PR Newswire
JACKSON, Mich., March 25, 2019
JACKSON, Mich., March 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers
Energy and other stakeholders have filed a settlement with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on the company's
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) outlining a breakthrough Clean Energy Plan for Michigan. The plan
positions Consumers Energy as a national clean energy leader and demonstrates its commitment to people, the planet and
Michigan's prosperity. Today's settlement announcement – from a broad coalition of customer
groups, environmental organizations and the Michigan Attorney General – outlines the best plan
for Michigan's energy future.
![Consumers Energy Logo (PRNewsFoto/Consumers Energy) Consumers Energy Logo (PRNewsFoto/Consumers Energy)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/461461/consumers_energy_logo.jpg)
The company filed its IRP with the MPSC last June, which set the company's Clean Energy Plan in motion, outlining the path to
zero coal while ensuring affordable and reliable energy for Michigan families and businesses.
The plan details how the company will meet the state's energy needs with increased use of energy efficiency programs that save
customers money and energy, along with significantly more renewable energy.
"This breakthrough plan positions Consumers Energy and Michigan as a national clean energy
leader," said Patti Poppe, president and CEO of Consumers Energy. "The settlement enables our
Clean Energy Plan and puts us on the path to zero coal substituted by increased renewable energy – most notably solar – all done
in an affordable way through a competitive marketplace. Michigan will have one of the cleanest
and most affordable energy systems in the country through this standard-setting plan."
The settlement agreement supporting Consumers Energy's plan comes after more than a year of listening to key stakeholders'
ideas and input. The next step in the process is for the MPSC to review the settlement agreement.
The settlement includes:
- CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION: Carbon emissions would be reduced by more than 90 percent by 2040.
- RENEWABLE ENERGY: Consumers Energy's renewable energy supply would increase by 400 percent with the
addition of 5,000 megawatts of solar to the company's system through competitive bidding by 2030.
- COAL RETIREMENTS: The elimination of coal as a fuel source to generate electricity by 2040.
- AFFORDABLE ENERGY: The plan significantly ramps up Consumers Energy's successful energy efficiency
programs, which have already saved customers $2 billion since 2009. Through a competitive bidding
process, Consumers Energy will provide customers with the most affordable prices for new renewable energy sources.
"We're proud to be partnering with major business customers, residential advocates and environmental organizations to bring
the cleanest and most competitively priced energy to the people of Michigan so our home state
can grow and prosper," Poppe said. "We're grateful for the contributions of all stakeholders throughout this process and look
forward to the MPSC's decision on our plan."
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.
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.
View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-energy-achieves-broad-support-for-breakthrough-clean-energy-plan-files-settlement-300817680.html
SOURCE Consumers Energy