Consumers Energy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Consumers Energy

Type	Subsidiary
Industry	Electric utilities, Natural Gas Utilities
Founded	1886
Headquarters	Jackson, Michigan , United States
Area served	Michigan
Parent	CMS Energy

Consumers Energy is a company that provides natural gas and electricity. It serves about 6.7 million people in Michigan. This means they help power homes and businesses across 68 counties in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The company started in 1886 and its main office is in Jackson, Michigan. It is the main part of a bigger company called CMS Energy.

How Consumers Energy Started and Grew

One Energy Plaza, Jackson, Michigan

CMS Energy headquarters in downtown Jackson

Consumers Energy began in 1886 as Jackson Electric Light Works. It was founded by William A. Foote, Samuel Jarvis, and James B. Foote. Their first job was to install electric lights in downtown Jackson. Over time, the company grew by joining with other local electric, gas, and trolley companies.

In 1910, the company officially became Consumers Power Company in Maine. It later joined a large group of utility companies called Commonwealth & Southern Corporation. This group owned power companies in many states. After this group broke up in 1946, Consumers Power became an independent company again.

In 1968, the company moved its official registration to Michigan. It kept its headquarters in Jackson. Consumers Energy also ran Michigan's first nuclear power plant, the Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant, from 1962 to 1997. They also built the Palisades Nuclear Plant in 1971.

In 1968, Consumers Power started building a nuclear power plant in Midland, Michigan. This plant was mainly for the Dow Chemical Company. However, the project faced many problems and became very expensive. After a major nuclear accident in 1979 (the Three Mile Island accident), safety rules changed a lot. This meant the plant needed new designs. When problems were found with the building's foundation, Dow Chemical canceled its agreement. The nuclear plant project was stopped in 1984.

This huge project almost caused Consumers Power to go out of business. But in 1985, the company found a solution. They teamed up with eight other companies to change the unfinished nuclear plant into a natural gas power plant. This new plant, called the Midland Cogeneration Venture, started making power in 1991. Its success helped Consumers Power recover.

In 1997, the company changed its name to Consumers Energy. They also started investing in renewable energy. In 2011, they built a large wind farm in Mason County called Lake Winds Energy Park. By 2014, they built a second wind farm, Cross Winds Energy Park, in Tuscola County. By 2015, ten percent of their electricity came from renewable sources.

Consumers Energy also helps people save energy. In 2009, they started programs that offer rebates and rewards for homes and businesses that use energy wisely. Their well-known slogan is "Count on Us."

In 2018, Consumers Energy announced big plans to stop using coal for power by 2040. They aim to get 40% of their power from renewable power by then. Also in 2018, Consumers Energy became a main sponsor for a NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway. In December 2020, Garrick J. Rochow became the new President and CEO of CMS and Consumers Energy.

How Consumers Energy Delivers Power

Consumers Energy used to own the system that carries electricity over long distances. But because of new rules, they sold this system to another company called Michigan Electric Transmission Company (METC). This company is now part of ITC Holdings.

Consumers Energy still manages the power lines that deliver electricity to homes and businesses. These lines use different voltages, like 2.77/4.8Y, 4.8/8.32Y, and 7.2/12.47Y. They also keep some high-voltage lines for their own use.

Where Consumers Energy Gets Its Power

Consumers Energy gets its electricity from several sources. These include hydroelectric dams, wind farms, nuclear power plants, and power plants that use coal or natural gas.

Hydroelectric Power Plants

Consumers Energy owns 13 hydroelectric power plants, also called dams, on five rivers in Michigan. These dams were built between 1906 and 1935. Together, they can produce enough electricity for about 70,000 homes.

These locations are also popular for outdoor activities like canoeing, fishing, and bird watching. The dams are on the Au Sable River, Grand River, Kalamazoo River, Manistee River, and Muskegon River. The Webber Hydro on the Grand River has been running since 1907, making it the oldest. The Croton Hydro on the Muskegon River is even listed as a historic place.

Here is a list of Consumers Energy's hydroelectric power plants:

Pumped Storage Power

Consumers Energy also helps run the Ludington Pumped Storage Power Plant near Ludington. This plant was built between 1969 and 1973. It has a huge reservoir that can hold 27 billion gallons of water. This is like 2 million backyard swimming pools!

Nuclear Power

Consumers Energy used to operate the Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant near Charlevoix, Michigan. It ran for 35 years until it closed in 1997. This was Michigan's first nuclear power plant. It could produce 67 megawatts of electricity. The Palisades Nuclear Generating Station was also owned by Consumers Energy before it closed in May 2022.

Fossil Fuel Power Plants

Coal Power

Consumers Energy's largest power plant that uses coal is the J.H. Campbell plant. It is located between Holland and Grand Haven. Another coal-fired plant is the D.E. Karn generating station near Bay City. Other coal plants like Cobb, Whiting, and J.C. Weadock stopped operating in 2016. Consumers Energy plans to close all its remaining coal plants by 2025.

Natural Gas Power

The Midland Cogeneration Venture in Midland used to be owned by Consumers Power. It still provides power to Consumers Energy. The company plans to build more natural gas units as coal plants close.

In 2014, Consumers Energy bought the DPC Juniper power plant in Jackson, MI. It was renamed Jackson Generation Station. This plant can produce 540 megawatts of power. In June 2023, Consumers Energy also bought the Covert Generation Station. This plant in Van Buren County has a large capacity of 1,176 megawatts.

Consumers Energy also uses natural gas and oil units that can quickly start up to meet high demand. These include the Zeeland Generating Station and the Karn 3&4 Generating Station.

Natural Gas Delivery and Storage

Consumers Energy is a major natural gas provider in Michigan. Each year, they deliver about 373 billion cubic feet of natural gas to homes and businesses. The company buys all the natural gas it provides to its customers. They serve over 1.7 million customers through more than 27,000 miles (43,000 km) of pipelines.

Electric Vehicles

In early 2018, General Motors (GM) and Consumers Energy announced a partnership. They are working together to create "smart charging" technology for electric vehicle owners. Consumers Energy plans to get over 100 electric vehicles from GM. The two companies will test new ways to charge these cars. This technology will let car owners plug in their vehicles. But it will wait to charge them until nighttime, when energy use is lower. Consumers Energy will also invest $7.5 million to help build more electric vehicle charging stations across Michigan.

Helping the Community

Every year, Consumers Energy gives about $10 million to Michigan nonprofit groups. This money comes from grants, employee donations, and company giving. They have helped raise over $1.8 million for United Way's Michigan programs. They also organize fundraising events and employee volunteer activities. Consumers Energy supports early childhood development and education in Michigan. They have also received awards for their efforts to promote environmental education.

In 2013, The Salvation Army gave Consumers Energy the William Booth Award. This was to recognize the company's long history of helping others. They were especially recognized for their leadership in the PeopleCare program. Since it began, this program has provided $27 million in energy bill help to people in need.

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