we are searching for are at least 500 acres on flat, treeless land in close proximity to existing electric transmission lines. Streamlined solar development ordinances in municipalities are also invaluable to draw the low-impact solar projects that create millions of dollars in tax revenue. Multiple landowners can combine their properties to reach the large tracts of land needed for commercially viable projects.

It takes between five and 10 acres to produce one megawatt of electricity and large-scale solar projects capable of generating about 100 megawatts of capacity provide the best value for customers. Potential locations for solar generating facilities include farm fields, brownfield sites and publicly owned properties. The clean energy future we envision extends to the automotive industry. We are ready to power emissions-free electric vehicles and keep Michigan at the forefront in innovation as it has been since the infancy of car production.

As electric vehicles sales continue to soar, Consumers Energy is accelerating Michigan’s electric vehicle transformation, committed to powering EV chargers for homes, businesses and along roads across the Lower Peninsula. This is part of Consumers Energy’s commitment to powering 1 million EVs in the communities we serve by 2030. Learn more: ConsumersEnergy.com/PowerMIDrive.

Since 2009, customers who have taken advantage of our energy efficiency programs have saved a whopping $4 billion on their energy bills. We have goals to reach even more customers this year, letting them know we are available to help them make their homes and businesses more cost effective to heat, to help identify ways to save money while keeping comfortable, and other ways to control energy costs.

These programs and upgrades, designed to provide comfort and savings to customers, will continue to be offered in 2023.

For example, customers are encouraged to sign up for a Home Energy Analysis, where saving energy costs is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

From our website, you can schedule an energy analysis to have an energy expert inspect your home where free upgrades can be installed, with approval. Afterward, you’ll receive report outlining how to further reduce energy use in your home. The energy saving products provided include high-efficiency LED light bulbs, faucet aerators and pipe insulation, with the potential of saving up to $250 in energy costs a year for the average home.

Business customers can also get in on the energy efficiency upgrades that provide savings.

Energy advisors are ready to help businesses discover savings through every step of their energy efficiency projects.

Consumers Energy offers rebates on over 450 products that deliver long-term energy savings while boosting safety, comfort and productivity that can offset the incremental cost of energy efficiency projects by up to 35%.

Visit our web pages specifically for businesses to learn more about the programs, explore rebates and even locate a contractor if needed. In addition, find articles about how other businesses, such as McLaren Healthcare and automotive supplier Auto-Cast, have improved efficiency and saved money by working with Consumers Energy experts.