Consumers Energy Reaches Midpoint of $135 Million Environmental Project at J.H. Campbell Complex; Delivery of Major Components Expected to Start Next Week

PORT SHELDON, Mich., July 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy has reached the midpoint of a $135 million project to enhance the environmental performance of its J.H. Campbell Generating Complex in Ottawa County.

The three-year program involves the installation of equipment to further reduce the complex's emissions of small particulates, which contain trace amounts of mercury and sulfur found naturally in soil and coal.  The company is installing pulse jet fabric filters on the three coal-fired units at the Campbell Complex.

"Consumers Energy is pleased to play a key role in continuing the improvement in air quality in western Michigan. The air in our state is the cleanest it has been in 50 years and this major investment continues that progress, as well as creating jobs," said site general manager Tom Gesinski, who added that the utility is investing $1.5 billion on environmental projects at its major generating units.

Gesinski noted that the large components needed for the next phase of the project would start arriving next week.

The components will be delivered by barges to Consumers Energy's Pigeon Lake unloading area, with the first shipment scheduled to arrive on Monday.  Barges also are scheduled to arrive at the site on Aug. 15 and Aug. 29.

Recreational boaters on Pigeon Lake and those using the Michigan Department of Natural Resources boat launch on Pigeon Lake should be prepared for the commercial vessel traffic involved with the deliveries. Boaters also should be prepared for commercial traffic on other days, because weather could alter the delivery schedule.

The Angler Access (boardwalk) will be closed to the public Monday through Thursday each week that components are delivered and unloaded from the barges. The schedule calls for the Angler Access to be closed Monday through Thursday, then Aug. 15-18, and Aug. 29-Sept. 1.  That schedule could change if weather alters the delivery schedule for the equipment.

After the components are unloaded from the barges, they will be put on special heavy haul equipment and taken from the Angler Access area out to Margaret Avenue and follow Polk Street into the site's gate.  

That will affect local motorists by occasionally requiring traffic to be routed across the former Margaret Avenue Bridge to avoid traffic delays while the components are transported on Margaret and Polk. The bridge has been inspected and employees at the Campbell Complex are working with the Ottawa County Road Commission and sheriff's department to maintain traffic safety during the project.

"Safety is our top priority at Consumers Energy at all times. We're working with local officials to protect the safety of the public during the delivery of these large components and to minimize any inconvenience to our neighbors and the community," Gesinski said.

"We know drivers, boaters, and the local community share our concern for safety and support the substantial investments we're making to improve the environment in western Michigan.  We appreciate their patience in the coming weeks as these large components are delivered and we move forward with this project."

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, visit our Website at www.consumersenergy.com

SOURCE Consumers Energy