Displaying items by tag: Consumers Energy
Lakeshore energy reinvention: From Ludington to Covert, the West Michigan lakeshore is undergoing a swift energy transition
CMS Energy, Spectrum Health partnering on solar array to help power GR rehabilitation facility
GRAND RAPIDS — CMS Energy and Spectrum Health West Michigan are partnering on a new solar energy project that will help meet the power needs at a planned 80-bed subacute rehabilitation center on the city’s northeast side.
Consumers, DTE sue contractor over ‘defective work,’ project delays in $500M Ludington pumped storage plant upgrade
Michigan’s two major electric utilities that jointly own the Ludington Pumped Hydro Storage power plant along Lake Michigan claim the contractor hired for a $500 million upgrade of the facility has “delivered defective work” and is failing to meet contractual deadlines.
Palisades owner details upcoming job losses tied to nuclear plant closure
COVERT — The owner of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Southwest Michigan disclosed last week that 184 jobs will be eliminated soon after the plant permanently closes on May 31.
Food producer The GFB to offset Kentwood facility’s power usage with renewables
KENTWOOD — Certified B Corp and food producer The GFB: The Gluten Free Bar is now participating in a Consumers Energy program to offset its Kentwood production facility’s electricity usage entirely with renewable energy.
People in the news: March 14, 2022
Here is the MiBiz People in the news report for March 14, 2022
Michigan EV registrations climb as state prepares millions for charging stations
Michigan electric vehicle registrations climbed nearly 60 percent over the past year, which comes as the state is preparing to deploy tens of millions of dollars for additional charging infrastructure.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Consumers Energy supporting EV charging rollout
Consumers Energy announced plans today that it will issue 200 rebates over the next two years to help offset the cost for site hosts to install electric vehicle charging stations.
Consumers Energy plans 200 more electric vehicle chargers over next 2 years
JACKSON — Consumers Energy plans to provide 200 rebates for electric vehicle charging stations in its Lower Peninsula service territory over the next two years.
State regulators approve special electric rates for Consumers, DTE to lure major automotive projects
Roughly a week after lawmakers passed a $1 billion program to incentivize major advanced automotive projects in Michigan, state energy regulators followed suit today by approving special electricity rates to support such industrial projects.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Major utilities propose economic development rates to attract major projects
Major investor-owned utilities Consumers Energy and DTE Energy are seeking expedited approval from state regulators to create new economic development electricity rates aimed at attracting major manufacturing projects.
Consumers, DTE seek special electric rates for large development projects
Michigan’s two largest investor-owned utilities seek to play a more active role in economic development — particularly in luring advanced manufacturing facilities to the state — with plans to offer new electricity rates for large expansion projects.
Holland, Big Rapids eyed for battery manufacturing developments
Advanced automotive battery suppliers are considering a pair of West Michigan cities for new or expanded manufacturing facilities, MiBiz has learned.
Editor's Notebook: Poking the utilities
The state Legislature has been active in recent weeks on energy bills being championed by West Michigan lawmakers.
Utilities launch campaign as advocates, lawmakers ramp up community solar pressure
Michigan’s two largest investor-owned utilities have launched an “education campaign” as clean energy advocates tout the potential economic benefits of community solar energy and as lawmakers consider bills on the topic that the utilities oppose.
Industrial electric customers could choose power supplier under new bill
A state lawmaker from West Michigan has introduced legislation that would give industrial electric customers an opportunity to select alternative power suppliers in what supporters say is an effort to reduce electric costs and attract investments.
With tight industrial inventory, developers turn to outlying metro areas
Low industrial real estate vacancy rates and ongoing construction backlogs are pushing industrial projects to more rural and outlying areas.
Four new solar projects set to come online next year for Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy expects to start purchasing power next year from four new solar projects that will add more than 100 megawatts of renewable energy to the utility’s generation mix.
Consumers Energy unveils ‘win-win’ solar project on former Cadillac brownfield property
CADILLAC — Consumers Energy has unveiled a new “brownfield to brightfield” solar project that converted formerly abandoned industrial property into a clean energy power source.
‘It’s complicated’: Advocates give Consumers Energy’s long-term plan mixed reviews
Environmental and ratepayer advocates are withholding their full-throated support for Consumers Energy’s new long-term energy plan that eliminates coal usage by 2025, citing concerns over potential rate effects and the scale of ongoing fossil fuel reliance.
Consumers Energy plans to close remaining coal plants by 2025
JACKSON — Michigan’s largest energy company announced today that it plans to phase out its remaining coal-fired power plants by 2025, which would be 15 years earlier than planned, as part of its updated long-term energy plan.
Consumers Energy to sell bank subsidiary in $960 million deal
JACKSON — CMS Energy Corp. plans to sell a Utah-based bank that specializes in home improvement lending nationwide.
Consumers Energy launches electric vehicle program for businesses
JACKSON — Investor-owned utility Consumers Energy has launched a new electric vehicle program that provides rebates and consultation to businesses looking to transition to electrified fleets.
Major utilities seek negotiations on rooftop solar bill
Michigan’s two major investor-owned utilities want to negotiate with state legislators and advocates on a proposed bill that would expand access to the companies’ rooftop solar programs.
Consumers Energy plans to ramp up electric vehicle fast-charging stations
JACKSON — Consumers Energy plans to help ramp up the number of fast-charging electric vehicle stations across the Lower Peninsula in the coming years to ensure EV drivers can travel longer distances while maintaining access to charging equipment.
Utilities chart renewable energy future as state mandates level off
Michigan’s mandates for renewable power and energy efficiency programs — first set in 2008 and slightly increased in 2016 — are scheduled to level off this year, although it may make little difference as the clean energy transition rolls on under market forces.
Renewable natural gas, battery storage to play key roles in low-emissions future
The ability to store intermittent renewable energy from wind and solar and capturing methane emissions from common waste streams to displace natural gas usage are two technologies poised to play a bigger role in a lower carbon future.
Lawmakers reintroduce legislation to expand rooftop solar program
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers has again proposed legislation backed by clean energy advocates to expand utility programs for customers who generate their own solar power.
6 West Michigan companies earn top grades for LGBTQ equality workplaces
GRAND RAPIDS — Six West Michigan corporations earned top scores in this year’s Corporate Equality Index rankings recently published by the Human Rights Campaign, showcasing the companies as among the best places to work for LGBTQ equality.
Utility foundations use deep nonprofit network to distribute millions in COVID relief funds
The corporate foundations of the state’s two major energy utilities have distributed nearly $26.5 million in direct relief funds to meet basic needs such as food, shelter and personal protective equipment since the COVID-19 pandemic began.