News Release

Statement from Consumers Energy on Company Efforts Related to the Coronavirus

Jackson, Mich. Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Consumers Energy continues to actively monitor the growing situation around the potential coronavirus cases in Michigan and Governor Whitmer’s activation of a state of emergency. In early February, Consumers Energy activated an existing internal team to prepare in the event the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19) becomes disruptive to Michigan communities, our customers or employees. Our plan, which is specifically designed for these types of situations, has been in place for three years and helps guide our actions.

As part of the activation, we have:

• Reviewed more than 60 business continuity plans to ensure readiness of business-critical functions.
• Reinforced with company employees who need to enter customers’ homes or businesses to thoroughly wash work surfaces before starting work and keep a 6-foot distance at all times.
• Communicated to customers if you have an appointment for service at your home and you become sick, please contact us to reschedule your appointment
• Implemented travel guidelines for our employees including prohibiting business-related international and domestic travel and requiring personal travel to impacted areas to require a 14-day work remote period
• Used technology to host remote meetings
• Encouraged employees to work remotely when possible
• Practiced and communicated social distancing, along with frequent hand washing and other hygiene guidance

We are confident our business continuity plans will keep electricity and natural gas flowing to Michigan homes and businesses as we respond appropriately to any potential risks.  

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

# # #
Media Contacts: Katie Carey, 517-740-1739, or Brian Wheeler, 517-788-2394