Michigan Businesses Work with Consumers Energy to Use Less Power on Summer's Hottest Days

JACKSON, Mich., June 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is meeting Michigan's energy needs with the help of over 100 large businesses that have pledged to reduce their energy use on this summer's hottest days.

"Businesses that use large amounts of energy can create a significant benefit for everyone by using less energy on even a few critical days each summer," said Brian Rich, Consumers Energy's senior vice president of customer experience and technology.

"A year after we closed our Classic Seven coal plants, this is just one example of the strategies we are using to ensure Michigan residents continue to have the energy they need, whenever they need it."

Consumers Energy's new business Demand Response program provides financial rewards to large businesses, such as factories or large municipal facilities, that are expected to reduce energy use at certain times on only a few days each year.

Consumers Energy is focusing on reducing energy use when the demand for energy is exceptionally high -- typically hot summer days when the cost to supply and deliver energy is generally much higher. That reduces the need to build power plants or purchase expensive power during these high-demand periods. Consumers Energy also offers its Peak Power Savers program to help households lower energy costs by cycling their air conditioners and using less energy at peak times.

"Demand Response has made our team more aware of our energy usage. We work together to meet our goals, watching our energy reduction in real-time. It's a great program," said Jim Cornell, wastewater division manager for the Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant, one of the participants in the new program.

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

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

Media toolkit

LEARN MORE: Businesses interested in Consumers Energy's new Demand Response program can call 800-500-6565.

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: Consumers Energy offers solutions for Michigan businesses large and small: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/businessmatters  

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS:

Households can lower energy costs this summer through Consumers Energy's new Peak Power Savers program: www.PeakPowerSavers.com

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

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