The Future of Hydroelectric in Michigan

Consumers Energy is undertaking a review of our 13 hydroelectric facilities as part of our obligation to deliver safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy for our 1.8 million electric customers. We understand that many communities feel a strong connection to these facilities due to their history and role in tourism, recreation, and community identity. The community conversation regarding the facility near you is part of a broader effort to ensure our review looks at community impact.

Consumers Energy, as the owner and licensee, must file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a notice of intent to apply for a new license at least five years before the existing license expires. The current licenses expire within the next 12 to 22 years across the 13 hydroelectric facilities with 11 of those licenses expiring in 2034. Often licenses have 50-year terms assuming the licensed operations remain in compliance.

The upcoming community conversation allow us to share information and gain feedback from each community.

Many issues are addressed when considering relicensing a hydroelectric project. Issues involved include environmental, land, recreation, wildlife, water quality, and cultural and aquatic resource issues. Federal agencies, state agencies, and other interested parties engage in the process to ensure these issues are appropriately addressed, and participate in the extensive and detailed documentation, studies, reports, and meetings with the license holder. Consequently, this process takes many years.

FERC offers an education guide on the relicensing process and other comprehensive resources.

Consumers Energy will continue honoring the licensee arrangements that are in effect during the review of the hydroelectric operations. Also, we are the proud sponsors of several events along the rivers including the Au Sable Canoe Marathon. Our relationship to those events will continue during the review.

The Consumers Energy review of our 13 hydroelectric facilities is a company-initiated process independent of the state task force. The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force met in 2020 and 2021 at the direction of Governor Whitmer following the May 2020 failures of the dams in mid-Michigan to evaluate:

• The statutory structure, budget, and program design of the state's dam safety program;
• The adequacy of Michigan's dam safety standards; and
• The level of investment needed in dam infrastructure.

Some of the findings and recommendations from the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force Report may influence how state agencies participate in ongoing conversations about our hydroelectric operations.

Consumers Energy values public participation and will appreciate public involvement and input throughout the review process. Information pertaining to the community conversations and the facilities review process will be shared on this page.

All feedback received about our dams will be evaluated by top decision makers at Consumers Energy, and considered as we create a plan for the future of Michigan hydro power.