MOO-ving Michigan Forward

Since the earliest days of our more than 135 years serving Michigan, we at Consumers Energy have operated with farmers’ best interests in mind.

Today, farmers are helping us lead Michigan’s decarbonization efforts as the role of natural gas evolves. Together, we’re exploring how renewable natural gas, or RNG, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the planet.

We’ll need natural gas for decades to come ― and that’s why we’re investing to modernize our storage and distribution system. We also expect the role of natural gas to change, and RNG provides exciting opportunities to help the environment and the economy.

We’re already working with dairy farmers in the Grand Rapids and Battle Creek areas to begin producing RNG and to understand more about the potential of this innovative technology.

What is RNG?

RNG is renewable fuel, interchangeable with conventional natural gas. RNG is created by capturing methane from the decomposition of organic matter, such as cow manure, through anaerobic digestion.

Michigan dairy farms naturally produce animal waste that emits methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide, during decomposition. Biodigester facilities contain the manure and capture, clean and condition methane to produce RNG, which is safely delivered to customers through existing pipelines in our vast distribution network.

RNG feedstocks such as manure and waste gas are consistently available and can be converted into renewable energy on demand, making it a valuable renewable energy source to power vehicles, heat homes, power stoves and dry grain for farmers.

How does RNG help the planet?

RNG is a key piece of our pledge to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from our entire natural gas and production system ― including customers and suppliers ― by 2050. Consumers Energy plans to produce RNG in Michigan and make it accessible to customers seeking the most cost-effective clean fuel alternative to natural gas.

RNG can also support other environmental goals, including reduced nutrient run-off and improved water quality, organic waste management and diversion, groundwater protection and displacement of fossil fuels.

What’s happening now?

• In December 2021, we announced an agreement with Swisslane Farms, located in Kent County, to build a biodigester facility to produce RNG. Swisslane will supply manure from its dairy cows to the production facility, which means the manure would no longer be stored in open lagoons where it produces methane released to the atmosphere. Instead, the closed biodigester will hold the manure and capture the methane, clean and condition it, and place it in existing gas pipelines. Like traditional natural gas, it’s odorized while flowing through the system to ensure safety for customers, communities and our co-workers.
• We’re also working with Swisslane to develop a biodigester near Battle Creek. We originally bought nearly 3,000 acres at the Spring Creek farm straddling Calhoun and Barry counties as part of a plan to build a utility-scale solar power plant. Rather than shutter the farm’s existing dairy operations, we’ve partnered with Swisslane to keep the business running and provide fuel for a new biodigester to convert into RNG.
• We’re pursuing several additional opportunities to partner with dairy farms to develop biodigesters for RNG production throughout Michigan.

How can your farm help?

To learn more, email us at: agservices@cmsenergy.com