JACKSON,
Mich., April 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers
Energy and key stakeholders throughout Michigan have agreed on a settlement related
to the company's Clean Energy Plan, a sweeping proposal to stop
using coal as a fuel source for electric generation by 2025, making
the company one of the first in the nation to go coal-free.
The agreement, which requires regulatory approval, includes a
broad coalition of customer groups, environmental organizations,
the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) staff, energy
industry representatives, and the Michigan Attorney General and provides a
20-year blueprint to meet Michigan's energy needs while protecting the
environment for future generations.
"This is a historic commitment to lead the clean energy
transformation and create a brighter future for our state," said
Garrick Rochow, President and CEO of
Consumers Energy. "A diverse set of stakeholders came together to
endorse a Clean Energy Plan that will provide reliable and
affordable energy to customers for decades to come while protecting
the environment."
Consumers Energy updated its original 2018 Clean Energy Plan by
including the pledge to accelerate the elimination of coal to 2025,
among other benefits to customers and environment in its 2021 Clean
Energy Plan, filed with the MPSC last June. 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:
- COAL PLANT RETIREMENTS BY 2025: closes all three units
at the J.H. Campbell coal plant in
West Olive, Michigan in 2025 in
addition to two units at the D.E. Karn coal plant in 2023 (as per
the 2018 Clean Energy Plan) and will be among the first utilities
in the nation to go coal-free by 2025.
- RISE OF SOLAR: continues the rapid transition to clean,
renewable sources by adding nearly 8,000 megawatts (MW) of solar
power by 2040 ensuring 60 percent of our capacity comes from clean
sources.
- BATTERY DEPLOYMENT: accelerates energy storage from 2030
to 2024 with a total of 75 MW of energy storage by 2027, achieving
550 MW by 2040.
- SYSTEM RELIABILITY: ensures supply reliability through
the purchase of the Covert Generating Station in Van Buren County, a natural gas-fired power
plant.
- AFFORDABLE ENERGY: creates price stability and helps
customers save an estimated $600 million
dollars through 2040 compared to the 2018 Clean Energy Plan.
Consumers Energy would also continue its successful energy waste
reduction programs that have saved customers more than $4 billion since 2009. In addition, the company
has committed to continue to fund utility bill assistance programs
for low-income customers.
"Reaching consensus on this Clean Energy Plan moves Michigan toward a cleaner, more reliable
energy future while caring for our co-workers and communities
impacted," Rochow said. "We're grateful for the thoughtful,
positive 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 6.8
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.
Check out Consumers Energy on Social
Media
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SOURCE Consumers Energy